Proloprim

Pronunciation: trye-METH-oh-prim
Generic Name: Trimethoprim
Brand Name: Proloprim

Proloprim is used for:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria.

Proloprim is an antibiotic. It works by killing sensitive bacteria.

Do NOT use Proloprim if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Proloprim or to similar medicines


• you are taking dofetilide


• you have anemia caused by low levels of folate in the blood

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Proloprim:

Some medical conditions may interact with Proloprim. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have liver or kidney problems or blood problems (eg, anemia, porphyria)


• if you have or are at risk for low levels of folate in the blood (eg, you have alcoholism, are elderly, you do not absorb nutrients from food properly, you are in a poor nutritional state, you are taking medicine for seizures)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Proloprim. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Dofetilide because risk of severe heart problems may be increased by Proloprim


• Methotrexate, phenytoin, or sulfones (eg, dapsone) because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased by Proloprim


• Cyclosporine because its effectiveness may be decreased and risk of liver side effects may be increased by Proloprim

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Proloprim may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Proloprim:

Use Proloprim as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Proloprim by mouth with or without food.


• Proloprim works best if it is taken at the same time each day.


• To clear up your infection completely, use Proloprim for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.


• If you miss a dose of Proloprim, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Proloprim.

Important safety information:

• Proloprim may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Proloprim. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.


• Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.


• Be sure to use Proloprim for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.


• Proloprim only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).


• Long-term or repeated use of Proloprim may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.


• Proloprim may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are using Proloprim.


• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Proloprim. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Proloprim with caution in ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to the effects of Proloprim.


• Proloprim should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• Use Proloprim with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old who have diarrhea or an infection of the stomach or bowel.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Proloprim while you are pregnant. Proloprim is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Proloprim, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Proloprim:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Nausea; skin sensitivity to sunlight; stomach upset; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blistered, peeling, red, or swollen skin; bloody or black, tarry stools; chest pain; chills, fever, or sore throat; decreased urination; joint or muscle pain; irregular heartbeat; painful or stiff neck; purple patches under the skin; seizures; severe diarrhea; shortness of breath; stomach cramps/pain; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusually pale skin; vaginal irritation or discharge; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Proloprim side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include confusion; depression; dizziness; drowsiness; fever, chills, or sore throat; loss of consciousness; severe nausea or vomiting; severe or prolonged headache; unusual bruising or bleeding.

Proper storage of Proloprim:

Store Proloprim at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep in a tight, light-resistant container. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Proloprim out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Proloprim, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Proloprim is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Proloprim. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Proloprim resources

• Proloprim Side Effects (in more detail)
• Proloprim Dosage
• Proloprim Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Proloprim Drug Interactions
• Proloprim Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Proloprim - Add your own review/rating

• Proloprim Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Proloprim Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Proloprim Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Trimethoprim Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Trimethoprim Monograph (AHFS DI)

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