Trimethoprim can i drink alcohol

Alcohol is also able to produce similar symptoms, if taken in excess, and this is one reason doctors may advise patients to avoid alcohol while using antibiotics. Potentially more serious is the possibility of severe problems occurring from an interaction between trimethoprim and alcohol. As of , the data shows that trimethoprim by itself does not appear to produce severe symptoms in the presence of alcohol. When used in combination with another antibiotic called sulfamethoxazole, however, the drugs may produce serious side effects in the presence of alcohol and people who take this combination therapy are commonly advised to avoid drinking.

Examples of the possible effects of the drugs on people who drink alcohol include a racing heartbeat, headache and temporary skin redness. Alcohol is a substance that produces an often pleasantly intoxicated effect on the user, but the body sees it as a toxin and breaks it down in the liver.

The enzyme that converts alcohol into another substance called acetaldehyde is alcohol dehydrogenase. Acetaldehyde also has toxic effects, and is broken down further into harmless molecules by another enzyme called acetaldehyde dehydrogenase.

If this enzyme does not work efficiently, levels of acetaldehyde can rise, and biological effects can occur. Potential effects include flushing of the face, problems breathing and a racing heartbeat. These symptoms occur in people who naturally do not produce a lot of acetaldehyde dehyrogenase such as southeast Asians, as alcohol was not a cultural part of their early evolution. These symptoms can also occur in people who take antibiotic medications combining trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, even if they have naturally high levels of the enzyme.

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose as normal. Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one. If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you.

You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine. Taking an extra dose of trimethoprim by accident is unlikely to harm you, but it may increase the chances of temporary side effects, such as feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.

You're unlikely to get side effects from trimethoprim. Some people get itching or a skin rash, but this is usually mild and goes away after you stop taking the medicine. The most common side effects with trimethoprim are itching or a mild rash. They happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects bother you or don't go away. In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction to trimethoprim.

Trimethoprim isn't the safest antibiotic to take in pregnancy. Doctors generally agree you should take it only if the benefits outweigh the risks. It's been linked with a small risk of problems for the unborn baby if it's taken in early pregnancy. A substance called folic acid is important for the normal development of an unborn baby. Pregnant women are routinely advised to take a mcg folic acid supplement every day for the first 12 weeks.

Trimethoprim lowers levels of folic acid in the bloodstream. If you take this medicine during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, your doctor will probably prescribe a high dose of folic acid 5mg daily for you to take along with the trimethoprim. There are no known risks to a pregnant woman or her unborn baby from taking trimethoprim after the first 12 weeks.

For more information about how trimethoprim can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, read this leaflet on the Best Use of Medicines BUMPS website. You can breastfeed while taking trimethoprim. Trimethoprim passes into breast milk, but only in tiny amounts that aren't harmful to the baby. Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before starting trimethoprim:.

Typhoid vaccine given by mouth may not work properly if you're taking trimethoprim. This doesn't apply to typhoid vaccines given by injection. There are no known problems with taking herbal remedies and supplements with trimethoprim. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. Trimethoprim kills bacteria by stopping them making a substance called folic acid, which they need to survive.

This is why trimethoprim can sometimes cause low folic acid levels in your blood over time. It's important that you keep taking trimethoprim until your course is finished. Do this even if you feel better - it'll help stop the infection coming back. Tell your doctor if you don't start feeling better after taking trimethoprim for 3 days, or at any time if you start to feel worse. Some people get a fungal infection called thrush after taking a course of antibiotics like trimethoprim.

It happens because antibiotics kill the normal harmless bacteria that help to protect you against thrush. There's no firm evidence to suggest that taking trimethoprim will reduce fertility in either men or women. But if you're a woman and trying to get pregnant, talk to your doctor first as this medicine is usually not recommended in pregnancy. Trimethoprim doesn't stop contraception working, including the combined pill and emergency contraception.

But if trimethoprim makes you sick or have severe diarrhoea 6 to 8 watery poos in 24 hours for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy.

Read more about what to do if you're on the pill and you're being sick or have diarrhoea. It's unlikely that drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry supplements helps treat or prevent urinary tract infections.

It's possible that a straightforward urinary tract infection may clear up on its own without any treatment. But it's usually best to treat a urinary tract infection with an antibiotic or it could spread to the kidneys and lead to more serious problems. Once treated, there are many steps you can take to stop urinary tract infections coming back:. Page last reviewed: 26 November Next review due: 26 November Trimethoprim On this page About trimethoprim Key facts Who can and cannot take trimethoprim How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About trimethoprim Trimethoprim is an antibiotic. Trimethoprim is usually taken twice a day to treat infections. For most infections, you'll feel better within a few days.

Side effects may include itching or a mild skin rash, but these are usually mild and short-lived. You can drink alcohol while taking trimethoprim. There are no brand names for this medicine at the moment.

Trimethoprim can be taken by adults and children. To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to trimethoprim or any other medicines in the past have liver or kidney problems have anaemia or low amounts of folic acid folate in your blood have porphyria a rare inherited blood disorder or any other blood disorder are trying to get pregnant or already pregnant.

The usual dose of trimethoprim to: treat UTIs is mg twice a day - your doctor might recommend you double the first dose to mg prevent infections is mg once a day treat cystitis that comes on after having sex is a one-off dose of mg treat acne is mg twice a day - this dose might be reduced over time The dose of trimethoprim you need to take depends on your illness, your age, and how well your kidneys work.

Important Carry on taking this medicine until the course is completed, even if you feel better. If you stop your treatment early, your problem could come back. How to take it Swallow trimethoprim tablets whole with a drink of water.

How long to take it for The length of time you'll need to take trimethoprim for depends on how bad and where your infection is, your age, whether you're male or female, and whether you have any other health problems. Women with straightforward UTIs usually take a 3-day course of treatment. Men and pregnant women with straightforward UTIs usually take a day course of treatment.

People with particularly severe or complicated UTIs, or a catheter, usually take a day course of treatment.

A treatment course for 4 to 6 weeks could be needed if the UTI causes swelling of the prostate gland in men prostatitis. Treatment may continue for at least 6 months for preventing UTIs or as a treatment for acne.

What if I forget to take it?