trimethoprim during pregnancy

[LaineyP]

Hello All
I am only about 5ish weeks along and have been battling UTI's for the last 2 weeks. As there is a family history of allergy to pencillin my doctor prescribed me trimethoprim for 2 days, which she didn't think would cause any harm. I took one tablet and started to feel much better but doing my own research on the net, I started to get quite scared.

I just wanted to know if anyone had taken trimethoprim whilst pregnant - what did your doctor say to you? If you've given birth - was everything ok?

I only took one tablet, but very paranoid that it might have done some damage at this crucial stage. I told my doctor that I didn't want to continue with the course, but she advised that I take at least 2 days worth to make sure the infection is cleared up. She has also offered to prescribe amoxicillin to me if I'd rather take the chance of an allergic reaction.

I'd really appreciate advice, but particularly reassurance!

This site has good evidence based info with details of studies done:

www.rxlist.com/trimethoprim-drug.htm

Go to Warnings and Precautions for pregnancy related study data.

It seems that the biggest issue (assuming you're not taking a huge overdose!) is that it affects folic acid absorption. Maybe ask your doc to prescribe you a higher folic acid dose temporarily if you take the med?

I was took the full 1 week course trimethoprim not knowing i was 4 weeks pregnant. I too did the internet research and was then sick with worry. I have a friend who is a sonographer and she said that they would be able to detect and neural tube defects at the 12 week scan and a 90% detection rate at the 20 week scan. She also advised me if i was really concerned to go back to my GP and insist on seeing the early pregnancy assessment unit at the hospital for an early scan and to speak to a obstetrician, which i did.

They scanned me at 8 weeks (my friend warned me not to have an early scan after 9 weeks or the NHS would class that as a dating scan and i wouldn't then have a 12 week scan and they would be able to detect more at the 12 week scan) and eveything looked fine, it was a reassurance. They were also able to properly date my pregnancy and said that the blastocyst wouldn't have implanted at the time i was taking trimethoprim so the risk was even smaller. I did feel a bit silly crying at the appointments with the obstetricians and sonographers but they were really reassuring that whilst there is some risk it is only a small risk and so long as i was taking my folic acid the risk was smaller. I have an inherent distrust of GP's so i felt better hearing advice from professionals who specialise in pregnancy on a daily basis.

At my 12 week and 20 week scan i made sure the sonographer knew i hav taken trimethoprim hoping that they would take special care when scanning the baby's spine kidneys and urinary tract, it was such a relief to hear everything was fine.

I'm now 37 weeks and feel much calmer, but there is always that worry at the back of my mind. I really do sympathise with what you are going through. If nothing else insisting on seeing the early pregnancy assessment unit made me feel as though i was getting some control back, that i was being proactive and doing something, i felt so worried and helpless to begin with.

Thanks so much for your replies - it was really reassuring. I've calmed down abit myself and have realised that the risk is very low, especially as I only took 1 tablet, I eat healthily and have been taking a pregnancy supplement containing folic acid. I've opted to take the Amoxicillin and haven't had any reaction yet so I'm going to go ahead with that for a couple of days. I think I will mention it at my first scan (probably 12 weeks) to make sure they look thoroughly for any problems.

Good luck for the birth remindmelater!