Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, pseudomembranous colitis, and spinal cord injury.

Antibiotic-associated colitis (pseudomembranous colitis) developed in four patients with spinal cord injury and taking oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. One hundred forty-eight (59%) of 251 patients with spinal cord injury who were evaluated had received this drug. Two of the four patients with pseudomembranous colitis did not promptly respond to therapy, and all four suffered significant further immobilization because of the disease. Pseudomembranous colitis readily occurs in at least certain population groups receiving trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.