i-Base

cotrimoxazole

cotrimoxazole is combination two antibiotics (trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole). Tradenames include Septrin and Bactrim.

Abbreviations for this combination include SXT, TMP-SMX, TMP-SMZ or TMP-sulfa.

Cotrimoxazole is commonly used in HIV care as a prophylaxis against PCP and toxoplasmosis. Everyone with a CD4 count that is less than 200 cells/mm3 need to also take cotrimoxazole until their CD4 count becomes higher.

Different guidelines recommend continuing with cotrimoxazole at different CD4 counts, depending on which country you live in. Sometimes this is at 200, sometimes 350 and sometimes higher.

SeeĀ PCP and toxoplasmosis sections of the training manual.