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Trimethoprim

FDA-approved product (tablet, oral), marketed as Proloprim, Trimethoprim, Trimpex and 2 more.

Registered studies
50+
Lab records
56
Pathogens at ≥40%
3 of 4

Chemical structure

Chemical structure of Trimethoprim
A drawing shows what the molecule is, not what it does.

Existing / approved use

Documented · FDA, WHO, ChEMBL

Approved for

  • Bacterial disease
  • Infection
  • Otitis media
  • Pneumocystosis
  • Urinary tract infection

Indications ChEMBL records as approved, from FDA and DailyMed labels. Label ↗

WHO therapeutic group
Trimethoprim and derivatives
FDA pharmacologic class
Dihydrofolate Reductase Inhibitor Antibacterial FDA label ↗
Anti-infective classification
Classified as an existing antimicrobial.WHO ATC J01EA01; FDA class Dihydrofolate Reductase Inhibitor Antibacterial

Repurposing investigation

Trimethoprim is already an antimicrobial, so it is not counted among the repurposing candidates. Its AI-predicted activity is shown below for reference.

AI-predicted activity

AI prediction · nothing measured
  • MRSA79.2% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates. This medicine was in the model's training data, so this is recall, not a new prediction.
  • E. coli>99% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates. This medicine was in the model's training data, so this is recall, not a new prediction.
  • K. pneumoniae76.6% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates. This medicine was in the model's training data, so this is recall, not a new prediction.
  • M. tuberculosis9.6% AI-predicted activityBelow the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates. This medicine was in the model's training data, so this is recall, not a new prediction.

A model’s estimate of laboratory activity against each pathogen species. It is not clinical effectiveness.

Evidence

Clinical and experimental

Documented evidence

Clinical

50+registered studies name this medicine, for any condition. The registry search keeps the first 50, so there may be more. See them below.

Experimental

  • MRSA: measured active in 7 of 8 lab records
  • E. coli: measured active in 32 of 33 lab records
  • K. pneumoniae: measured active in 7 of 12 lab records
  • M. tuberculosis: measured active in 0 of 3 lab records
Show the 56 laboratory records, with sources

Loading records…

“Active” means the measured value reached this project’s laboratory cutoff (10 µM or stronger). A laboratory result does not show an effect in patients.

Docking

Computational · nothing measured

Dihydrofolate reductase ↗ (E. coli)

-7.4 kcal/mol

0better fit →-12

KPC-2 carbapenemase ↗ (K. pneumoniae)

-7.4 kcal/mol

0better fit →-12

Enoyl-ACP reductase (InhA) ↗ (M. tuberculosis)

-6.1 kcal/mol

0better fit →-12

Dihydrofolate reductase ↗ (MRSA)

-7.2 kcal/mol

0better fit →-12

AutoDock Vina, one experimentally solved protein per pathogen. This project’s screening target is -7.0 kcal/mol, its own mark rather than a universal cutoff. A docking score is a structural hypothesis, not proof of binding, and requires experimental validation.

Other medicines to investigate

AI prediction · nothing measured

Other repurposing candidates: approved medicines besides Trimethoprim with AI-predicted activity ≥40% against the chosen pathogen, leaving out existing antimicrobials. They are computational candidates for further investigation, not alternatives and not recommendations.

Sorted by AI-predicted activity, high to low. The order is not a ranking of which medicine is better.

Registered studies

A registration describes a study; it does not establish a positive result.

  • EAA-Guided AN69-oXiris and PMX-HP Therapy in Septic Patients

    NCT07788144 · start 2026-08-11

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07788144
    Conditions
    Hemoperfusion; Sepsis; ICU; Endotoxin Levels
    Interventions
    Adsorptive Hemofilter for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy; Polymyxin B-Immobilized Hemoperfusion Cartridge
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Enrolling by invitation
    Start
    2026-08-11
    Completion
    2028-12-31
    Enrolment
    50

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionHemoperfusion; Sepsis; ICU; Endotoxin Levels
    InterventionAdsorptive Hemofilter for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy; Polymyxin B-Immobilized Hemoperfusion Cartridge
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusEnrolling by invitation
  • Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy of BV100 Plus Low Dose Polymyxin B Plus Ceftazidime/Avibactam, or Plus Cefiderocol in Patients With Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Infections Due to Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii-calcoaceticus Complex

    NCT07431307 · start 2026-07

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07431307
    Conditions
    Ventilator Associated Bacterial Pneumonia (VABP); Hospital Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (HABP); Blood Stream Infection; Meningitis, Bacterial; Ventriculitis, Infectious
    Interventions
    BV100 with 50 mg polymyxin B plus ceftazidime/avibactam; BV100 with 50 mg polymyxin B plus cefiderocol; Best Available Therapy (BAT)
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 2
    Registry status
    Not yet recruiting
    Start
    2026-07
    Completion
    2028-07
    Enrolment
    120

