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Anti-infective Agents - Misc. WHO AWaRe: Access Prescription only

Trimethoprim — Compare Prices at US & Canada Pharmacies

Compare real Trimethoprim prices at US and Canadian pharmacies, see official FDA uses and warnings, and find generic alternatives. Save up to 83% by comparing US pharmacy prices.

Drug class
Anti-infective Agents - Misc.
Common forms
Tablet
Generic available
Yes
Legal status
Prescription only
AWaRe category
Access
Notable feature
Standalone antifolate, distinct from the more common sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim combination

What is the typical cost of Trimethoprim without insurance coverage?

The out-of-pocket price for Trimethoprim varies based on the quantity and strength of the prescription. Without insurance, patients typically pay around $87.09 for 30, 100mg tablets at retail prices. Prescription discount cards and manufacturer coupons available at many pharmacies can substantially reduce this cost. Comparing prices across different pharmacies and using available discount programs may help lower your final price significantly.

What should I expect to pay for Trimethoprim if I have insurance?

Your Trimethoprim copay will depend on your specific insurance plan's coverage, the dosage, and quantity prescribed. Insurance copays vary widely between plans. You may want to contact your insurance provider directly to learn your exact copay amount. Many pharmacies allow you to compare your insurance copay with discount card prices before filling your prescription, so you can choose the most affordable option available to you.

Is Trimethoprim covered under Medicare, and what are the costs?

Trimethoprim is typically covered as part of Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D). Your actual out-of-pocket cost depends on your specific plan's formulary, deductible, and coverage tier. For detailed information about your coverage and costs, contact your Medicare plan directly or speak with your pharmacist. If you lack prescription drug coverage, discount pharmacy programs may provide an alternative way to reduce your medication expenses.

What brand names is Trimethoprim sold under?

Trimethoprim is available as a generic medication. Brand names previously associated with trimethoprim include Primsol, Proloprim, and Trimpex, though many of these brand formulations are no longer actively marketed or may be difficult to obtain.

🇺🇸 United States
Lowest found, per pill
$0.16
Oral tablet/capsule, discount-card price
🇨🇦 Canada
Lowest found, per pill
$0.98
Oral tablet/capsule, USD equivalent
The US is typically cheaper for Trimethoprim Save up to 83%

"As low as" figures compare the single lowest oral tablet/capsule price found on each side — not necessarily the same strength or pack size. Always check the full tables below for your exact dose. Prices updated 2026-08-21.

Trimethoprim prices at US pharmacies

Trimethoprim — tablet, 100mg, qty 30

PharmacyRetail priceWith discount card
CVS Pharmacy Lowest $7.90 $4.90
Kroger Pharmacy $35.30 $32.30
Harris Teeter Pharmacy $35.30 $32.30
Walgreens $53.12 $50.12
Food Lion $63.89 —
Publix $68.08 $65.08
Walmart Neighborhood Market $69.16 $66.16
Walmart Pharmacy $69.16 $66.16

Trimethoprim prices at Canadian pharmacies

StrengthPharmacyPer pill (USD)Pack total
200 mg SPFPharmacy.com $0.98 $97.91 / 100
200 mg GoldStarMeds.com $1.06 $105.71
200 mg InhalersOnline.com $1.15 $115.38 / 100
200 mg 1800RxOnline.com $1.17 $117.46

Canada prices are converted to USD at time of collection and shown per tablet where available. Ordering from Canadian pharmacies is legal for personal use in most cases but subject to FDA/CBSA rules — see US vs Canada, explained.

What is Trimethoprim used for?

Trimethoprim on its own — distinct from the far more commonly prescribed combination sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, co-trimoxazole) — is an antifolate antibiotic historically marketed as Proloprim or Trimpex, used alone for uncomplicated urinary tract infections in adults. It blocks a bacterial enzyme in the folic acid synthesis pathway, the same mechanism that gives the sulfa combination its effect, but used alone it lacks the second, complementary mechanism sulfamethoxazole provides, which is one reason the combination product has historically been favored clinically and is far more widely prescribed and studied than standalone trimethoprim.

Because trimethoprim shares its core mechanism with the sulfa combination, many of the same considerations apply even without the sulfonamide component: it can affect folate metabolism, so it's used cautiously in patients at risk for folate deficiency, and it carries interaction potential with drugs metabolized through similar pathways, along with a documented ability to raise potassium levels in some patients, particularly at higher doses or in those with kidney impairment. Unlike the combination product, standalone trimethoprim doesn't carry sulfonamide-specific risks like Stevens-Johnson syndrome or sulfa allergy cross-reactivity, which can make it a reasonable alternative for a patient with a documented sulfa allergy who still needs antifolate-class treatment for a UTI.

Standalone trimethoprim is prescribed far less often today than the combination product, and brand names like Proloprim have become difficult to find, with most current prescribing relying on generic trimethoprim tablets specifically when a prescriber wants antifolate coverage without the sulfa component.

How Trimethoprim works

  1. Blocks bacterial folic acid production

    Trimethoprim inhibits an enzyme (dihydrofolate reductase) that bacteria need to make folic acid, which is essential for producing DNA and proteins.

