​Pharmacology - Co-trimoxazole

​Pharmacology - Co-trimoxazole 
Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole both prevent bacteria from making DNA by blocking their folate metabolism.

Action Technique 
The enzyme dihydropteroate synthetase is competitively inhibited by sulfamethoxazole. Trimethoprim stops folate from being converted to tetrahydrofolate by blocking dihydrofolate reductase.

Administered intravenously or orally. While sulfa medicines can penetrate inflammatory exudates, they become ineffective when pus is present.

Medical  Uses 
Pneumocystis pneumonia, nocardiasis, toxoplasmosis, urinary tract infections, and severe cases of chronic bronchitis (acute exacerbations). For infections of the urinary tract, lungs, and prostate, trimethoprim is the drug of choice.

Potential Side Effects 
Indigestion, skin irritations. Exceptionally rare and grave:
Stevens-Johnson syndrome, blood dyscrasias, toxic epidermal necrolysis, photosensitivity.