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionVentilator Associated Bacterial Pneumonia (VABP); Hospital Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (HABP); Blood Stream Infection; Meningitis, Bacterial +1 more
    InterventionBV100 with 50 mg polymyxin B plus ceftazidime/avibactam; BV100 with 50 mg polymyxin B plus cefiderocol; Best Available Therapy (BAT)
    PhasePhase 2
    Registry statusNot yet recruiting
  • Intracalvariosseous Plus Intravenous Antibiotics for Moderate-to-Severe Bacterial Meningitis

    NCT07495150 · start 2026-04-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07495150
    Conditions
    Blood-Brain Barrier; Bacterial Meningitis
    Interventions
    Intracalvariosseous injection vancomycin/tigecycline/polymyxin B; Intravenous injection vancomycin/tigecycline/polymyxin B; Conventional treatment
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Not yet recruiting
    Start
    2026-04-01
    Completion
    2027-07-01
    Enrolment
    86

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionBlood-Brain Barrier; Bacterial Meningitis
    InterventionIntracalvariosseous injection vancomycin/tigecycline/polymyxin B; Intravenous injection vancomycin/tigecycline/polymyxin B; Conventional treatment
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusNot yet recruiting
  • Sebum Metabolomics and Lipidomics for Clinical Applications

    NCT07549828 · start 2026-04-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07549828
    Conditions
    Acne; Atopic Dermatitis; Seborrheic Dermatitis; Psoriasis; Healthy Subjects (HS)
    Interventions
    Sebutape sampling; Bacitracin/Polymyxin B/Neomycin ointment (Yentuogin ointment)
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Not yet recruiting
    Start
    2026-04-01
    Completion
    2029-03-31
    Enrolment
    200

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionAcne; Atopic Dermatitis; Seborrheic Dermatitis; Psoriasis +1 more
    InterventionSebutape sampling; Bacitracin/Polymyxin B/Neomycin ointment (Yentuogin ointment)
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusNot yet recruiting
  • A Phase I Study Comparing the Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Renal Effects of VRP-034 and Marketed Polymyxin B in Healthy Volunteers

    NCT07502144 · start 2026-04

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07502144
    Conditions
    Healthy Volunteers
    Interventions
    VRP-034 (Polymyxin B 500,000 IU); Commercially available Polymyxin B 500,000 IU (Poly-MxB)
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 1
    Registry status
    Not yet recruiting
    Start
    2026-04
    Completion
    2026-12
    Enrolment
    48

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionHealthy Volunteers
    InterventionVRP-034 (Polymyxin B 500,000 IU); Commercially available Polymyxin B 500,000 IU (Poly-MxB)
    PhasePhase 1
    Registry statusNot yet recruiting
  • Efficacy and Safety of BV100 Plus Low Dose Polymyxin B Versus Colistin Plus High-dose Ampicillin/Sulbactam in Patients With Hospital-acquired or Ventilator-associated Bacterial Pneumonia Due to Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii-calcoaceticus Complex

    NCT07326540 · start 2026-03-27

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07326540
    Conditions
    Hospital Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (HABP); Ventilator Associated Bacterial Pneumonia (VABP); Colistin Resistanrt ABC; Acinetobacter Baumannii-calcoaceticus Complex
    Interventions
    BV100 (300 mg); Polymyxin B; Colistin; Ampicillin-Sulbactam; MEROPENEM 2 grams TID
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 3
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2026-03-27
    Completion
    2028-03-30
    Enrolment
    248

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionHospital Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (HABP); Ventilator Associated Bacterial Pneumonia (VABP); Colistin Resistanrt ABC; Acinetobacter Baumannii-calcoaceticus Complex
    InterventionBV100 (300 mg); Polymyxin B; Colistin; Ampicillin-Sulbactam +1 more
    PhasePhase 3
    Registry statusRecruiting
  • ASK0912 Versus Polymyxin B for Injection in Adults With Hospital-Acquired or Ventilator-Associated Bacterial Pneumonia

    NCT07759934 · start 2026-03-25

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07759934
    Conditions
    Ventilator-associated Bacterial Pneumonia (VABP); Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (HABP)
    Interventions
    ASK0912 for Injection; ASK0912 for Injection; Polymyxin B Sulfate for Injection
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 2
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2026-03-25
    Completion
    2027-12-25
    Enrolment
    60

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionVentilator-associated Bacterial Pneumonia (VABP); Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (HABP)
    InterventionASK0912 for Injection; ASK0912 for Injection; Polymyxin B Sulfate for Injection
    PhasePhase 2
    Registry statusRecruiting
  • A Single Centre, Open-label, 2-period Fixed-sequence, Phase I Clinical Study to Evaluate the Effect of BV100 on the Pharmacokinetics of Polymyxin B in Healthy Volunteers

