Cotrim and the pill – are they compatible?

Antibiotics can weaken the effects of the pill, so that there may be reduced contraceptive protection. The most important ingredient of the pill, estrogen, is absorbed in the intestines and partly excreted by the liver. Some bacteria change the chemical structure of the excreted oestrogen so that it is reabsorbed in the bowel.

This process is called enterohepatic circulation and is used to be able to prevent safely with a lower dose of estrogen. However, if the bacteria are attacked by antibiotics, this circulation is disrupted and the pill may be less effective because of the reduced reabsorption. The extent to which this increases the risk of an unwanted pregnancy has not been conclusively proven by studies with many antibiotics. As a safety measure, however, additional mechanical contraception should be used when taking cotrimoxazole, for example with condoms. The pill can be taken continuously and seven days after taking the last tablet of cotrimoxazole it can be assumed that the pill will be fully effective again.

Cotrim forte

Cotrim forte is the trade name for tablets of the antibiotic Cotrimoxazol with a dosage of 960mg. The drug is intended for infections of the respiratory tract, kidney and urinary tract, and the male and female reproductive organs, among others. Just like the selection of the antibiotic, the prescribing physician is also responsible for determining the dosage and method of administration.

The following are guidelines for the use of Cotrim forte: One tablet should be taken twice a day after meals in the morning and in the evening. For children under 13 years of age only half a tablet should be taken. In most cases, the duration of use is about one week, although use should be continued for 2-3 days after the symptoms have subsided.

For uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women, a single dose of 3 tablets after a meal is recommended. For the venereal disease gonorrhoea (gonorrhea), up to three days’ treatment with 5 tablets daily is recommended. To prevent infections of the urinary tract (e.g. cystitis), long-term therapy with one tablet a day can be prescribed for particularly at-risk patients over 13 years of age. If a patient forgets to take the medication, it should be taken normally at the next time without doubling the dose. Overdosage can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches and dizziness.

Cotrim for cystitis

Cotrim can be used to treat the uncomplicated urinary tract infection of women, i.e. in addition to cystitis, also renal pelvic inflammation. Uncomplicated means that there is no disturbance of the kidney function, a normal functional anatomy is present and no other factors are present that favour a urinary tract infection. In principle, in the case of a cystitis, provided there are no further complications, antibiotics can be dispensed with and the spontaneous course of the disease can be awaited – the symptoms often disappear after about a week.

Cotrim is one of the antibiotics of first choice in this case, among other things because with the single intake of 3 Cotrim forte tablets the therapy is very uncomplicated. An alternative is the antibiotic Nitrofurantoin, which has to be taken for 5-7 days. The disadvantage of the antibiotic therapy are the side effects of the medication, among other things the body’s own normal bacterial colonisation is attacked.