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Co-trimoxazole (Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole)

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Antibacterial Drugs Today

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Abstract

Trimethoprim is a synthetic agent, related to the antimalarial drug pyrimethamine and was first described in 1962. Whilst retaining some antimalarial activity, trimethoprim has powerful antibacterial properties. This latter effect is due to blockade of bacterial folic acid synthesis, and a combination of trimethoprim with a sulphonamide has a strongly synergistic antibacterial effect. Trimethoprim is used in combination with sulphamethoxazole (SMZ) which has similar pharmacokinetic characteristics. The combination of TMP and SMZ in a ratio of 1:5 is known as co-trimoxazole.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine (Sub-department of Communicable and Tropical Diseases), The University of Birmingham, England

    A. P. Ball

  2. Infectious Diseases Unit, City Hospital, Greenbank Drive, Edinburgh, EH10 5SB, Scotland

    J. A. Gray & J. McM. Murdoch

Authors
  1. A. P. Ball
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  2. J. A. Gray
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  3. J. McM. Murdoch
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© 1978 ADIS Press

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Ball, A.P., Gray, J.A., Murdoch, J.M. (1978). Co-trimoxazole (Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole). In: Antibacterial Drugs Today. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-8004-7_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-8004-7_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-85200-505-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-8004-7

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