Cotrimoxazole, clinical uses and malaria chemotherapy.
Microbial infections still account for considerable morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The importance of chemotherapeutic agents cannot be over-emphasized. Some antimicrobial agents provide broad spectrum of activity spanning different classes of bacterial and protozoan diseases. Cotrimoxazole, an antifolate antimicrobial was originally meant for treatment of bacterial diseases but has been shown to be an effective drug in the treatment of malaria amongst other conditions. This review attempted to explore the pharmacology of cotrimoxazole, its many clinical uses and adverse effects. Specific experiences of the author in the application of cotrimoxazole in the treatment of acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria were highlighted and suggestions on how to optimize the use of this drug were made.
Fehintola
F A
FA
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. fentolamine@yahoo.com
D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000962:Antimalarials; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination