Overview of Co-Trimoxazole Rankings

This section contains all of the individual user reviews and antibiotic susceptibilty rankings for CO-TRIMOXAZOLE (Bactrim, Septra).

If you have used Co-Trimoxazole as a treatment for acne vulgaris, please share your experience and opinions.

Type of Treatment: Rx Medication – Antibiotic (Oral) – Sulfonamide Family

How it Works: Co-Trimoxazole is an antibiotic. Antibiotics can improve acne symptoms by limiting the growth of bacteria that contribute to Acne Vulgaris.

When is this medication used? Co-trimoxazole is usually reserved for the treatment of mild to moderate acne symptoms (Acne Types: 2-4). Co-trimoxazole may also be used to treat non-typical acne (eg. Acne Fulminans).

Frequency of Co-Trimoxazole Resistant P. acnes Bacteria: Infrequent. (What does this mean?)

Official Name:  Co-Trimoxazole (Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim).
Popular Brand Names: Bactrim, Cotrim, Co-Trimox, Septra, Septrin and Sulfatrim.
Related Medications: Sulfadiazine, Dapsone, Sulfacetamide and Sulfamylon.

Important Note: The information provided on this site is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any diseases. The Science of Acne strongly encourages you to consult a qualified medical professional before making any treatment decisions. For the complete disclaimer, click here.

Overall (Composite) Ranking for Co-Trimoxazole

The COMPOSITE ranking is calculated from a combination of all of the individual rankings for this medication (EFFECTIVENESS, ADVERSE EFFECTS and ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY).

This ranking is scored on a scale of 1 (WORST) to 5 (BEST).

Share Your Experience with co-trimoxazole – Rate This Medication

Effectiveness Ranking for Co-Trimoxazole

Co-Trimoxazole (Bactrim, Septra) is generally well reviewed by acne patients. In many cases, this medication is highly effective, particularly for patients with moderate to severe inflammatory acne. However, this medication has a higher risk for severe allergic reactions than many other types of antibiotics.

The EFFECTIVENESS ranking is based on patient reports of how effective this medication was at improving their acne symptoms.

This ranking is scored on a scale of 1 (NOT EFFECTIVE) to 5 (VERY EFFECTIVE).

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Adverse Effects Ranking for Co-Trimoxazole

The ADVERSE EFFECTS ranking is based on patient reports about the adverse effects and side effects that they experienced with this medication.

This ranking is scored on a scale of 1 (NO SIDE EFFECTS) to 5 (SEVERE SIDE EFFECTS).

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Antibiotic Susceptibility Ranking for Co-Trimoxazole

The ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY ranking is based on scientific research reports about the antibiotic sensitivity of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), which is a bacterium that is a primary cause of acne symptoms. Our antibiotic susceptibility data is generated from the combined results of over 50 independent scientific studies. For more information about which antibiotics are most effective against P. acnes bacteria, visit the Antibiotic Susceptibility of Propionibacterium acnes page.

Frequency of Co-Trimoxazole Resistant P. acnes Bacteria: Infrequent. (What does this mean?)

This ranking is scored on a scale of 1 (NOT SUSCEPTIBLE) to 5 (VERY SUSCEPTIBLE).

Share Your Experience with co-trimoxazole – Rate This Medication

User Recommendations for Co-Trimoxazole

The USER RECOMMENDATIONS chart indicates how many reviewers recommended this medication as a treatment for Acne Vulgaris. These recommendations are only from The Science of Acne users. For additional reviews of this medication from outside sources, refer to the section below.

There are four options available for this ranking:

YES (definitely recommended)
MAYBE (conditionally recommended)
NO (not recommended)
DON’T KNOW (no opinion)

Outside Reviews of Co-Trimoxazole

The following is a list of links to pages that review or discuss the use of this medication. Note: Some of these reviews are not specific to the use of this medication in the treatment of Acne Vulgaris.

Sources for reviews of this medication: Co-Trimoxazole Reviews @ Acne.org, Co-Trimoxazole Reviews @ WebMD, Co-Trimoxazole Reviews @ Drugs.com, Co-Trimoxazole Reviews @ DailyStrength.org, Co-Trimoxazole Reviews @ EverydayHealth.com, Co-Trimoxazole Reviews @ RXList.com, Co-Trimoxazole Reviews @ DrugLib.com.

Co-Trimoxazole Background

Co-Trimoxazole  is a combination of two syngeristic antibiotics – sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim.  The combination of these two antibiotics kills bacteria by blocking their ability to synthesize folic acid.  Folic acid is an essential B-complex vitamin that most organisms need in order to survive.

