Septrin Forte

[Morrison10]

Septrin in one of only 3 antibiotics that work for me now. Find out while ago that after taking Septrin, should take Folic Acid for 28 days, get it prescribed by GP.

[Hidden]

Glad your GP is providing the folic acid, but just wanted to point out that this is not the case for everyone. The vast majority of people can and do take septrin without supplementing folate. The issue is usually only if you’re anaemic or folate deficient for some reason. It’s also advised that in the elderly, and those known to be folate deficient, blood monitoring should be done to make sure folate deficiency doesn’t worsen or develop. The literature also says the same for patients using it longer term, but doesn’t actually stipulate what that means in practice.

[Morrison10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, that’s very interesting. Not sure now how decision was made to prescribe it. I was born with PCD, see definition on here, don’t think though that’s why was prescribed Folic Acid. Have taken Septrin for many years, perhaps it’s because I am now classed as elderly that I was given it.

[Hidden in reply to Morrison10]

I’d suspect very much that age is a factor in it - whilst we’re only as old as we feel, you do have a good innings under your belt. This is from the clinical product literature for septrin on medicines.org.uk:

‘Regular monthly blood counts are advisable when co-trimoxazole is given for long periods, or to folate deficient patients or to the elderly; since there exists a possibility of asymptomatic changes in haematological laboratory indices due to lack of available folate. Supplementation with folinic acid may be considered during treatment but this should be initiated with caution due to possible interference with antimicrobial efficacy (see section 4.5).’

I’m familiar with PCD as my daughter was tested for it a couple of years ago due to not behaving quite the way they’d expect a cf patient to normally behave. Her initial tests were suggestive that she might have it, but her ciliary biopsy showed good movement, and having also ruled out a couple of other things, they’ve ultimately concluded she just likes to be a bit different 🤷‍♂️ As a patient group, I think I’m right in saying you have similar regular monitoring as cf patients in terms of bloods, so they’ll always check your full blood count whenever you have bloods done, which includes your haemoglobin levels and red blood cell size. My understanding is that if either of these were slightly out of whack, that might suggest folic acid being a good idea when taking septrin, as they’re both suggestive of possible b12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is the other name for folate. The GP would have access to your blood results, but it’s possible they may well have just done it on age - you could always ask for the rationale next time you see them.

[Morrison10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, haven’t seen GP for 18 months, but had telecon with her week ago. Having blood test soon for thyroid, will mention Folic Acid query, as have had lot of Septrin this winter. Yes have had good innings, hope have more, mother lived to nearly 112. Sorry your daughter is having poor time, hope she’s and you getting all help you need. I find Nebulising and then sterilising equipment and drainage afterwards takes up lot of time. Regards, Jean

[simplesprout in reply to Hidden]

That's interesting, as a transplant recipient, I have been on septrin for nearly 3 years now and often go without bloods being done for as much as six months at a time. Also I believe I am now on it for life.

[Jaybird19]

gosh you do have good genes !

[Morrison10 in reply to Jaybird19]

Thanks, yes I have mother’s genes. The NHS etc were not interested in genes then, I had requests from USA for her blood samples, NHS didn’t want to know.