Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: SULFATRIM versus TRIMETH SULFA.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: SULFATRIM versus TRIMETH SULFA.
SULFATRIM vs TRIMETH/SULFA
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.
Trimethoprim inhibits bacterial dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), blocking conversion of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate; sulfamethoxazole inhibits bacterial dihydropteroate synthase, blocking incorporation of para-aminobenzoic acid into folic acid. Sequential blockade of folate synthesis produces synergistic bactericidal effect.
160 mg trimethoprim / 800 mg sulfamethoxazole (1 DS tablet) orally every 12 hours for 10-14 days.
1 double-strength tablet (160 mg trimethoprim / 800 mg sulfamethoxazole) orally every 12 hours for 14 days.
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).
Trimethoprim: 8-11 hours; Sulfamethoxazole: 9-11 hours. Prolonged in renal impairment (up to 24-30 hours for both). Clinical context: Dosing interval is typically 12 hours in normal renal function; adjust in CrCl <15-30 mL/min.
Renal (70-80% as unchanged sulfamethoxazole and N4-acetylated metabolite; 30-40% as unchanged trimethoprim), biliary/fecal (20-30% sulfamethoxazole; 10-20% trimethoprim)
Trimethoprim: 50-60% unchanged in urine; Sulfamethoxazole: 15-30% unchanged in urine, with acetylation and glucuronidation metabolites. Approximately 80-90% of dose recovered in urine within 72 hours; remainder via feces.
Category C
Category C
Sulfonamide Antibiotic
Sulfonamide Antibiotic