TMP

Trimethoprim 300mg Tablets

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about TMP. It does not contain all
the information available on this medicine. It does not take the place of
talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have risks and benefits.
Your doctor has weighed the risks of using TMP against the benefits expected it
will have for you. If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your
doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet. You may want to read it again.

What TMP is used for and how it works

Your TMP tablets contain the active ingredient trimethoprim. It belongs to a
group of medicines known as antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of the
bacteria that is causing your infection.

TMP is used to treat and prevent infections of the urinary tract caused by
bacteria.

Your doctor may, however, prescribe TMP for another reason. Ask your doctor
if you have any questions about why TMP has been prescribed for you.

There is no evidence that TMP is addictive.

TMP is available on prescription from your doctor.

Before you take TMP

When you must not take it

Do not take TMP if:

• You are allergic to trimethoprim or any other ingredients listed at the
  end of this leaflet
• You have a severe blood disorder or anaemia
• You have severe kidney problems

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or
difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the
body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.

Before you take it

Tell your doctor:

• If you have a folate deficiency
• If you have kidney problems
• If you have liver problems
• If you have any type of blood disorder
• If you plan on becoming pregnant or you are pregnant
• If you are currently breastfeeding or wish to breastfeed.

Taking other medicines

If you are taking any other medicines, including any you get without a
prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop, tell your doctor
or pharmacist.

Medicines that may interfere with TMP include:

• Pyrimethamine, a medicine used to prevent malaria
• Warfarin, a medicine used to prevent blood clots
• Methotrexate, a medicine used to treat arthritis and some types of cancer
• Phenytoin, a medicine used to control epilepsy (fits or seizures)
• Digoxin, a medicine used to treat heart failure or to control a fast
  irregular heart beat
• Procainamide, a medicine used to correct an irregular heart beat or to
  slow an overactive heart beat
• Amantadine, a medicine used to treat Parkinson's disease
• Rifampicin, an antibiotic
• Cyclosporin, a medicine used to help prevent organ transplant rejection or
  to treat certain problems with the immune system

These medicines may be affected by TMP or may affect how well TMP works. You
may need different amounts of your medicines or you may need to take different
medicines.

Your doctor or pharmacist has more information which medicines you need to be
careful with or avoid while you are taking TMP.

How to take TMP properly

How much to take

Your doctor will tell you how much TMP you need to take each day. It is
important that you take TMP as directed by your doctor. Do not take more than
the recommended dose.

TMP can be taken with or without food. Taking TMP with food will help reduce
the chance of a stomach upset. TMP tablets are best taken before bedtime.

The usual daily dose of TMP to treat urinary tract infections in adults and
children over 12 years is 300mg once daily.

The usual daily dose of TMP to prevent urinary tract infections in adults and
children over 12 years is 100 mg once daily.

For children under 12 years, the dose of TMP will depend on the child's age
and weight.

The elderly and people with kidney problems may need smaller doses.

Some people may need to take folate supplements while taking TMP. These
people may include the elderly, people with folate deficiency and people taking
certain medicines.

Your doctor may tell you to take different doses to these. If so, follow
their instructions.

How long to take it

Your doctor will tell you how long they wish for you to continue TMP
treatment. This will vary depending on your infection. Check with your doctor if
you are unsure how long you should take TMP for.

If you forget a dose

If you forget a dose, just take the next dose when it is due. Do not take
more than one dose at a time to make up for missed doses.

Taking your medicine at the same time each day may help you to remember to
take it regularly. If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask
your pharmacist for some hints.

While you are taking TMP

Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are
taking TMP.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking TMP before you start any
new medicine.

Tell your doctor if you develop a skin rash or hives, or you become pregnant
while taking TMP.

If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you
are taking TMP.

If you are going to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are
taking TMP.

Do not take TMP to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you
to.

Do not stop taking TMP or lower the dose without first checking with your
doctor.

Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar
to yours.

Side effects

Tell your pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well
while you are taking TMP.

All medicines can have some unwanted effects. Sometimes they are serious,
most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of
the side effects.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and
they worry you:

• Stomach upset
• Nausea (feeling sick), vomiting
• Sore mouth

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience:

• Any type of skin rash, which includes redness and itching
• Tiredness which may occur together with headaches, sore mouth or tongue,
  weight loss or yellowing of the eyes or skin
• Signs of frequent infections such as fever, chills, sore throat or mouth
  ulcers

These side effects are rare but serious. You may need urgent medical
attention.

The list of side effects mentioned above is not complete. If you should
suffer from any of these side effects or any other undesired effect please tell
your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not
experience any of them.

In case of overdose

You should only take the number of tablets that you have been told.

Immediately contact your doctor or the National Poisons Information Centre
(0800 POISON or 0800 764 766) or go to the Emergency department at your nearest
hospital, if you think that you may have taken too much, or if anyone else has
taken any TMP by mistake. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or
poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Take the container of TMP
with you if you can.

Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.

Storage conditions

Do not take this medicine after the expiry date shown on the label or if the
packaging shows signs of tampering.

Keep your TMP tablets in the container until it is time to take them.

Store below 25°C and out of reach of children. Avoid exposure to heat, light
and moisture.

Do not store TMP, or any other medicine, in the bathroom or near a sink.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking TMP or if the tablets have passed the
expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with the remaining medicine.

Product Description

What TMP tablets look like

TMP 300mg tablets are white, round tablets marked "TM/300" on one side and
"G" on the other side.

Ingredients

Each TMP tablet contains the active ingredient, trimethoprim.

Each TMP tablet also contains lactose, magnesium stearate, povidone, sodium
starch glycollate, and purified talc.