Can You Take Omeprazole And Trimethoprim Together?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not there is a drug interaction between omeprazole and trimethoprim.
Hello, I currently take trimethoprim 300mg twice daily for my acne. I have recently been put on omeprazole 40mg to treat what is suspected silent reflux. Can these medications be taken together? as in the same day?
Jun 22, 2022- Omeprazole and trimethoprim have no drug interaction and are safe to take together.
- Omeprazole works best when taken 30 minutes before breakfast or dinner so it's ready when acid-producing cells become active.
- Trimethoprim can be taken with or without food and does not have specific timing requirements with other medications.
Thanks for reaching out to us!
We're always more than happy to help out.
First and foremost, there is no drug interaction between trimethoprim and omeprazole. They are considered safe when combined.
Now, even though certain drugs can have no reported interactions, that doesn't necessarily mean they can be taken at the same exact time, as many drugs have specific requirements for optimal absorption. So, let's take a look at each of these.
Omeprazole Administration
You mentioned you are taking omeprazole for 'silent reflux', which is also known as laryngopharyngeal reflux.
PPIs (proton pump inhibitors), like omeprazole, are the most commonly used drugs for this condition.
For best effect, omeprazole should be taken 30 minutes before breakfast (or dinner). This is because omeprazole only binds to, and inhibits, acid-producing cells when they are active.
Taking omeprazole 30 minutes before food ensures the drug is absorbed and ready to work prior to the acid-producing cells (parietal cells) becoming active.
Trimethoprim Administration
Trimethoprim is an antibiotic and is most commonly used in combination with another antibiotic, sulfamethoxazole, to treat a variety of bacterial infections.
Trimethoprim, as a single agent, is most commonly used to treat acne. It can be taken with or without food, and without regard to most other medications (as long as those medications don't interact with it).
Taking Together?
Based on what we know about the recommended administration for both omeprazole and trimethoprim, which I've written about in the section above, it is safe to take them together, even at the same time, and certainly the same day.
Final Words
Thanks again for reaching out!
Please feel free to contact us anytime!
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Drug interaction
- A situation where one medication affects how another medication works in your body.
- Absorption
- The process by which a medication enters your bloodstream and becomes available to work in your body.
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux
- Acid from your stomach flowing backward into your throat and voice box, often without obvious symptoms.
- PPIs
- Proton pump inhibitors; medications that reduce stomach acid production.
- Parietal cells
- Stomach cells that produce acid.
- Antibiotic
- A medication that kills bacteria or stops bacterial growth to treat infections.
- Sulfamethoxazole
- An antibiotic commonly combined with trimethoprim to treat bacterial infections.
- Bacterial infections
- Illnesses caused by harmful bacteria growing in or on your body.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
More answers from Brian →