About Trimethoprim

Trimethoprim is an antibiotic.

It's used to treat and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs), such as cystitis.

Occasionally, trimethoprim is used to treat other types of infections, such as chest infections and acne.

Trimethoprim is available on prescription. It comes as tablets and as a liquid that you swallow.

Key facts

You'll usually take trimethoprim twice a day to treat infections.
For most infections, you'll feel better within a few days. It's important to finish your course of trimethoprim to help stop your infection from coming back.
Side effects may include itching or a skin rash, but these are usually mild and do not last long.
You can drink alcohol while taking trimethoprim.
Tell your doctor if you do not start feeling better after taking trimethoprim for 2 days, or if you start to feel worse at any time.

Sexual Health Advice

Throughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:

	This item was in brought to you association with NHS website. Follow the links above for more information and don't forget to check out OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health which features items on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. This week our topic is: L - Lung Cancer.
Photos: OutUK and LightFieldStudios.