fosfomycin trometamol at a glance
Medicine class
Bactericidal antibiotic
Licensed roles
Acute uncomplicated cystitis in women and female adolescents; prophylaxis around transrectal prostate biopsy in adult men
Form
Granules for oral solution in a sachet
Administration
Dissolve in water and drink immediately; food delays absorption
Notable ingredients
Contains sucrose and flavourings; the product information also includes a sulphite warning
What is fosfomycin trometamol used for?
The selected UK product has two licensed uses:
Treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis in women and female adolescents.
Antibiotic prophylaxis around transrectal prostate biopsy in adult men.
How does fosfomycin trometamol work?
Fosfomycin blocks an early stage in forming the bacterial cell wall, killing susceptible growing bacteria.
fosfomycin trometamol preparations and strengths
Oral solution
Route: Oral
Strengths: 3 g
How to take fosfomycin trometamol
Follow the prescriber's instructions. For cystitis, take the granules on an empty stomach after emptying the bladder.
Dissolve the prescribed sachet contents in a glass of water.
Drink the solution immediately after preparing it.
fosfomycin trometamol side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea or indigestion
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Vulvovaginitis
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis, with symptoms such as sudden rash, wheezing, breathing difficulty or collapse
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
- Moderate or severe diarrhoea with cramps, bloody stools or fever, suggesting antibiotic-associated colitis
fosfomycin trometamol in pregnancy
Use during pregnancy only when the prescriber considers it clearly necessary. Observational studies have not found an increased risk of major congenital anomalies after first-trimester exposure, although not every possible risk can be excluded.
fosfomycin trometamol while breastfeeding
Small quantities pass into breast milk. Use should be limited to circumstances judged clearly necessary by the prescriber; limited evidence suggests harmful effects in a breastfed infant are unlikely.
fosfomycin trometamol interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all medicines being taken. Important interactions include:
Metoclopramide
It reduces fosfomycin absorption and concurrent use should be avoided.
Other medicines that increase gastrointestinal motility
They may reduce fosfomycin absorption.
Oral anticoagulants
Antibiotic treatment or infection may alter anticoagulant effect, so additional INR assessment may be appropriate.
Common questions about fosfomycin trometamol
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is fosfomycin trometamol an antibiotic?
Yes. It is a bactericidal antibiotic that disrupts bacterial cell-wall production.
Is it licensed to treat a UTI in men?
Not with this selected product. Its licensed role in adult men is prophylaxis around transrectal prostate biopsy.
How are the granules prepared?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.