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A Textbook of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics

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Case history<br />

A 20-year-old female medical student attended her GP<br />

requesting a course <strong>of</strong> Septrin® (co-trimoxazole) for cystitis.<br />

She tells her GP that her last menstrual bleed was about<br />

six weeks earlier. She did not think she was at risk <strong>of</strong> pregnancy<br />

as her periods had been irregular since stopping the<br />

oral contraceptive one year previously due to fears about<br />

thrombosis, <strong>and</strong> her boyfriend used a condom. Physical examination,<br />

which did not include a vaginal examination, was<br />

normal. Urinalysis was 1� positive for blood <strong>and</strong> a trace <strong>of</strong><br />

protein.<br />

Question<br />

Why should the GP not prescribe co-trimoxazole for this<br />

patient?<br />

Answer<br />

Until proven otherwise, it should be assumed that this<br />

woman is pregnant. Co-trimoxazole (a combination <strong>of</strong> sulfamethoxazole<br />

<strong>and</strong> trimethoprim) has been superseded by<br />

trimethoprim alone as a useful drug in lower urinary tract<br />

infection (UTI). The sulfamethoxazole does not add significant<br />

antibacterial advantage in lower UTI, but does have<br />

sulphonamide-associated side effects, including the rare<br />

but life-threatening Stevens–Johnson syndrome. Both sulfamethoxazole<br />

<strong>and</strong> trimethoprim inhibit folate synthesis<br />

<strong>and</strong> are theoretical teratogens. If pregnancy is confirmed<br />

(urinary frequency is an early symptom <strong>of</strong> pregnancy in<br />

some women, due to a progesterone effect) <strong>and</strong> if the<br />

patient has a lower UTI confirmed by pyuria <strong>and</strong> bacteria<br />

on microscopy whilst awaiting culture <strong>and</strong> sensitivity results,<br />

amoxicillin is the treatment <strong>of</strong> choice. Alternatives include<br />

an oral cephalosporin or nitr<strong>of</strong>urantoin. Note that lower<br />

urinary tract infection in pregnancy can rapidly progress to<br />

acute pyelonephritis.<br />

FURTHER READING<br />

Anon. Antiepileptics, pregnancy <strong>and</strong> the child. Drugs <strong>and</strong> <strong>Therapeutics</strong><br />

Bulletin 2005; 43 no 2.<br />

Koren G. Medication, safety in pregnancy <strong>and</strong> breastfeeding: the evidencebased<br />

A–Z clinicians pocket guide. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill, 2006.<br />

Rubin PC. Prescribing in pregnancy, 3rd edn. London: Blackwell, BMJ<br />

Books, 2000.<br />

McElhatton PR. General principles <strong>of</strong> drug use in pregnancy.<br />

Pharmaceutical Journal 2003; 270: 305–7.<br />

FURTHER INFORMATION FOR HEALTH<br />

PROFESSIONALS<br />

National Teratology Information Service<br />

Regional Drug <strong>and</strong> <strong>Therapeutics</strong> Centre<br />

Wolfson Unit<br />

Clarement Place<br />

Newcastle upon Tyne<br />

NE1 4LP<br />

Tel. 0191 232 1525<br />

PRESCRIBING IN PREGRANCY 51

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