  2. Halts bacterial growth

    Without functioning folic acid synthesis, bacteria can't produce the building blocks they need to grow and divide.

  3. The infection clears

    With bacterial growth halted, the immune system clears the remaining organisms, typically resolving an uncomplicated UTI within days.

Available forms

tablet

Related & alternative drugs

Commonly used for

Warnings & interactions

This is a summary of the official FDA label text, not personalized medical advice. It does not list every possible interaction or side effect. Always tell your prescriber and pharmacist about every medicine and supplement you take.

Common, usually mild

  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Indigestion

Serious — seek care promptly

  • Signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives, facial or throat swelling, difficulty breathing)
  • Signs of a blood cell count change (unusual bruising, fatigue, fever)
  • Elevated potassium levels, especially with kidney impairment

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim tablets are contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to trimethoprim or sulfonamides, in patients with a history of drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia with use of trimethoprim and/or sulfonamides, and in patients with documented megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency. Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim tablets are contraindicated in pediatric patients less than 2 months of age.

Warnings

WARNINGS Embryofetal Toxicity Some epidemiologic studies suggest that exposure to sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations, particularly neural tube defects, cardiovascular malformations, urinary tract defects, oral clefts, and club foot. If sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be advised of the potential hazards to the fetus.

Known drug interactions

Drug Interactions Potential for Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim to Affect Other Drugs Trimethoprim is an inhibitor of CYP2C8 as well as OCT2 transporter. Sulfamethoxazole is an inhibitor of CYP2C9. Caution is recommended when sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim is co-administered with drugs that are substrates of CYP2C8 and 2C9 or OCT2. In elderly patients concurrently receiving certain diuretics, primarily thiazides, an increased incidence of thrombocytopenia with purpura has been reported. It has been reported that sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim may prolong the prothrombin time in patients who are receiving the anticoagulant warfarin (a CYP2C9 substrate).

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Pregnancy While there are no large, well-controlled studies on the use of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim in pregnant women, Brumfitt and Pursell, 10 in a retrospective study, reported the outcome of 186 pregnancies during which the mother received either placebo or sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. The incidence of congenital abnormalities was 4.5% (3 of 66) in those who received placebo and 3.3% (4 of 120) in those receiving sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim.

Trimethoprim, by the numbers

Additional public data points beyond retail pricing — useful context, not a price quote.

$10.2M
Medicare Part D spend, 2024
187.0K
Medicare Part D claims, 2024
9
FDA-listed manufacturers (Orange Book)
$45.58
Federal (VA) contract price per pack (100)

Frequently asked questions

How much does Trimethoprim cost without insurance?
Retail (no-insurance) prices we found for Trimethoprim range up to about $69.16 depending on pharmacy, form, and quantity. With a free pharmacy discount card, the lowest price we found was $4.90. Your actual price depends on the exact strength, quantity, and pharmacy — see the tables above.
Is Trimethoprim cheaper in Canada or the US?
Based on the oral tablet/capsule prices in our data, the US was cheaper for Trimethoprim — as low as $0.16/pill in the US versus $0.98/pill in Canada, a difference of about 83%. This compares the single lowest price found on each side, not necessarily the same exact strength.
Is there a generic version of Trimethoprim?
Yes — our pricing data includes at least one generic listing for Trimethoprim. Generics contain the same active ingredient and are typically the lowest-cost option; check the price tables above for the generic rows specifically.
What drug class is Trimethoprim in?
Trimethoprim belongs to the anti-infective agents - misc. class of antibiotics. WHO classifies it as an 'Access' antibiotic under its AWaRe stewardship framework.

Learn more about Trimethoprim

In-depth answers to common Trimethoprim questions, fact-checked against the sources cited in each.

What is Trimethoprim used for?

Trimethoprim is a generic antibiotic prescribed to treat bacterial infections, most commonly urinary tract infections. It is also used to treat certain types of pneumonia and traveler's diarrhea. This medication works by disrupting bacteria's ability to use folic acid, an essential nutrient for their survival and reproduction. Trimethoprim is effective only against bacterial infections; it does not work against viruses or fungi. The dose and length of treatment depend on the type and severity of the infection being treated. Always take this medication exactly as directed by your healthcare provider, and inform them of any existing medical conditions or other medications you are currently taking before beginning treatment.

What are the possible side effects of Trimethoprim?

Common side effects of Trimethoprim include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, and indigestion. More serious side effects can involve changes in blood cell counts and allergic reactions. Although trimethoprim allergies are relatively uncommon, they can be severe and may present as hives, rash, itching, facial or throat swelling, or trouble breathing. In rare cases, severe allergic reactions can trigger anaphylactic shock—a life-threatening drop in blood pressure that requires immediate emergency care. Seek emergency medical attention right away if you experience signs of an allergic reaction. For a complete list of possible side effects and drug interactions, consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Adverse effects can also be reported to the FDA through their MedWatch program.


Sources

Page info

Prices last checked 2026-08-21. Reviewed against FDA and DailyMed official sources — see our review process. Not a substitute for professional medical advice.