Effect of Folic and Folinic Acid on Cytopenia Occurring during Co-trimoxazole Treatment of Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia

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Abstract
12 AIDS/ARC patients with or suspected of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia were treated with co-trimoxazole and received supplementary folk or folinic acid to avoid peripheral blood cytopenia. Most patients developed decreased numbers of neutrophils and hemoglobin while receiving co-trimoxazole. Supplementary folate/folinate could not abolish the drug-induced cytopenia. Routine prescription of folinic acid is not recommended. Folic acid is cheap and may be beneficial and should be prescribed.