Package Insert: Information for the User
Septin Pediatric 20 mg/100 mg Tablets
(trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole)
Read this package insert carefully before starting to take this medication, as it contains important information for you.
Septrin Pediatric is an antibiotic that eliminates bacteria that cause infections. It contains two different medications called trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (a sulfonamide).
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections and do not work for viral infections such as the flu or a cold.
It is essential to follow the instructions regarding dosage, administration interval, and treatment duration as indicated by your doctor.
Do not store or reuse this medication. If you have leftover antibiotic after treatment, return it to the pharmacy for proper disposal. Do not dispose of medications through the drain or in the trash.
Septrin Pediatric is indicated for the treatment of the following infections: treatment and prevention of pneumonia caused byPneumocystis jiroveci (P.carinii), prevention of toxoplasmosis, nocardiosis, and melioidosis.
Septrin Pediatric may also be useful for other infections: middle ear infections, respiratory infections in patients with chronic bronchitis, urinary tract infections (bladder, kidneys), infectious diarrhea, treatment of toxoplasmosis, genital and/or perianal injury (inguinal granuloma or donovanosis), and brucellosis.
Do not take Septrin Pediatric 20mg/100 mg tablets
-If you are allergic to sulfonamides, trimethoprim, co-trimoxazole, or any of the other components of this medication (listed in section 6: Contents of the pack and additional information).
-In premature children, and children born at term less than 6 weeks.
-If you have or think you have acute porphyria (a blood disorder in which hemoglobin is not produced adequately).
-In combination with dofetilide (a medication used to control irregular or rapid heartbeats).
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take Septrin Pediatric 20 mg/100 mg tablets.
-In elderly patients, as they may be more likely to experience severe side effects.
-If you have kidney problems (known renal insufficiency). Your doctor will need to take special measures. To ensure adequate renal elimination, the patient should receive adequate fluid intake and the urine pH should be maintained within normal limits, avoiding urine acidification.
-If you have liver problems (severe liver parenchymal damage).
-If you have severe blood disorders, except in cases where close medical supervision is provided.
-If you have a deficiency of an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD).
-Do not use Septrin Pediatric for the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis (Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, S. pyogenes).
-If you take Septrin Pediatric for a long time or have a folate deficiency or are an elderly patient, your doctor may request that you have blood tests to perform blood counts.
-If you have a risk of hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) and hyponatremia (low sodium levels), your doctor will consider the need for blood tests to monitor potassium and sodium levels.
-If you have phenylketonuria (a metabolic disorder that affects the enzyme phenylalanine), as the administration of trimethoprim alters the metabolism of phenylalanine. This does not pose a problem in patients with an adequate restrictive diet.
-Septrin Pediatric may interfere with the results of some laboratory tests.
-Although this medication is indicated for use in children from 6 weeks of age, your doctor may decide not to administer Septrin to children under 3 months.
Rare cases of death have been reported due to severe reactions, including fulminant hepatic necrosis (severe liver damage), agranulocytosis (decrease in a certain type of white blood cells), aplastic anemia (insufficiency of the bone marrow to produce different types of cells), other blood disorders, and hypersensitivity of the respiratory system.
Rare cases of skin eruptions that can be life-threatening (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, generalized acute pustular exanthema, and febrile neutrophilic dermatosis or sweet syndrome) have been described with the use of Septrin Pediatric, initially appearing as red circular spots, often with a central blister.
Additional signs that may appear include mouth, throat, nose, genital, and conjunctivitis (swollen and red eyes).
These life-threatening skin eruptions often accompany flu-like symptoms. The rash may progress to the formation of generalized blisters or skin peeling.
The highest risk period for the appearance of severe skin reactions is during the first weeks of treatment.
If you have developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, or febrile neutrophilic dermatosis with the use of Septrin Pediatric, do not use Septrin Pediatric again at any time.
If you develop skin eruptions or these symptoms, stop taking Septrin Pediatric, immediately see a doctor, and inform them that you are taking this medication.
If you experience a severe skin reaction: a red and scaly rash with bumps under the skin and blisters (generalized acute pustular exanthema), contact a doctor as soon as possible and inform them that you are taking this medication.
