AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease. I am already a well established and highly rated expert in the pharmacy section of this site.
Publications Principal author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" Editions 1-4 published between 1994 and 2004 by Pearson Education, Australia. Author of the 5th edition published 2007.
Author of many scientific papers.
Education/Credentials BSc(Hons);MSc;PhD;HECert
Awards and Honors The 4th edition of my textbook was awarded the the Educational Book of the Year Award in Australia.
Past/Present Clients See my profile in the pharmacy section.
Question Good afternoon, Dr. Galbraith. I just finished taking the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim for 14 days because of a urinary tract infection. On Day 13 of taking this antibiotic, I went to get a blood/urine test and my aspartate transaminase (AST) was elevated (it was 82 U/L). Is it possible this antibiotic caused this elevation? 35 or 37 is the upper limit for the reference range for AST.
Thanks a lot!!
David
Answer Dear David
Yes, this ntibiotic can cause an elevation in some liver enzymes but this is generally nothing to worry about. The level usually quickly falls after cessation of the drug(s). Have them checked about ten - fourteen days after this cessation.
