Healthy Matters
Resources
  • Healthy Matters
    Drugs A-Z
    Pharmacist Tips | Dosages | Side effects
  • Healthy Matters
    Food & Nutrition
    Nutritionist Tips | Facts | Precautions
  • Healthy Matters
    Chinese Medicine Herbs
    Practitioner Tips | Dosages | Side effects
  • Healthy Matters
    Chinese Medicine Prescriptions
  • Healthy Matters
    Expert Advisory Board
Articles
  • Healthy Matters
    Specialists Guide
  • Healthy Matters
    Other Services Guide
  • Healthy Matters
    Vaccination
  • Healthy Matters
    Parenting Guides
Health Topics
  • Healthy Matters
    Allergy & Immunology
  • Healthy Matters
    Baby & Child's Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Beauty
  • Healthy Matters
    Bone & Muscle Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Cancer & Tumor
  • Healthy Matters
    Common Illnesses
  • Healthy Matters
    Digestive Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Eye Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Fitness
  • Healthy Matters
    Food & Nutrition
  • Healthy Matters
    Heart & Vascular Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Infectious Diseases
  • Healthy Matters
    Medical Tests
  • Healthy Matters
    Mental Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Pregnancy
  • Healthy Matters
    Respiratory Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Sexual Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Skin Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Urological Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Women's Health
Healthy Offers
Health Check
  • Basic Health Screening for $1600 (Original: $3,120)
    Trinity Medical Centre
  • Premier Health Screening (Female) for $4,500 (Original: $9,120)
    Trinity Medical Centre
  • Premier Health Screening (Male) for $4,200 (Original: $8,760)
    Trinity Medical Centre
  • Stroke Risk Assessment for $7,100 (Original: 9,430)
    Trinity Medical Centre
  • Cardiac & Coronary Assessment for $5,800 (Original: $8,330)
    Trinity Medical Centre
  • Bone Health Screening for $1,600 (Original: $2,990)
    Trinity Medical Centre
Eye Health
  • Myopia Control Assessment for Children : Privileged Price - HK$400
    Clarity Eye Centres
  • Comprehensive Eye Examination Plan for Adult - HK$500
    Clarity Eye Centres
  • Comprehensive Eye Examination Plan (For SMILE PRO) - HK$400
    Clarity Eye Centres
  • Comprehensive Eye Examination Plan (For ICL) - HK$580
    Clarity Eye Centres
Healthy Matters
Search All
  • Healthy Matters
    Doctors
    Specialty | Address | Phone number
  • Healthy Matters
    Clinics
    Opening Hours | Address | Phone number
Popular Locations
  • Healthy Matters
    Central
  • Healthy Matters
    Tsim Sha Tsui
  • Healthy Matters
    Mong Kok
  • Healthy Matters
    Causeway Bay
Healthy Matters
Home
>
Western medicines > Co-trimoxazole

Co-trimoxazole

Chinese name:
複方新諾明
Kenny Cheuk Yin Cheung, Pharmacist
Medically reviewed by
Kenny Cheuk Yin Cheung, Pharmacist
Last Updated: 2022-05-04

What is Co-trimoxazole for?

Co-trimoxazole is a combination antibiotic of two antibacterial medicines – Trimethoprim and a sulfonamide medicine called Sulfamethoxazole. Both medications have synergistic activity and work by inhibiting the growth of bacteria. Co-trimoxazole is used to treat various bacterial infections, such as traveller’s diarrhoea, pneumonia, bronchitis and infections of the urinary tract, ears, and intestines.

How to use it?

Co-trimoxazole is available as tablets, capsules and suspensions which are taken orally with food. It is usually given 2-4 times daily.

 

Traveller’s diarrhoea
Adult
Sulfamethoxazole 800 mg + Trimethoprim 160 mg taken by mouth every 12 hours for 5 days.

 

Urinary tract infections
Adult
Sulfamethoxazole 800 mg + Trimethoprim 160 mg taken by mouth twice daily for 3 days.


Child
Sulfamethoxazole 40 mg per kg body weight, plus Trimethoprim 8 mg/kg body weight per day, divided every 12 hours. Taken by mouth for 10 days.

What are the side effects of Co-trimoxazole?

Common side effects of Co-trimoxazole include headache, diarrhoea and nausea. Report to your doctor immediately and do not take any more if you experience skin rash or itchiness.

Who should not take Co-trimoxazole?

  • People who are allergic to Co-trimoxazole or any component of the formulation.
  • People who are allergic to sulfonamide medications.
  • Infants younger than 2 months of age.
  • Patients with reduced liver function or liver failure.
  • Patients with a history of megaloblastic anaemia due to folate deficiency.

Pharmacist Tips:

  • This medication may cause photosensitivity. Use sunscreen and avoid tanning beds and prolonged exposure to sunlight.
  • If you experience symptoms like skin rash or blistering of the skin, report to your doctor immediately.
  • Drink plenty of water to replace any lost fluids due to diarrhoea.

Common dosing schedule:
Co-trimoxazole should be taken every 12 hours, once in the morning and once at bedtime. Co-trimoxazole is best taken with food or a drink.

 

This schedule is for reference only, adjustments may be made according to individual needs.

 

Some common medications Co-trimoxazole may interact with:

  • Methotrexate
  • Antibiotics, e.g. Dapsone, Sulfonamides
  • Warfarin
  • Digoxin

Please notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the above medication, dosage adjustments might be needed.

Where to buy Co-trimoxazole in Hong Kong?

In Hong Kong, Co-trimoxazole is a prescription only medicine, and requires a prescription from a doctor to be purchased in a pharmacy. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.

 

For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk

Need more information?

For detailed information about the use of Co-trimoxazole in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for questions about drug interactions, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.

Disclaimer: our goal is to provide you with the most relevant drug information and common dosage for Hong Kong. This information does not constitute medical advice. For specific treatment recommendations and advice, always discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow the instructions included with your specific medicine.

Healthy Matters

Your health resource, made in Hong Kong

Healthy Matters is Hong Kong’s leading health resource. Our mission is to help you make better health decisions and take control of your health.

 

Our team of experts is committed to producing reliable health content that is accurate, engaging and relevant, to cover your health & wellness journey from prevention to treatment.

 

Whether you are looking for trusted information on health conditions, wellbeing or looking for the right doctor or service in Hong Kong, we’re here to help!

 

Your health matters. Begin your health journey with Healthy Matters today!

 

Read about our story

illustrations of a doctor and a mobile phone