How do you say sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP)?

Welcome to the 14th episode in my drug name pronunciation series! Today, we’re talking about sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. This antibiotic is also known as Bactrim or Septra and abbreviated SMZ-TMP. It’s one of the top 200 drugs in the US.

In my pronunciation episodes, I break drug names down into syllables, explain which syllable(s) have the emphasis, reveal the source of the information, and put the written pronunciations in the show notes so that you see them and use them right away.

The purpose of these pronunciation episodes is to provide the intended pronunciations of drug names from reliable sources so that you feel more confident saying them and less frustrated learning them. I hope this episode helps!

Highlights from this episode

Sulfamethoxazole = SUL fa meth OX a zole. It has 6 syllables:

“SUL” like sulk *secondary emphasis on this syllable

“Fa” like familiar

“Meth” like methanol

“OX” like the animal (ox) *Primary emphasis on this syllable

“A” as in the schwa vowel sound “uh”

“Zole,” which rhymes with “mole”

Trimethoprim = try METH oh prim. It has 4 syllables.

“Try,” like I’m TRYING to pronounce this drug name!

“Meth,” like methanol *Emphasis on this syllable

“Oh,” like the letter “o” in the alphabet. (When I say it fast, it sounds like an “uh.” “Uh,” like a schwa vowel sound: “uh.”)

“Prim,” like primitive

Disclaimer: I do not work for USP, and I am not compensated in any way for mentioning the USP Dictionary Online. It’s just my favorite reference for generic drug name pronunciations. Thank you to the USP Legal Dept for permission to use written pronunciations in my podcasts and YouTube videos!

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Links from this episode

USP Dictionary Online (USAN)

USP Dictionary’s (USAN) pronunciation guide (Source: American Medical Association’s

website)

National Poison Prevention Month is March

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