What is soltrim and what is it for?

What is soltrim?

Soltrim® is the trade name of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, manufactured by theBruluart, S. A. group. (1). It is a medicine used as a treatment in acute bacterial infections, avoiding life-threatening complicationsin patients.

Note: To achieve their survival, bacteria synthesize tetrahydrofolic acid to achieve the production of amino acids and nucleic acids. Both trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole inhibit different steps of this metabolic pathway, preventing bacterial replication. (2)

It should be noted that soltrim® comes in asuspension of 40 mg of trimethoprim and 200 mg of sulfamethoxazole, in a bottle of 120 ml and with a measuring cup of 5 ml.

Moreover, it also comes in tablets of 80 mgof trimethoprim and 400 mg of sulfamethoxazole, as well astablets of 160 mg and 800 mg, respectively. The dose and duration of treatment depend on the infection to be treated.

What is soltrim for?

Soltrim® is useful forinfections withgram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, as well as those that do not fall into the above categories, and some protozoa. Next, we will name the most common:

1. Respiratory infections

Respiratory Diseases include chronic bronchitis or pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii (formerly Pneumocystis carinii ), as well as infections by Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus sp., Moraxella catarrhalis and K. pneumoniae among other pathogens.

To highlight: The treatment in this type of pneumonia is one daily tablet of soltrim® every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days.

2. Gastrointestinal infections

. The drug can be administered orally or intravenously.

You should know: In children with acute infections, the recommended Soltrim® dose of 8-10 mg/kg/day of solution should be administered.

3. Urinary infections

spp, enterobacteriaceae and

Note: The treatment dose with soltrim® consists of one tablet every 12 hours for 14 days (or 2 to 3 months, in case of chronic infection).

4. Skin and eye infections

Soltrim Side Effects

Soltrim® can generate many adverse reactions , below we will mention the most serious and frequent:

• Stevens Johnson syndrome (life-threatening skin rash) and hives.
• Alterations of The Nervous Systemtag. May cause neuropathy including peripheral neuritis, conjunctivitis, or photosensitivity.
• Hyperkalemia and hyperglycemia (elevation of potassium and blood sugar, respectively).
• Disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract, such as diarrhea and vomiting.

Important: In the event of any of the aforementioned side effects, it is necessary to discontinue the use of soltrim® and request immediate attention from your treating physician.

Soltrim contraindications

Under certain conditions, the possible therapeutic benefit is lessthan the risk associated with the use of this medicine. Therefore, below we will name the most common soltrim® contraindications:

• Known hypersensitivity to soltrim®.
• Patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency (high concentrations of the drug accumulate).
• History of megaloblastic anemia or folate deficiency.
• Pregnancy and lactation. Soltrim® has a toxic effect on the embryo and can be transported through breast milk to the newborn. (4)
• Children under 2 months of age.

To highlight: Before starting treatment with Soltrim®, it is advisableto inform the doctor about the health conditions that the patient presents, in order to avoid unwanted reactions.

Key Findings

• Soltrim® is a medication used for skin, eye, respiratory,genitourinary infections.
• Soltrim® comes in mg and 160/800 mg tablets, solution. 
• Among its most common side effects are gastrointestinal discomfort, nervous disorders and skin rashes .
• Before starting a treatment with soltrim®, you need to know the contraindications (hypersensitivity, for example) to avoid unwanted reactions.