HealthJuly 15, 2026
trimethoprim
/traɪˈmɛθəprɪm/
Definition
A synthetic antibiotic medication used as part of a combination therapy to treat specific parasitic and bacterial infections.
Etymology
The name is a chemical compound term derived from the prefix 'tri-' (three), 'meth-' (indicating a methyl group), and '-prim' (a suffix adapted from pyrimidine). It was coined in the mid-20th century to describe the drug's specific molecular structure.
In the news
In this article, trimethoprim is identified as a key component of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, the primary antibiotic treatment recommended for patients suffering from a Cyclospora parasite infection.
Oklahoma State Department of Health confirms 56 cyclosporiasis cases, 6 hospitalizations
Read the full article ↗KOSU