• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
• Uncomplicated otitis media in children.

Unlabeled Uses:

• Prophylaxis of chronic recurrent urinary tract infections.
• Mild to moderate Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (in combination with dapsone).

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity
• Megaloblastic anemia secondary to folate deficiency.

Use Cautiously in:

• Renal impairment (dose ↓ required if CCr 30 mL/min)
• Debilitated patients
• Severe hepatic impairment
• Folate deficiency
• OB: Use during pregnancy only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential fetal risk
• Lactation: Use while breastfeeding only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential risk to infant
• Pedi: Children <12 yr (effectiveness as a single agent not established); children <6 mo (safety and effectiveness not established).

Derm: pruritus, rash.

GI: altered taste, epigastric discomfort, glossitis, nausea, vomiting, drug-induced hepatitis.

Hemat: megaloblastic anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia.
Misc: fever.

Drug-Drug:

• ↑risk of folate deficiency when used with phenytoin ormethotrexate.
• ↑risk of bone marrow depression when used with antineoplastics or radiation therapy.
• Rifampin may ↓ effectiveness by ↑ elimination.

(Generic available)

• Tablets: 100 mg; 200 mg;
• In combination with: sulfamethoxazole. See trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole monograph.

Urinary Tract Infections

• PO (Adults and Children 12 yr): 100 mg every 12 hr or 200 mg as a single daily dose.

Otitis Media

• PO (Children >6 mo): 5 mg/kg every 12 hr.

Prophylaxis of Chronic Urinary Tract Infections

• PO (Adults): 100 mg/day as a single dose.

Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia

• PO (Adults): 20 mg/kg/day for 21 days.

Primsol

• Interferes with bacterial folic acid synthesis.

• Bactericidal action against susceptible organisms.

Spectrum:

• Some gram-positive pathogens, including:
  • Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
• Gram-negative spectrum includes the following Enterobacteriaceae:
  • Enterobacter,
  • Escherichia coli,
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae,
  • Proteus mirabilis,
• Also active against Pneumocystis jiroveci.

Therapeutic Classification: anti-infectives

Pharmacologic Classification: folate antagonists

Absorption: Well absorbed following oral administration.

Distribution: Widely distributed.

Metabolism/Excretion: 80% excreted unchanged in the urine; 20% metabolized by the liver.

Half-life: 8–11 hr (↑ in renal impairment).

(plasma concentrations)

• Instruct patient to take medication and to finish medication completely as directed, even if feeling better. Take missed doses as soon as remembered, with subsequent doses spaced evenly apart. Advise patient that sharing of this medication may be dangerous.
• Advise patient to notify health care professional if skin rash, sore throat, fever, mouth sores, or unusual bleeding or bruising occurs. Leucovorin (folinic acid) may be administered if folic acid deficiency occurs.
• Instruct patient to notify health care professional if symptoms do not improve.
• Advise females of reproductive potential to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding. Fetal exposure during pregnancy may affect folate metabolism.
• Emphasize the importance of routine follow-up exams to evaluate progress.

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