Treatment and secondaryprophylaxis of toxoplasmosis in immunodeficient patients, in combination with pyrimethamine
Forms and strengths
500 mg tablet
Dosage and duration
Treatment of toxoplasmosis
Adult: 2 g 2 to 3 times daily for 6 weeks minimum
Secondary prophylaxis of toxoplasmosis
Adult: 1 to 1.5 g 2 times daily, as long as necessary
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
Do not administer to sulfonamide-allergic patients; patients with severe renal or hepatic impairment.
May cause:
gastrointestinal disturbances, renal disorders (crystalluria, etc.), photosensitivity, megaloblastic anaemia due to folic acid deficiency; haemolyticanaemia in patients with G6PD deficiency; allergic reactions (fever, rash, etc.) sometimes severe (Lyell's and Stevens-Johnson syndromes,haematological disorders, etc.).In these cases, stop treatment immediately.
Adverse effects occur more frequently in patients with HIV infection. Monitor blood count if possible.
Reduce the dose by half in patients with renal impairment. Do not combine with methotrexate and phenytoin.
Administer calcium folinate systematically to prevent folic acid deficiency.Drink a lot of liquid during treatment.
Pregnancy: no contra-indication. However, avoid using during the last month of pregnancy (risk of jaundice and haemolytic anaemia in the newborn infant).
Breast-feeding: avoid if preterm infant, jaundice, low-birth weight, infant under one month of age. Ifsulfadiazine is used, observe the infant for signs of jaundice.