    NCT07580586 · start 2026-03-22

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07580586
    Conditions
    Healthy Adult Participants
    Interventions
    BV100 (300 mg); Polymyxin B (50 mg)
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 1
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2026-03-22
    Completion
    2026-12-30
    Enrolment
    16

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionHealthy Adult Participants
    InterventionBV100 (300 mg); Polymyxin B (50 mg)
    PhasePhase 1
    Registry statusRecruiting
  • A Post-Marketing Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Polymyxin B and Colistin Methanesulfonate in Patients With Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacterial Infection

    NCT06966284 · start 2025-11-26

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06966284
    Conditions
    Bacteremia Caused by Gram-Negative Bacteria; Bacterial Pneumonia
    Interventions
    Not recorded
    Study type
    OBSERVATIONAL
    Phase
    Not recorded
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2025-11-26
    Completion
    2028-11-30
    Enrolment
    480

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionBacteremia Caused by Gram-Negative Bacteria; Bacterial Pneumonia
    InterventionNot recorded
    PhaseNot recorded
    Registry statusRecruiting
  • The Safety and Microbial Changes in the Use of Intranasal Neosporin®

    NCT07698938 · start 2025-02-13

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07698938
    Conditions
    Teste the Safety of (Polymyxin B Sulfate 500,000 IU, Bacitracin Zinc 40,000 IU, Neomycin Sulfate 0.35g Neomycin Base) Intranasally
    Interventions
    Intranasal application of Polymyxin B Sulfate 500,000 IU, Bacitracin zinc 40,000 IU, Neomycin Sulfate 0.35g neomycin base
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2025-02-13
    Completion
    2025-03-23
    Enrolment
    12

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionTeste the Safety of (Polymyxin B Sulfate 500,000 IU, Bacitracin Zinc 40,000 IU, Neomycin Sulfate 0.35g Neomycin Base) Intranasally
    InterventionIntranasal application of Polymyxin B Sulfate 500,000 IU, Bacitracin zinc 40,000 IU, Neomycin Sulfate 0.35g neomycin base
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusCompleted
  • A Study on the Combination Therapy of Eravacycline for Treating Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii Pneumonia

    NCT06670872 · start 2024-10

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06670872
    Conditions
    Pneumonitis; Acinetobacter Baumannii
    Interventions
    Eravacycline combination therapy group
    Study type
    OBSERVATIONAL
    Phase
    Not recorded
    Registry status
    Not yet recruiting
    Start
    2024-10
    Completion
    2026-10
    Enrolment
    50

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionPneumonitis; Acinetobacter Baumannii
    InterventionEravacycline combination therapy group
    PhaseNot recorded
    Registry statusNot yet recruiting
  • Intraventricular Administration of Intracranial Infections Caused by (Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative Bacilli)CRGNB

    NCT06595979 · start 2024-06-25

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06595979
    Conditions
    Intracranial Infections
    Interventions
    Polymyxin B
    Study type
    OBSERVATIONAL
    Phase
    Not recorded
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2024-06-25
    Completion
    2026-12
    Enrolment
    222

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionIntracranial Infections
    InterventionPolymyxin B
    PhaseNot recorded
    Registry statusRecruiting
  • Comparison of Epithelial Lining Fluid and Blood Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Intravenous and Intravenous Plus Nebulized Polymyxin B in Multidrug Resistant Bacteria Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Patients

    NCT06076603 · start 2023-07-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06076603
    Conditions
    Polymyxin B; Ventilator-associated Pneumonia; Multidrug Resistant Bacterial Infection; Pharmacogenomic Drug Interaction
    Interventions
    nebulized polymyxin B
    Study type
    OBSERVATIONAL
    Phase
    Not recorded
    Registry status
    Unknown
    Start
    2023-07-01
    Completion
    2024-08-01
    Enrolment
    30

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionPolymyxin B; Ventilator-associated Pneumonia; Multidrug Resistant Bacterial Infection; Pharmacogenomic Drug Interaction
    Interventionnebulized polymyxin B
    PhaseNot recorded
    Registry statusUnknown
  • PK of BV100 in Patients VABP Suspected or Confirmed to Be Due to CRAB

    NCT05685615 · start 2023-04-20

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT05685615
    Conditions
    Ventilator Associated Pneumonia
    Interventions
    BV100 plus Polymyxin B; BAT
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 2
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2023-04-20
    Completion
    2024-12-11
    Enrolment
    39

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionVentilator Associated Pneumonia
    InterventionBV100 plus Polymyxin B; BAT
    PhasePhase 2
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Topical Antibacterial Agents for Prevention of COVID-19

    NCT05449392 · start 2022-09-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT05449392
    Conditions
    COVID-19; SARS-CoV2 Infection
    Interventions
    Neosporin; Vaseline
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 1
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2022-09-01
    Completion
    2023-09-22
    Enrolment
    67

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionCOVID-19; SARS-CoV2 Infection
    InterventionNeosporin; Vaseline
    PhasePhase 1
    Registry statusCompleted