Trimethoprim

Buy trimethoprim 200mg treatment for cystitis online from Dr Fox - for recurring infection. Be prepared with a standby antibiotic to keep for when needed.

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Buy trimethoprim antibiotic online in UK

How to order trimethoprim online for UK delivery:

  1. Read medical information about cystitis treatment
  2. Answer medical questions to check for eligibility
  3. Reviewed by doctors - posted from UK pharmacy (tracked 24hr service)

Prices

Cystitis treatment Quantity Cost
Trimethoprim 200mg 6 tablets (1 course - in stock) £8.90

Price match guarantee
Prescription issued online - small prescription fee per order.

Compare prices: Dr Fox prices are 25%-50% lower cost than other online clinics.

Prescription fees

Dr Fox supplies medicine on prescription and charges a small prescription fee based on the order value of each prescription.

Prescriptions are issued by our doctors online and sent electronically to our pharmacy.

Order value Prescription fee
up to £10 £1.00
up to £20 £2.00
up to £40 £3.00
over £40 £4.00

If you have your own private paper prescription please post to our pharmacy (details).

Dr Fox prices are 25%–50% lower than other UK online clinics.

Comparative costs of trimethoprim antibiotic from UK online clinics (08 January 2023) - qualifying notes
*Dr Fox adds a small prescription fee not included in table above.
  1. The prices shown are listed by the online clinics named after a customer first enters consultation information and is offered prescriptions. It is possible these clinics may have special offers or lower prices for repeat supplies.
  2. Prices may change and are, to the best of our knowledge, accurate on the date stated. All products in stock and new condition.
  3. Dr Fox does NOT claim to provide a superior service to any of the online clinics listed. All the clinics listed, as far as we can tell, comply with all regulation and, as far as we can tell, operate to high ethical standards.
  4. Dr Fox adds a small prescription fee not included in the table (between £1 and £4 depending on value of the order).
  5. To amend the information in this table please contact us
  6. The prices listed in the table do not identify the cost of prescription medicine as online clinics charge a single fee to cover services which includes advice, consultations, prescriptions and dispensing and supply of treatments.
  7. Where services include free delivery this is using the slowest delivery option available. Dr Fox uses Royal Mail Tracked 24.
Items Dr Fox Simple Online Pharmacy Superdrug Cloud Pharmacy Lloyds
Trimethoprim 200mg x 6 £8.90 £9.50 £25.00 £14.99 £23.99
UK delivery £2.90 £3.20 included £4.29 included

Delivery charges

UK delivery only: £2.90 per consultation via Royal Mail Tracked 24 Signed For (1-2 working days with tracking).

Parcel forwarding services are not permitted. Use only UK home or work delivery address.

Returns and refunds - unwanted items can be returned within 14 working days for a full refund.

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About trimethoprim

  • Trimethoprim is a prescription-only antibiotic tablet mainly used to treat cystitis in women and other urinary infections.
  • Take 200mg twice daily for 3 days with 12 hours between doses.
  • Order in advance as a standby treatment for repeated episodes.
  • Read the patient leaflet for a full list of side effects, cautions, and interactions with other drugs.

Choosing the right antibiotic for cystitis

The information below is about trimethoprim tablets. There is a separate page about nitrofurantoin capsules, the alternative antibiotic available from Dr Fox for cystitis in women. General information about cystitis and standby treatment, and selecting the right antibiotic, can be found at the cystitis medical information page. Please also read the manufacturer's patient information leaflet supplied with trimethoprim tablets.

Trimethoprim is an antibiotic commonly used to treat uncomplicated cystitis in women, and other urine infections. In the last few years antibiotic resistance to trimethoprim has increased. About 30% of the bacteria which cause cystitis are now resistant to trimethoprim and it is no longer always the first choice antibiotic by GPs. The antibiotic nitrofurantoin is now often more effective and is often the first choice, although trimethoprim is still widely prescribed and many women find it effective and prefer it.

For further information see NHS - trimethoprim.

Taking trimethoprim

Trimethoprim 200mg twice daily for 3 days (12 hours between doses) is usually effective for cystitis. The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. They should not be chewed.

Improvement is usually seen within 24 hours and symptoms are usually completely resolved after 3 days.

Cautions and contraindications

Trimethoprim is not suitable for everyone. Patients with some medical conditions or who are also taking some other medicines cannot take it. Checks for suitability are carried out in the online consultation which is part of the ordering process.

Do not take trimethoprim tablets if the following apply:

  • Allergy to trimethoprim or to any of the other tablet ingredients.
  • You are pregnant.
  • Severe liver problems.

Do not take trimethoprim tablets without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist if the following apply:

  • Kidney problems, including dialysis.
  • Low folic acid which may lead to anaemia.
  • Known risk of high blood potassium levels.
  • Porphyria.

