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Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
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<p>Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, sold under the trade names Bactrim, Cotrim (a short form of the <a href="/facts/British_Approved_Name/pm1t52SQ">British Approved Name</a>, Co-trimoxazole) and Septra, among others, is a <a href="/facts/Fixed-dose_combination/pVS5UD72">fixed-dose combination</a> <a href="/facts/Antibiotic/sF1kIfxg">antibiotic</a> medication used to treat a variety of <a href="/facts/Bacterial_infection/X5QcVN5j">bacterial infections</a>. It consists of one part <a href="/facts/Trimethoprim/9sfURYaJ">trimethoprim</a> to five parts <a href="/facts/Sulfamethoxazole/UkU1fdcP">sulfamethoxazole</a>. It is used to treat <a href="/facts/Urinary_tract_infections/4NwY9tL0">urinary tract infections</a>, <a href="/facts/Methicillin-resistant_Staphylococcus_aureus/4DGUo2co">methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus</a> (MRSA) skin infections, <a href="/facts/Travelers%27_diarrhea/SvM8HX1u">travelers' diarrhea</a>, <a href="/facts/Respiratory_tract_infections/lLKXWrJf">respiratory tract infections</a>, and <a href="/facts/Cholera/rk8JfWEp">cholera</a>, among others. It is used both to treat and prevent <a href="/facts/Pneumocystis_pneumonia/hrFCRv8b">pneumocystis pneumonia</a> and <a href="/facts/Toxoplasmosis/6wTKf6SG">toxoplasmosis</a> in people with <a href="/facts/HIV/AIDS/RqLIEMuJ">HIV/AIDS</a> and other causes of immunosuppression. It can be given <a href="/facts/Oral_administration/vNQcvLVx">orally</a> (swallowed by mouth) or <a href="/facts/Intravenous_infusion/AwwuD3Nu">intravenous infusion</a> (slowly injected into a vein with an IV). </p><p>Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is on the <a href="/facts/WHO_Model_List_of_Essential_Medicines/6kmu81Xm">World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines</a>. It is available as a <a href="/facts/Generic_medication/IF6AXDVX">generic medication</a>. In 2022, it was the 143rd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3 million prescriptions. </p>