PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
SEPTRIN (4 April 1995)

That this House is alarmed at the thousands of people who have suffered horrendous side-effects, and in some cases death, as a result of having taken the antibiotic co-trimoxazole, brand name Septrin or Bactrim; notes that all major medical studies comparing the frequency of side-effects of Septrin with the frequency of side-effects of trimethoprim have found that trimethoprim has fewer adverse side-effects; notes furthermore, that trimethoprim has been found to be just as effective as Septrin in treating most minor infections; and therefore urges the Secretary of State for Health to undertake a thorough review of the licence for co-trimoxazole, limiting its use to the treatment of the few infections, such as pneumocystis in people with AIDS, where no equally good alternative drug exists.

Sponsored by:
Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour)