Safety of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim for the treatment of bacterial infection in outpatient settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis with active comparator disproportionality analysis.
Rebecca Preyra, Lujain Ez Eddin, Fatemeh Ahmadi, Atefeh Jafari, Flory T Muanda
{"title":"Safety of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim for the treatment of bacterial infection in outpatient settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis with active comparator disproportionality analysis.","authors":"Rebecca Preyra, Lujain Ez Eddin, Fatemeh Ahmadi, Atefeh Jafari, Flory T Muanda","doi":"10.1002/bcp.70051","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMX-TMP) is a widely used antibiotic for treating bacterial infections, but its safety in adult outpatients remains understudied. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the safety profile of SMX-TMP and identified critical research gaps. The pharmacovigilance study aimed to validate and extend findings from meta-analyses to better understand the real-world safety of SMX-TMP.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We searched MEDLINE and Embase up to 12 August 2024, to identify studies comparing adverse drug events (ADEs) following SMX-TMP vs. other antibiotics in adult outpatients. Meta-analyses were performed where data allowed. A pharmacovigilance study using the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System was conducted to supplement our findings.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our review, which included 43 studies, found SMX-TMP had a nearly 3-fold higher risk of rash compared to other antibiotics (pooled risk ratio 2.56, 95% confidence interval [1.69, 3.89], I<sup>2</sup> = 0%, n = 4458 participants, 24 randomized control trials). Pharmacovigilance data confirmed a higher frequencies of skin disorders and other ADEs compared to various comparator drugs. Compared to azithromycin, SMX-TMP was associated with a 5-fold increase in Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a 3-fold increase in toxic epidermal necrolysis, and a 10-fold increase in drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. Additionally, SMX-TMP showed a 10-fold increase in reports of pancytopenia, a 6-fold increase in neutropenia, a 4-fold increase in both thrombocytopenia and aplastic anaemia, a 56-fold increase in hyperkalaemia, and a 10-fold increase in hyponatraemia.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our meta-analyses and pharmacovigilance study suggested SMX-TMP was associated with increased risk of ADEs compared to other antibiotics including amoxicillin/clavulanate, azithromycin and nitrofurantoin. Further robust research is essential to confirm these safety signals and guide clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":9251,"journal":{"name":"British journal of clinical pharmacology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"British journal of clinical pharmacology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bcp.70051","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PHARMACOLOGY & PHARMACY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Aims: Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMX-TMP) is a widely used antibiotic for treating bacterial infections, but its safety in adult outpatients remains understudied. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the safety profile of SMX-TMP and identified critical research gaps. The pharmacovigilance study aimed to validate and extend findings from meta-analyses to better understand the real-world safety of SMX-TMP.
Methods: We searched MEDLINE and Embase up to 12 August 2024, to identify studies comparing adverse drug events (ADEs) following SMX-TMP vs. other antibiotics in adult outpatients. Meta-analyses were performed where data allowed. A pharmacovigilance study using the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System was conducted to supplement our findings.
Results: Our review, which included 43 studies, found SMX-TMP had a nearly 3-fold higher risk of rash compared to other antibiotics (pooled risk ratio 2.56, 95% confidence interval [1.69, 3.89], I2 = 0%, n = 4458 participants, 24 randomized control trials). Pharmacovigilance data confirmed a higher frequencies of skin disorders and other ADEs compared to various comparator drugs. Compared to azithromycin, SMX-TMP was associated with a 5-fold increase in Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a 3-fold increase in toxic epidermal necrolysis, and a 10-fold increase in drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. Additionally, SMX-TMP showed a 10-fold increase in reports of pancytopenia, a 6-fold increase in neutropenia, a 4-fold increase in both thrombocytopenia and aplastic anaemia, a 56-fold increase in hyperkalaemia, and a 10-fold increase in hyponatraemia.
Conclusion: Our meta-analyses and pharmacovigilance study suggested SMX-TMP was associated with increased risk of ADEs compared to other antibiotics including amoxicillin/clavulanate, azithromycin and nitrofurantoin. Further robust research is essential to confirm these safety signals and guide clinical practice.
期刊介绍:
Published on behalf of the British Pharmacological Society, the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology features papers and reports on all aspects of drug action in humans: review articles, mini review articles, original papers, commentaries, editorials and letters. The Journal enjoys a wide readership, bridging the gap between the medical profession, clinical research and the pharmaceutical industry. It also publishes research on new methods, new drugs and new approaches to treatment. The Journal is recognised as one of the leading publications in its field. It is online only, publishes open access research through its OnlineOpen programme and is published monthly.