How Genes Influence Co-Trimoxazole Allergy?
What Is Co-Trimoxazole?
Co-trimoxazole is a sulfonamide drug that is a?combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim.?
This drug is used to treat bacterial infections like pneumonia, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, and infection of the ears and intestines. Co-trimoxazole is also?used to treat ‘traveler’s?diarrhea.
Co-trimoxazole is also used to treat some fungal and parasitic infections.
This drug may be given orally or via intravenous (IV) infusion.?
What Is Co-Trimoxazole Used For?
Co-trimoxazole is used for a variety of bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections, including:
How Does Co-Trimoxazole Work?
Co-trimoxazole works by?inhibiting the growth?of bacteria, fungi, and parasites, thereby preventing the spread of the infection.
This drug is not effective against viruses and diseases caused by them.
How Long Does It Take For Co-Trimoxazole To Work?
The co-trimoxazle dose usually prescribed for adults is two tablets, twice a day.
Depending upon the infection, you may need to take?co-trimoxazole for three to seven days.?
The dosage and duration of co-trimoxazole in children depend upon their age, body weight, and the nature of the condition.
Side Effects Of Co-Trimoxazole
Despite its efficacy in treating several bacterial infections, co-trimoxazole is often preceded by simpler antibiotics due to its side effects in some people.
Common?side effects observed with co-trimoxazole?include
If you experience any side effects after taking co-trimoxazole, inform your doctor immediately.
Some severe side effects of co-trimoxazole that require immediate medical attention include:
Does Co-Trimoxazole Cause Liver Damage?
Trimethoprim in co-trimoxazole does not cause hepatic damage, but?sulphamethoxazole is known to cause liver injury.?
So, co-trimoxazole increases the risk of liver damage in some individuals.
Co-Trimoxazole: Interactions With Other Drugs
Co-trimoxazole interacts with several drugs, so you must always inform your doctor about all medications you are currently taking.?
Some?interactions of co-trimoxazole with other drugs?include
Cyclic antidepressants
These are a class of drugs used to treat and manage major depressive disorder.?
When co-trimoxazole is taken with cyclic antidepressants, there is a possible decrease in the latter's efficacy.
Cyclosporin
This drug is a calcineurin inhibitor and is used as an immunosuppressant drug to treat various diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and nephrotic syndrome and prevent rejection in transplant cases.
When cyclosporin is taken with co-trimoxazole, reversible nephrotoxicity has been reported in renal transplant patients.
Digoxin
This drug is used to treat cardiac conditions like?irregular heart rhythm and heart failure.
Taking digoxin concomitantly with co-trimoxazole increases the concentration of digoxin in geriatric patients.?
This may increase the side effects of the drug.
Diuretics
Diuretics or water pills are commonly?used antihypertensive medications?that increase urine production and enable sodium excretion.
Taking co-trimoxazole with diuretics (especially thiazides) raises the possibility of thrombocytopenia (a severe decrease in platelet count) and purpura.?
This is usually observed in the geriatric population.
Oral hypoglycemics
These drugs are used in individuals with diabetes.
When oral hypoglycemics are taken with co-trimoxazole, the combination increases the risk for hypoglycemic complications in these individuals.
Indomethacin
This?is an NSAID drug?used to relieve moderate pain, tenderness, and swelling in joints caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and other similar joint pains.
Taking indomethacin with co-trimoxazole may increase the sulfamethoxazole concentration and its side effects.
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Methotrexate
This drug is a chemotherapeutic agent and an immunosuppressant used to treat many autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Co-trimoxazole must be avoided in people with methotrexate as it increases the concentration of free methotrexate.
As a result, the efficacy of methotrexate is reduced.
Phenytoin
This drug is used in the treatment of epilepsy.
When phenytoin is taken with co-trimoxazole, the latter may inhibit the metabolism of phenytoin and increase its half-life, increasing the risk of its side effects.
Warfarin
Warfarin is a commonly used blood thinner.
Possible inhibition of warfarin metabolism and clearance may be seen when consumed with co-trimoxazole.
Warfarin dosage may need to be adjusted if it is taken with co-trimoxazole.
Can You Be Allergic To Co-Trimoxazole?
Individuals who are?allergic to sulphonamides or trimethoprim?can be allergic to co-trimoxazole.
Genetics Of Co-Trimoxazole Allergy
GCLC?Gene and Co-Trimoxazole Allergy
rs761142 is a single nucleotide polymorphism or?SNP in the glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) gene.
This SNP is associated with sulfamethoxazole-associated hypersensitivity in HIV/AIDS patients.
Individuals having the?CC genotype have a greater risk of developing drug hypersensitivity?when treated with sulphamethoxazole than those with the AA genotype.
In another study conducted, individuals having the minor G allele of rs761142 ad a greater risk of developing sulfamethoxazole hypersensitivity than those with the T allele.?
Each minor G allele copy?increased the risk of hypersensitivity by 1.9 fold.
HLA and Co-Trimoxazole Allergy?
rs41554616 is an SNP located between?HLA-B?and?MICA?genes.
This SNP is associated with?co-trimoxazole-induced severe cutaneous adverse reaction (SCAR).?
HLA-B?13:01 allele in the rs41554616 has been strongly linked to the development of SCAR in Asians.?
Recommendations To Use Co-Trimoxazole
Drug Allergies
If you are allergic to co-trimoxazole, sulfonamides, or trimethoprim, you must?inform your doctor?before taking the drug.
Some common symptoms of allergy to co-trimoxazole include cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fever, and other respiratory symptoms.
Megaloblastic Anemia (folate or G6PD deficiency)
Co-trimoxazole is not recommended in individuals with megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency.
People with G6PD deficiency?may experience hemolysis?when they take co-trimoxazole and must avoid the drug.
Children Below 2 Years of Age
Co-trimoxazole’s safety and efficacy have not been established in the pediatric population below two years of age.?
So, it is not advisable to prescribe this drug to this age group.
Pregnant and Lactating Women
Sulfonamides are known to cause?kernicterus in newborns,?so co-trimoxazole is contraindicated in pregnant women.
Since sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim can pass into breast milk, co-trimoxazole is?contraindicated in lactating and nursing women.
Geriatric Population
Co-trimoxazole is contraindicated in older adults, especially those with impaired hepatic or renal function.?
These individuals may be at an increased risk for adverse reactions.
Summary
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