Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
Ask the Experts about Fatigue and Anemia
Antibiotics and HIV
Sep 26, 2008
I want to know if it is nessesary to take Sulphamethoxazole/Trimethoprim orally on a daily basis to protect yourself against possible infections. My CD4 is currently 680 and not on any ARV
Response from Dr. Frascino
Hello,
Trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), aka Septra or Bactrim, is generally prescribed for PCP (Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) prophylaxis when the CD4 cell count falls to 200 or less. It can be discontinued if and when the CD4 count increased above 200 and remains there for at least three months.
TMP/SMX is also used prophylactically for prevention of toxoplasmosis when the CD4 cell count falls below 100 in toxo-seropositive patients. It too can be discontinued when the CD4 rises above 200 and remains there for at least three months.
The story regarding antibiotics for secondary prophylaxis (after someone has had a bout of toxoplasmosis disease, recovered and is ready to take medication to prevent a recurrence) is a bit more complicated. I won't go into that now, unless you have a more specific question.
Dr. Bob
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
