Hi can anyone tell me if they’re taking co trixamole for Bronchiectasis and what your thoughts are please... I’ve just been prescribed these

[Ally63]

Hi has anyone with Bronchiectasis ever taken septrin and how they got on with it please

[simplesprout]

Im on septrin but this is because i have had a lung transplant. Ive been on them now for 8 months and can say that they havent caused me any problems whatso ever. The dose is 480 and one tablet every pther day and this will be for the rest of my life.

Best wishes

[kiracleo in reply to simplesprout]

I thought Septrin was banned about 30 years ago for very adverse side effects.

[simplesprout in reply to kiracleo]

I really have no idea about that. Maybe its because a lot of the antibiotics they use now have not been as effective and its a return to medicines of old.

[Hidden in reply to kiracleo]

Septrin has a very limited profile and incidence of adverse effects, although as with all drugs, very rarely it can cause a serious problem. There are some bacteria for which it’s one of the few viable options (s.maltophilia is often resistant to almost everything but septrin). There was a concern back in the early 90s about septrin due to it containing sulfonamides and incidents involving rare but serious adverse reactions, and it was temporarily restricted In the UK and a couple of other countries as a result. I can’t actually find any reliable resources that explain the whole situation, including the process of deeming it safe, but it was and remains the preferred option for complex and severe infections, infections involving specific organisms, and for use in those that are immunocompromised.

To the OP: you are being prescribed this antibiotic either because you’ve cultured a bacteria that requires it, or as prophylaxis (preventative treatment) for bacteria and your history suggests that this is the best option. Septrin is not a second line antibiotic commonly used unless susceptible bacteria are known to be an issue i.e. it’s my daughter’s current preferred antibiotic because for the last 12 months we’ve had issues with s.maltophilia, and Septrin is the only thing that will treat it. She is 12 years old (and one of the primary concerns about Septrin 30 years ago was use in children) and of all the antibiotics she’s had over the years - and she’s taken dozens over well over a hundred courses - she has absolutely zero side effects or issues taking it. I don’t know if you have children, but if you do, you would know that short of an immediately life threatening situation, no decent parent would give their child a drug that there were serious concerns about it’s safety - I’m as well informed as any doctor about my daughter and her treatment, and Septrin would be pretty low down on the list if I ranked the stuff she takes by level of concerns regarding, and the seriousness of, side effects.

If it’s been prescribed because you’re culturing something and you choose not to take it, you will not get rid of the bacteria and you will be causing permanent lung damage that will speed up the decline of your lungs and lung function. If it’s been prescribed prophylactically and you choose not to take it, then you are increasing the risk of catching bacteria that will speed up the decline of your lungs and lung function. It’s always entirely your choice whether to take a treatment prescribed to you, but antibiotics are not given out willy-nilly even amongst those with respiratory diseases, so the fact that it’s been prescribed would suggest to me that you need it.

[Ally63 in reply to Hidden]

Hello Charlie thank you for your indepth information... it’s the pseudomonas infection I keep getting... I have started taking them ... just some information you read is scary.... best wishes to you and your daughter .

[Ally63 in reply to simplesprout]

Thank you simplesprout , I quite worried, the name used now is co trimoxazole... septrin another name for it.... I spelt co trimoxazole wrong earlier .... hope you keeping ok ....

[simplesprout in reply to Ally63]

Yes im well thanks

[Joy123]

I take Septrin, it’s my regular rescue antibiotic. I have lots of lung problems including bronchiectasis, I’m allergic to Ciprofloxacin unfortunately but have had no problems with Septrin. Joy.

[Ally63 in reply to Joy123]

Thank you joy

[Elpojohn]

I use Doxycycline , i,m allegic to Septrin, I did not know septrin was still made.

[Ally63 in reply to Elpojohn]

Thank you elpojohn

[Mooka]

I have taken it 960 three times a week for years. During that time I’ve had loads of infections so not sure it’s helped much. The only side effect I get is a sore tongue/mouth. If I can stay well for the next 4 months then I will be coming off of it so I guess I may find out then. It’s certainly not the worse antibiotic I’ve had.

[Ally63 in reply to Mooka]

Thank you mooka

[Penkman]

I have bronchiectasis and CLL (a type of leukaemia which severely compromises my immune system and makes me very susceptible to lung infections). Following several hospital admissions for lung infections, my respiratory consultant prescribed carbocisteine tablets which I now take twice daily and thins the mucus thus making it easier for the body to get rid of it normally and also makes coughing up sputum easier.

Due to my very low immunity levels and tendency towards hospital admissions whenever I caught a cold/cough, my haematologist prescribed co-trimoxozole as a prophylactic dose in order to try and kill any bacterial infection before it became problematic. I have been on this for nearly two years and touch wood, have not had any serious infections requiring further hospital visits.

In my case, I get no side effects from the co-trimoxozole that I am aware of and believe it has kept me out of hospital and able to live a more normal life.

My advice would be to give it a go.

[Ally63 in reply to Penkman]

Thank you penkman.... that’s put my mind at rest....

[Guy_Incognito]

Hi Ally, yes I use it as my rescue antibiotics and works fine for me. I've not had any side effects. In fact I just finished a course on Monday

[Ally63 in reply to Guy_Incognito]

Thank you guy... I’m giving them a go ...

[cat50]

Was given it for my Bronchiectasis but didn’t tolerate it very well.I am 69and I think as you get older it can cause more of a problem.I have constant infections so I takeClaryithromycin and Co amoxiclav /Amoxcillon .Nothing works for long .I have had the disease diagnosed since I was 36.Try it and see how you tolerate it.

[Ally63]

Hi cat50 thank you.... I’m 64.... I was on azithromyin 3 days a week and I felt better.... but then I started getting things like vertigo which was scary.... I giving them a go... so hopefully...