Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: SULFATRIM versus SULFATRIM DS.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: SULFATRIM versus SULFATRIM DS.
SULFATRIM vs SULFATRIM-DS
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Sulfatrim is a combination of sulfamethoxazole, a dihydropteroate synthase inhibitor that blocks folate synthesis, and trimethoprim, a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor that blocks reduction of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate, resulting in sequential inhibition of bacterial folate metabolism.
Sulfamethoxazole inhibits bacterial dihydropteroate synthase, blocking folate synthesis. Trimethoprim inhibits bacterial dihydrofolate reductase, inhibiting reduction of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate. Sequential blockade of folate metabolism exerts bactericidal effect.
160 mg trimethoprim / 800 mg sulfamethoxazole (1 DS tablet) orally every 12 hours for 10-14 days.
One double-strength tablet (160 mg trimethoprim/800 mg sulfamethoxazole) orally every 12 hours.
None Documented
None Documented
Sulfamethoxazole: 9-11 hours (prolonged in renal impairment, e.g., up to 30 hours in severe renal failure). Trimethoprim: 8-10 hours (prolonged in hepatic impairment).
SMX: 9-11 hours (terminal); TMP: 8-10 hours; prolonged in renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min: up to 20-30 hours for both).
Renal (70-80% as unchanged sulfamethoxazole and N4-acetylated metabolite; 30-40% as unchanged trimethoprim), biliary/fecal (20-30% sulfamethoxazole; 10-20% trimethoprim)
Renal: 50-70% of total sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and 30% of trimethoprim (TMP) as unchanged drug via glomerular filtration and tubular secretion; 20-40% of SMX as N4-acetylated metabolite; biliary excretion accounts for <5%.
Category C
Category C
Sulfonamide Antibiotic
Sulfonamide Antibiotic