Rare cases of hypersensitivity reactions with eosinophilia (increase in a certain type of white blood cells) and systemic symptoms associated with the use of Septrin have been reported.
As a consequence of colonization with Clostridium difficile, the use of Septrin may lead to the development of pseudomembranous colitis in rare cases, which manifests through diarrhea.
If you experience an unexpected worsening of cough and shortness of breath, inform your doctor immediately.
Lymphohistiocytosis hemophagocytosis
Rare cases of excessive immune reactions due to unregulated activation of white blood cells, leading to inflammation (lymphohistiocytosis hemophagocytosis), which can be potentially fatal if not diagnosed and treated promptly, have been reported. If you experience multiple symptoms such as fever, swelling of lymph nodes, feeling weak, dizziness, shortness of breath, bruises, or skin rash, contact your doctor immediately.
Taking Septrin Pediatric 20 mg/100 mg tablets with other medications
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have taken recently, or may need to take any other medication.
Septrin Pediatric may potentiate the effect and/or toxicity of some medications. It is essential to inform your doctor if you are taking or have taken recently any of the following medications:
-Medications that cause hyperkalemia (high potassium levels).
-Medications used to control heart rhythm (class III antiarrhythmics), such as dofetilide. Elevated dofetilide plasma levels have been reported after concurrent administration with trimethoprim.
When trimethoprim is administered with medications such as procainamide and amantadine, there is a possibility of increased plasma concentrations of one or both medications.
Pregnancy, lactation, and fertility
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or think you may be pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.
Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole cross the placenta, and their safety in pregnant women has not been established. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole should be avoided in pregnancy, unless the potential benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus, and a folate supplement of up to 4 or 5 mg/day may be considered if trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is used during pregnancy.
When Septrin Pediatric is administered to the mother before birth, there may be a theoretical risk of kernicterus (a severe neurological complication due to increased bilirubin in the blood) in the newborn. This theoretical risk is particularly important in premature infants or those with a higher risk of hyperbilirubinemia, such as those with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
Administration of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole should be avoided in the final stages of pregnancy and in lactating mothers, especially when mothers or infants have or are at risk of developing hyperbilirubinemia.
The medication is excreted in breast milk.
Driving and operating machines
The influence of Septrin Pediatric on the ability to drive and operate machines is negligible or insignificant.
Follow exactly the medication administration instructions contained in this leaflet or those indicated by your doctor. In case of doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Remember to take your medication.
Your doctor will indicate the duration of your treatment with Septrin Pediatric 20 mg/100 mg tablets. Do not discontinue treatment before.
Septrin Pediatric 20 mg/100 mg tablets should be administered preferably after food intake. Swallow the tablets with a sufficient amount of liquid. If desired, the specified doses can be taken diluted in a small amount of water.
Your doctor will prescribe the most appropriate pharmaceutical form of Septrin according to age, weight, and dose.
Septrin Pediatric 8 mg/40 mg/ml oral suspension and Septrin Pediatric 20 mg/100 mg tablets are the most appropriate presentations for infants and children.
Standard Dose
160 mg of trimethoprim/800 mg of sulfamethoxazole/12 hours (2 tablets of Septrin 80 mg/400 mg tablets every 12 hours or 1 tablet of Septrin Forte 160 mg/800 mg tablets every 12 hours or 20 ml of Septrin Pediatric 8 mg/40 mg/ml oral suspension every 12 hours or 8 tablets of Septrin Pediatric 20 mg/100 mg every 12 hours).
If after 7 days of treatment no clinical improvement is observed, the patient will be reevaluated.
As an alternative to the standard dose, a treatment with 160/800 mg of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in adults and 5 mg of trimethoprim/25 mg of sulfamethoxazole/kg in children every 12 hours for 3 days is appropriate for the treatment of urinary tract infections and infectious diarrhea.
Special Dosages
Older patients: (see section 2: Warnings and precautions). If no other dosage is indicated, the standard dose will be used.
