Co-trimoxazole(Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) vs Nitrofurantoin

National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)

Data updated March 2026

Nitrofurantoin was dispensed 12.9× as often as Co-trimoxazole(Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) in March 2026 — 361,710 items versus 28,105 in England.

28,105items

Co-trimoxazole(Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

361,710items

Nitrofurantoin · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Co-trimoxazole(Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) versus Nitrofurantoin: national items dispensed by month

▬ Co-trimoxazole(Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) · ╌ Nitrofurantoin

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026

Co-trimoxazole(Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) versus Nitrofurantoin, March 2026
Measure	Co-trimoxazole(Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole)	Nitrofurantoin
Items, March 2026	28,105	361,710
Items, last 12 months	312,035	4,429,854
Net ingredient cost, March 2026	£87,786	£2,481,311