Deterioration in renal function in association with co-trimoxazole therapy

Deterioration in renal function has been observed in four patients who were taking co-trimoxazole. Three patients had stable chronic renal failure, and in two of these there was a further permanent impairment of renal function. The remaining patient received co-trimoxazole while recovering from a short episode of acute oliguric renal failure. It is suggested that co-trimoxazole be withheld, or used with caution in patients with impaired renal function.