Trimethoprim
Order Consultation for Cystitis Treatment

Trimethoprim is one of the first line antibiotic treatments for cystitis. A short course of Trimethoprim treats cystitis and reduces the risk of recurring infections.
To place an order, fill in our brief questionnaire. You can choose a preferred treatment, such as Trimethoprim.
One of our doctors will check if the medication is suitable for you and issue your prescription to a local pharmacy in Ireland or your home address.
A consultation for cystitis treatment prescription costs €21.50.



About Trimethoprim
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Trimethoprim is a broad range antibiotic, mainly used to treat bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs). Urine is produced in the kidneys, temporarily held in the bladder and then passed through the urethra (the urine tube). Infection usually starts at the exit of the urethra, which is at the tip of the penis in men, or in the vaginal fold in women. If untreated, the infection can travel inwards into the bladder and then to the kidneys, where it becomes much more serious. Trimethoprim targets bacterial infections of the urethra and bladder (Urethritis and Cystitis) before they reach the kidney.
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Trimethoprim prevents bacteria from taking up folic acid and therefore interferes with their reproduction. In the same way, it also prevents your body from absorbing folic acid, which is why Trimethoprim must not be taken during pregnancy.
The infection symptoms should disappear within a few days. However, you must complete the full 3-day course of antibiotics to prevent the infection from recurring.
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You may feel better within a day of taking Trimethoprim tablets. One course of Trimethoprim will last three days, after which you should have noticed a significant improvement. If your symptoms persist, seek medical help immediately. Your doctor will carry out further tests to establish the nature of your infection. It is important to seek help without delay, as urinary tract infections can quickly spread to the kidneys, making them more painful and harder to treat. If Trimethoprim does not work, it may be because your bacterial infection is Trimethoprim resistant or is caused by a virus or fungus.
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A standard Trimethoprim tablet contains 200mg Trimethoprim. You will need to take one pill twice a day for three consecutive days. If you miss a pill just carry on with the normal dose the next day. Do not take extra pills to make up for the missed dose.
Trimethoprim should be swallowed whole and taken with a glass of water. Do not stop taking Trimethoprim just because the symptoms disappear. Always complete your course of antibiotics to prevent the infection recurring and to prevent the bacteria from developing a resistance to antibiotics. If you accidentally take more Trimethoprim than you should, you must consult your doctor immediately.
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Trimethoprim 200mg tablets contain 200mg of the active ingredient Trimethoprim. Other ingredients in the tablets are colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose, macrogol, magnesium stearate, providence, sodium starch glycollate, stearic acid and E460. If you are allergic to any of these ingredients, you should not take Trimethoprim.
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The tablets are white, round and uncoated. One side is imprinted with TMP and 100 or 200, depending on the dose. Trimethoprim tablets usually come in packs of 6 pills (taken twice a day for 3 days).
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In rare cases, patients are allergic to Trimethoprim or one of its ingredients. If this applies to you, your doctor will be able to advise you about alternative treatments to take. If you have a blood disorder or kidney disease, you must also speak to your doctor, as Trimethoprim may be harmful for you.
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No. Trimethoprim is not used to treat Chlamydia, which is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that also causes cystitis. If you have a UTI, it does not necessarily mean you have Chlamydia. In fact, Chlamydia is the cause of only a small proportion of UTIs. If you think you have chlamydia, visit our chlamydia page for further information.
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No. You must not take Trimethoprim if you are pregnant. Trimethoprim can lead to folic acid deficiency which can lead to an increased risk of neural tube defects, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. Taking Trimethoprim during this time can seriously affect the formation of your baby’s brain and spine.
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Trimethoprim is passed into breast milk; however, short-term use of Trimethoprim is not a problem. You should consult a doctor to discuss the suitability of Trimethoprim while breast-feeding.
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Some antibiotics can make oral contraception less effective. In addition, some antibiotics may cause vomiting or diarrhoea, which could affect your contraceptive protection. You may need to use a condom in addition to your regular oral contraceptive to prevent unwanted pregnancy, while taking Trimethoprim.
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Yes. There is no interaction between alcohol and trimethoprim. However, it is not advisable to consume alcohol if you have cystitis, as it can irritate your bladder further.
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Some people may experience side effects when taking Trimethoprim tablets. Some of these side effects are:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Loose stools
- Sore throat or persistent cold
- Joint pains
- Rashes
Some uncommon Trimethoprim side effects are:
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness and drowsiness - do not drive or operate machinery under these circumstances
- Short term hair loss
The following side effects are severe, and you must see a doctor immediately if you experience any of them:
- Possible bruises, slow clotting of the blood, anaemia, or fever accompanied by blisters and rashes
- There may be changes to your sense of feeling, muscle weakness, blurred vision, and confusion or mood swings
- Inflammation of salivary glands causing facial pain
- Inflammation of the pancreas causing severe abdominal pain
Do not take Trimethoprim if you:
- are under 12 years old
- are pregnant
- are allergic to Trimethoprim tablets or any of its ingredients
- have severe kidney disease
- have a blood disorder
Tell your doctor if you:
- have kidney disease or are having dialysis treatment
- have low levels of folic acid
- are using other antibiotics, especially rifampicin
- are using anticoagulants to prevent your blood clotting (Warfarin)
- are using ciclosporin (to prevent transplant rejection)
- are using digoxin (for heart conditions)
- are using phenytoin (for epilepsy)
- are using pyrimethamine (to treat malaria)
- are using bone marrow depressants