Interactions

Trimethoprim should not be taken with the following medicines:

  • Repaglinide (diabetes).
  • Procainamide (heart rhythm control).
  • Digoxin (heart).
  • Diuretics (water tablets).
  • Rifampicin (tuberculosis).
  • Warfarin-type anticoagulants (blood thinners requiring regular blood testing).
  • Phenytoin (epilepsy).
  • Pyrimethamine and dapsone (malaria).
  • Immunosuppressant and bone marrow depressant drugs (including azathioprine, methotrexate, ciclosporin).
  • Colistimethate (cystic fibrosis).

If in doubt about other medication check with your own doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects and severe reactions

As with any medicine side effects may occur although most patients do not experience them, or they may be mild and treatment does not always need to be stopped.

Allergic reactions

In very rare cases (fewer than 1 in 10,000), there may be an acute allergic reaction leading to angioedema or anaphylaxis. If affected, stop taking trimethoprim, and contact your GP, out-of-hours service, or telephone 111 or see 111.nhs.uk online. In an emergency telephone 999.

Side effects (non-emergency)

The side effects listed below are not medical emergencies, but may require medical advice.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
  • Feeling sick (nausea), being sick, diarrhoea.
  • Headache.
  • Skin rashes including hives (urticaria) and itching.
  • Thrush or sore mouth (glossitis).

For more details about side effects see the manufacturer's patient information leaflet.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

DO NOT take trimethoprim tablets if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are trying to get pregnant.

If you are breastfeeding, it is usually fine to take a short course of trimethoprim, although small amounts are found in breast milk. The manufacturer recommends asking your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking trimethoprim when breastfeeding.

Dr Fox does not supply cystitis treatment for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding - please contact your GP.

Other measures which can help cystitis

  • Increase the amount of water you are drinking each day to 2-3 litres (4-5 pints, or 10-12 glasses or mugs).
  • Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and fizzy drinks which can irritate the bladder.
  • Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain if necessary.

Sometimes cystitis will go away by itself in a few days without antibiotic treatment. If symptoms are mild, self-treatment and 'wait-and-see' for a few days may be the best approach. If symptoms are severe, or worsening, antibiotics are usually preferred. Women who have repeated infections will usually know if their symptoms are likely to stop on their own.

Patient Information Leaflet

Illustration of patient leaflet from medicine packet

The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine and must be read before taking the medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine.

Trimethoprim patient leaflet


Trimethoprim FAQs

Can I take trimethoprim if I am lactose intolerant?

Unfortunately no. Trimethoprim tablets all contain lactose.

Why can't I take trimethoprim now I'm pregnant?

Trimethoprim affects folic acid metabolism, and this is how it works as an antibiotic. Folic acid is very important in the development of the foetus. It is therefore recommended to avoid trimethoprim during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester when the foetal spinal cord is developing.

How can I reduce the chance of having antibiotic resistant cystitis?

Antibiotic resistant bacteria are becoming more common. With cystitis, more of the common bacteria are resistant to trimethoprim than nitrofurantoin. If taking repeated courses of antibiotics to treat repeat urine infections, using a different antibiotic each time may help to reduce development of resistance. In particular, taking a further course of trimethoprim within 3 months of a previous course is linked to developing trimethoprim resistant infections, so take nitrofurantoin instead.

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Dr Tony Steele

Authored 18 February 2010 by Dr Tony Steele
MB ChB Sheffield University 1983. Former hospital doctor and GP. GMC no. 2825328

Reviewed by Dr A. Wood, Dr C. Pugh, Dr B. Babor
Last reviewed 14 March 2023
Last updated 19 January 2024

References

  • Accord Healthcare, 2019, Trimethoprim 200mg Tablets: Summary of Product Characteristics, accessed 06 December 2021
  • BNF/NICE, 2017, TRIMETHOPRIM, accessed 06 December 2021

Recent Trimethoprim reviews

Trimethoprim rated 4.94/5 in 205 product reviews

See over 40,000 service reviews of Dr Fox

Trimethoprim 200mg

worked for me

Thu/12/2023 10:04
Anonymous Verified

Trimethoprim 200mg

Does what it says on the box

Sat/12/2023 15:15
Anonymous Verified

Trimethoprim 200mg

Always works for me I suffer all the time with water infections I've had them that many times I know when they're coming on as I am super tired and my wee has a certain smell to it. The tablets make me feel amazing after 24 of taking them shame they don't keep them away for ever but most time I think alcohol is the culprit. I'm not a big drinker anymore due to this. Antibiotics 10/10

Wed/08/2023 16:26
Anonymous Verified

Trimethoprim 200mg

Very good quick service

Tue/08/2023 06:10
Anonymous Verified

Trimethoprim 200mg

Just what I needed as having massive problems getting appointment with my GP

Sat/07/2023 10:33
Anonymous Verified

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The order process

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