Patients with renal insufficiency:
Adults and children over 12 years (no information is available for children under 12 years):
Creatinine clearance (ml/min)Recommended Dose
> 30Standard dose
15-30Half of the standard dose
<15Not recommended
Your doctor may perform blood tests every 2-3 days to measure the amount of medication in the blood.
Pneumonia byPneumocystis jiroveci(P. carinii)
Treatment
Adults and children:20 mg of trimethoprim and 100 mg of sulfamethoxazole/kg/day, in two or more divided doses, for 2 weeks.
Prophylaxis (prevention)
Adults:Septrin 80 mg/400 mg tablets or Septrin Forte 160 mg/800 mg tablets are recommended.
The following dosage regimens may be used:
Children
The following dosage regimens may be used:
The doses indicated above may also be administered as a single dose, 3 times a week on consecutive days. The daily dose administered on a treatment day approximates 150 mg of trimethoprim/m2/day and 750 mg of sulfamethoxazole/m2/day. The total daily dose should not exceed 320 mg of trimethoprim and 1,600 mg of sulfamethoxazole.
Toxoplasmosis
Primary prophylaxis (primary prevention)
Adults and children over 12 years:Septrin 80 mg/400 mg tablets or Septrin Forte 160 mg/800 mg tablets are recommended.
Children:150 mg of trimethoprim/m2of body surface/day and 750 mg of sulfamethoxazole/m2of body surface/day in two doses. The total daily dose should not exceed 320 mg of trimethoprim and 1,600 mg of sulfamethoxazole.
Treatment
Adults: 5 mg/kg of trimethoprim/ 25mg/kg of sulfamethoxazole/12 hours for 6 weeks. Septrin 80 mg/400 mg tablets or Septrin Forte 160 mg/800 mg tablets are recommended.
Children: no data available
Granuloma Inguinal (Donovanosis)
Adults:160 mg of trimethoprim/ 800 mg of sulfamethoxazole, twice a day for a period of at least 3 weeks or until all lesions have completely disappeared. Septrin 80 mg/400 mg tablets or Septrin Forte 160 mg/800 mg tablets are recommended.
Nocardiosis
10-15 mg/kg/day of trimethoprim /50-75 mg/kg/day of sulfamethoxazole in two or more divided doses for a period of 3-6 months.In immunocompromised patients, treatment should be longer. All patients with CNS involvement should be treated for at least 1 year.
Brucelosis
Adults and children over 8 years: Septrin 80 mg/400 mg tablets or Septrin Forte 160 mg/800 mg tablets are recommended.
160 mg of trimethoprim/ 800 mg of sulfamethoxazole/ 12 hours (1 tablet of Septrin Forte 160 mg/ 800 mg tablets/ 12 hours or 2 tablets of Septrin 80 mg/400 mg tablets/ 12 hours) for 6 weeks.
Children under 8 years(in this age group, first-line treatment is considered):
10 mg/kg/day of trimethoprim and 50 mg/kg/day of sulfamethoxazole divided into two doses (i.e., 5 mg/kg of trimethoprim/ 25 mg/kg of sulfamethoxazole/ 12 hours) for 6 weeks.
Melioidosis
8 mg/kg of trimethoprim and 40 mg/kg of sulfamethoxazole (maximum 320 mg of trimethoprim/1,600 mg of sulfamethoxazole) every 12 hours for 3-6 months.
If you take more Septrin Pediatric 20 mg/100 mg tablets than you should
The symptoms of overdose include: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and confusion.
Acute trimethoprim overdose has been observed to cause bone marrow depression.
In case of acute overdose, vomiting should be induced. Gastric lavage should be performed. Depending on renal function, administration of fluids should be performed if urine elimination is low.
Both substances, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, are dialyzable by hemodialysis. Peritoneal dialysis is not effective.
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult the Toxicological Information Service. Tel.: 91 562 04 20.
If you forget to take Septrin Pediatric 20 mg/100 mg tablets
Do not take a double dose to compensate for the missed doses.
Like all medicines, Septrin Pediatric 20 mg/100 mg tablets may cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.
The side effects described for Septrin Pediatric 20 mg/100 mg tablets are classified by frequency and are as follows:
-Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people): hyperkalemia (elevated potassium level).
-Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): candidiasis (candida overgrowth), headache, nausea, diarrhea, and skin rash.
-Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people): vomiting.
-Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people): hypersensitivity reactions with eosinophilia (increased eosinophils) and systemic symptoms.
-Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people): leukopenia (decreased white blood cell count), neutropenia (decreased neutrophil count), thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet count), agranulocytosis (decreased granulocyte count), megaloblastic anemia (decreased red blood cell count and increased red blood cell size), aplastic anemia (bone marrow failure), hemolytic anemia (insufficient red blood cells), methemoglobinemia (inability of hemoglobin to transport oxygen), eosinophilia (abnormally high eosinophil count), purpura (red spots on the skin), hemolysis (red blood cell rupture) in G-6-PD deficient patients.
Serum disease (hypersensitivity reaction similar to an allergy), anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction), allergic myocarditis (allergic reaction affecting the heart), angioedema (fluid retention in the skin and mucous membranes), fever, allergic vasculitis similar to Schoenlein-Henoch purpura (inflammation affecting small blood vessels), periarteritis nodosa (vascular disease), systemic lupus erythematosus (immune system disease).
Hypoglycemia (decreased blood glucose), hyponatremia (decreased sodium level), anorexia (metabolic disorder). Depression, hallucinations, aseptic meningitis, convulsions, peripheral neuritis (nerve damage), ataxia (loss of coordination), vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dizziness, cough, difficulty breathing, pulmonary infiltrates, glossitis (inflammation of the tongue), stomatitis (mouth lesions), pseudomembranous colitis (inflammation of the colon), pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), hepatobiliary disorders (liver function alteration), photosensitivity (skin reaction caused by light interaction), exfoliative dermatitis (severe skin inflammation), fixed drug eruption (allergic reaction), erythema multiforme (allergic reaction affecting the skin), arthralgia (joint pain), myalgia (muscle pain), renal function impairment, uveitis (inflammation of the eye). Life-threatening skin eruptions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) (see section 2: Warnings and precautions).
some cases, skin eruptions that may be life-threatening have been observed, such as purple-colored, elevated, and painful lesions on the extremities and sometimes on the face and neck, with fibre (Sweet syndrome) (see section 2: Warnings and precautions).
Consult a doctor as soon as possible if you experience a severe skin reaction: a red, scaly rash with bumps under the skin and blisters (acute generalized pustular psoriasis). (See section 2: Warnings and precautions).
-Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people) side effects related to the treatment of Pneumocystis jiroveci (P. carinii) pneumonia: severe hypersensitivity reactions, eruptions, fever, neutropenia (decreased neutrophil count), thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet count), increased liver enzymes, hyperkalemia (elevated potassium level), hyponatremia (decreased sodium level), and rhabdomyolysis (muscle destruction or inflammation with severe muscle pain and weakness).
If you experience side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are not listed in this leaflet.
Reporting of side effects:
If you experience any type of side effect, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, even if it is a possible side effect not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish System for the Pharmacovigilance of Medicinal Products for Human Use:www.notificaram.es. By reporting side effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.
This product does not require special storage conditions.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the packaging after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
Dispose of the packaging and medication that you no longer need at the SIGRE collection pointat the pharmacy. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medication that you no longer need. By doing so, you will help protect the environment.
Composition of Septrin Pediatric 20 mg/100 mg tablets
Appearance of the product and content of the packaging
Septrin Pediatric 20 mg/100 mg tablets are white, round (with an approximate diameter of 7.4 mm), biconvex, and scored tablets.
PVC/Aluminum blisters of 20 tablets and 100 tablets.
Holder of the marketing authorization
TEOFARMA S.r.l.
Via F.lli Cervi, 8
27010 Valle Salimbene
Pavia – Italy
Responsible for manufacturing
Alcalá Farma, S.L
Avenida de Madrid 82, Alcalá de Henares
28802 Madrid Spain
Other presentations
20 and 100 tablet packs.
20 and 50 tablet packs.
100 ml pack.
Last review date of this leaflet: August 2021
The detailed and updated information on this medication is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/
Have questions about this medication or your symptoms? Connect with a licensed doctor for guidance and personalized care.