Drug interactions
Sulfamethoxazole + Zidovudine
Severity: Moderate
Sulfamethoxazole and Zidovudine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs can suppress bone marrow, so combining zidovudine with sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim may increase the risk of anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Trimethoprim may also modestly raise zidovudine exposure by reducing its renal clearance. The combination is common in HIV care and is generally tolerated with monitoring.
What this interaction means in plain words
Sulfamethoxazole and Zidovudine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Additive myelosuppression, with possible reduction in renal tubular secretion of zidovudine and its glucuronide.
What to do
Monitor complete blood counts periodically, especially with high-dose co-trimoxazole. Adjust therapy if significant cytopenias occur.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Zidovudine
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Stavudine + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Betibeglogene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Carboplatin + Zidovudine Major
- Cisplatin + Zidovudine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Sulfamethoxazole with Zidovudine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Sulfamethoxazole and Zidovudine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs can suppress bone marrow, so combining zidovudine with sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim may increase the risk of anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Trimethoprim may also modestly raise zidovudine exposure by reducing its renal clearance. The combination is common in HIV care and is generally tolerated with monitoring.
How serious is the interaction between Sulfamethoxazole and Zidovudine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor complete blood counts periodically, especially with high-dose co-trimoxazole. Adjust therapy if significant cytopenias occur.
What other medicines interact with Zidovudine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zidovudine with, for example, Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df, Stavudine, Atidarsagene autotemcel. The full list is on the Zidovudine page.
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