Co-Trimoxazole is not as commonly used in acne treatment as the tetracycline antibiotics (eg. doxycycline and minocycline).  However, in many cases co-trimoxazole is more effective, particulary in cases of moderate to severe inflammatory acne.  Increasing levels of tetracycline-resistant P. acnes bacteria have led to renewed interest in the use of alternative antibiotics for the treatment of acne symptoms.  Co-timoxazole has unique qualities that may be uniquely helpful in the treatment of acne vulgaris.  Unlike most antibiotics, co-trimoxazole can accumulate inside of white blood cells.  This feature may be helpful in treating certain kinds of chronic infection and inflammation (including some types of acne).

Co-Trimoxazole does have an increased risk of certain side effects when compared to other common antibiotics, a fact which makes some physicians and dermatologists uncomfortable prescribing this medication.  Before the development of highly effective retroviral therapy for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, co-trimoxazole was commonly used as a prophylactic treatment for HIV/AIDS patients to prevent bacterial infections.

Additional Names for this Medication: Actrim, Anitrim, Apo-Sulfatrim, Assepium, Bacin, Bactekod, Bacticel, Bactoprim, Bactramin, Bactricid, Bactrimel, Balkatrin, Berlocid, Bethaprim, Bioprim, Biotrim, Biseptol, Biseptrin, Bismoral, Casicot, Chemitrim, Ciplin, Cotribene, Co-Trimoxazol, Cotrimox, Cotrimoxazol, Cotrimstada, Cozole, Daiphen, Deprim, Dientrin, Diseptyl, Dotrim, Drylin, Ectaprim, Escoprim, Eusaprim, Groseptol, Infectrin, Irgagen, Kepinol, Lagatrim, Letus, Lupectrin, Metoprim, Metoxiprim, Momentol, Netocur, Novidrine, Novo-Trimel, Omsat, Oribact, Oriprim, Primazol, Primotren, Purbac, Qiftrim, Resprim, Sepmax, Septran, Septran DS, Sigaprim, Sinersul, Soltrim, Sulfaméthoxazole and Triméthoprime, Sulfamethoxazolum and Trimethoprimum, Sulfametoxazol and Trimetoprima, Sulphamethoxazole and Trimethoprim, Sultrex, Sumetrolim, TMP/SMZ, TMP-sulfa, TMS, Trim/Sul, Trimidar-M, Trimoks, Trisul, Uroplus Vanadyl, Yen Kuang and Zoltrim.

Important Note: The information provided on this site is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any diseases. The Science of Acne strongly encourages you to consult a qualified medical professional before making any treatment decisions. For the complete disclaimer, click here.

Cost and Availability of Co-Trimoxazole

If possible, co-trimoxazole should be obtained through consultation of a qualified medical professional. Some physicians and general practitioners may be uncomfortable with the use of co-trimoxazole for the treatment of acne vulgaris.  The use of co-timoxazole to treat acne is considered an “off-label” use in many countries.  Co-Trimoxazole is widely available in brand name and generic formulations. In brand name formulations this medication tends to be moderately expensive, and in generic formulation it tends to be inexpensive.

Related Topics from The Science of Acne

In Depth: Co-Trimoxazole (Bactrim, Septra) and Acne Vulgaris
Overview: Avoiding Negative Drug Interactions
A Guide to Buying Prescription Medications on the Internet
Overview: Prescription Medications Used in Acne Treatment
In Depth: Antibiotic Susceptibility of Propionibacterium acnes

References and Sources

Books

PDR Staff Writers. 2011. 2011 Physicians’ Desk Reference
Gallagher. 2011. Antibiotics Simplified, Second Edition
Habif. 2009. Clinical Dermatology
Goodheart. 2006. Acne For Dummies
Bartlett. 2012. Johns Hopkins Antibiotics Guide 2012

Online Resources

Co-Trimoxazole @ PubMed Health – The National Institute of Health (US) offers basic comprehensive information about most common medications.
Co-Trimoxazole @ Wikipedia – Wikipedia is an excellent resource for learning about how medications work.
Co-Trimoxazole Physician’s Insert – The physician’s insert for a medication contains nearly all of the relevant information, including indications, dosage information and background data.

Scientific Research Articles

Hersle, et al. 1972. Trimethoprim-Sulphamethoxazole in Acne vulgaris A Double-Blind Study.
Nordin, et al. 1978. A clinical and bacteriological evaluation of the effect of sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim in acne vulgaris, resistant to prior therapy with tetracyclines.
Gibson, et al. 2006. Oral trimethoprim versus oxytetracycline in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris.
Cotterill, et al. 2006. The Effect of Trimethoprim-Sulphamethoxazole on Sebum Excretion Rate and Biochemistry in Acne Vulgaris.
Oprica, et al. 2004. Antibiotic-resistant Propionibacterium acnes on the skin of patients with moderate to severe acne in Stockholm.
Reeves, et al. 1978. Use of antibiotics: Sulphonamides, Co-Trimoxazole, and Tetracyclines.
Zaenglein, et al. 2006. Expert Committee Recommendations for Acne Management.
Federman, et al. 2000. Acne Vulgaris: Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Approach.
Haider, et al. 2004. Treatment of Acne Vulgaris.