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Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection User Reviews (Page 2)

Brand names: Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Co-trimoxazole, SMZ-TMP DS, Septra DS, Bactrim Pediatric, Bactrim IV Sulfatrim Pediatric Bethaprim Bethaprim Pediatric …show all brand names

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim has an average rating of 3.8 out of 10 from a total of 184 reviews for the treatment of Bacterial Infection. 20% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 61% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim

  • gnm
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 9, 2021

"YIKES!!! I deal with chronic sinusitis, I’ve had two surgeries because of it, so I have to take an antibiotic every so often to cure it. Now, I’ve taken bactrim before, yes it’s made me so sick in the past I couldn’t even finish it, but I’ve had to take it again due to a bad sinus infection. Worse than I remember! Day 2 of taking it I end up in the ER because my anxiety is through the roof, I can’t sleep, I am moody, loss of appetite, a bit confused, nauseous, like I’m here but not here, death thoughts (not suicidal, just a lot of thought around it), and just not feeling like myself. The ER doctor told me I need to see a crisis nurse because it couldn’t be the bactrim, but my ENT definitely has said it. Can’t wait for this to flush out of my system. I’m so glad there’s lots of reviews to beware. This is absolutely TERRIBLE!"

1 / 10
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19 Report
  • Dizzy...
  • August 3, 2016

Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Took it twice like I was supposed to in the morning And at night and my head feel I was drunk kinda like I kept get dizzy and feeling weird I don't know but I still don't feel right I feel like puking and being sick I want to the doctor and got amoxicillin instead and I don't feel any better and I have a zoo trip tomorrow and it made me feel awful and even worse. I still feel kinds drunk and dizzy and like I may pass out and like I'm scared to fall asleep because i may die"

1 / 10
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  • Rod
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 31, 2019

Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Bactrim has been the worst experience of my life. First I was on the IV for pcp pneumonia which is cleared up with not many side effects but once I went on the oral bactrim that all changed. My tongue is swollen and sore constantly. I have a hard time eating and my stomach is torn up from it all the time. I have a hard time sleeping because of the crazy dreams and it keeps me awake. And now I have developed a painful sore throat and swollen glands to the point I have trouble speaking. Eating has become awful! I hate this drug and my doctor continues to prescribe it to me."

1 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Chris...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 16, 2018

SMZ-TMP DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Side effects I got on the first dose: very bad headache, dizziness, difficulty urinating, irritated eyes, joint and muscle pain, fever with chills. I am still recovering, it's been over 12 hours, I've gotten maybe 4 hours of sleep while I started this. I had to discontinue it, and I contacted my doctor. My advice: Do not take if you have High Blood Pressure or a Thyroid condition, this medication seems to Interact with medications for those conditions as well as interact with those conditions themselves."

1 / 10
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  • James...
  • May 2, 2019

Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I took bactrim twice a day for 10 days after completing the script all the side effects started: dizziness, confusion, cramps in legs, swelling of glands one on the back of my head, two in my throat, my thyroid swollen too these are just the glands I can see. I also have problems urinating, burning from the kidneys down. Its been 7 days since my last dose I'm still having side effects when will this be over I wish I had never taken this medication."

1 / 10
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Are you taking this medicine?

  • Nick
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 13, 2019

"While the antibiotic combo sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim drug did the trick for my staph infection it wasn’t without a terrible time. I had a panic attack and confusion while I was driving with my pregnant wife. I knew it wasn’t a stroke but it still scared me enough to go straight to the E.R. to get checked out. My anxiety was through the roof my entire time I was on the medication. I knew the medication was causing this so I used breathing exercises to get me through my 10 days. I will never take this stuff again."

3 / 10
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  • tano
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 16, 2019

Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I took Bactrim 800mg for acne. 30 mins after taking it my vagina started burning intensely. I did take it and then get into my pool, so I thought it was from the chlorine. I got out showered and after a few hours the burning subsided. I took another pill and once again the burning started intensely. I went to bed slept through the night woke up and still have the symptom plus itchy eyes, face, and arms. I took benadryl and I am praying for relief. When I spoke to my mother about these symptoms, she said she had the exact same reaction. Beware!"

1 / 10
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  • Very...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 5, 2018

"DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG- worst prescription experience of my life. Insomnia, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts coming from someone who has never struggled with severe mental illness. Also experienced uncontrollable chills at night. Went off after first panic attack which was the night of day 2 taking the medicine."

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  • Jake
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 28, 2019

Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Prescribed Bactrim for sore throat after taking Amoxicillin for 4 days (culture test indicated that Amoxicillin would not work for the bacteria found). At first, side effects included drowsiness, weakness, confusion, overall sluggishness, severe anxiety, rapid heart rate, and insomnia. I am on day 5 of 7, and have regained strength and have less confusion/drowsiness; however, the anxiety, increased heart rate, and insomnia are still present. I have woken up twice in the middle of the night with rapid heart rate, anxiety, sweats, and inability to fall back asleep. Hopefully this will cease to be a problem once I complete the course. This antibiotic is definitely not for me, and will opt for an alternative should I ever need it again. I gave it a 3 (instead of 1) because I believe it has helped with the infection; however, side effects are awful for me."

3 / 10
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  • Trish
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 15, 2020

"I have a lot of medical issues and take a lot of medications and feel I have a stomach of steel because nothing really bothers me. Anyway, my Dr prescribed this antibiotic to me for an UTI...twice a day for 3 days. Doesn’t say the mg on the bottle so I have no idea. Anyway, the first day I did okay, second not so much. I woke up feeling very antsy and anxious like I needed my next “fix” and I am one who has never smoked even a cigarette in my entire life let alone any type of pot or illegal drugs to get high, so this feeling was very unsettling for me. My head hurt horrible and felt very fuzzy and dizzy. Was sure I must have contracted the Coronavirus but no temperature and otherwise fine. I roughed it out the 3 days but felt like rubbish the whole time and only today, 5 days after my last dose did I wake up without the fuzzy, needing my next fix feeling. I still have a headache but thank god the other side effects are wearing off. I will never take this medication again :("

1 / 10
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  • Lilly
  • July 29, 2019

Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "This is my 2nd time on Bactrim. I contracted MRSA after my c-section and although it does the job it’s prescribed to do I have never felt so lethargic, nauseous and just extremely sleepy. The nausea comes in waves all day long and I can hardly stay awake. I couldn’t figure out what was going on with me until I thought I bet it’s my antibiotic! Bactrim does the healing of staph infections but it reeks havoc on your body as well."

8 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • April 9, 2020

"I was on this sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim drug for 3 days 2 x a day. It was honestly horrible I have NEVER had issues with any antibiotic. I felt so nauseous and dizzy while taking it. I was getting heat flashes as well. I do not recommend this antibiotic. Worst experience with any type of medication."

1 / 10
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  • Nary
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 18, 2013

Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I have been on Bactrim DS for 6 days (4 more to go) and was diagnosed with MRSA. I feel the medicine is working VERY WELL but my side effects are bad! I feel nauseous ALL day. I have a hard time eating. I feel like I'm pregnant. My stomach cramps, sometimes bloated, a little bit of dizziness here and there, and always feeling like I am going to throw up. I'm just really glad that Bactrim DS is working for my MRSA because I really don't want to go through different meds and then having to end up being hospitalized because I couldn't find the right antibiotics for treatment."

7 / 10
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  • BDano
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 10, 2019

"I was put on Bactrim for MRSA flare up about month ago. It was working, and having taken it before with no issues, I didn't question it when I started have numerous aliments, physical and mental. - Racing heartbeat - Swollen painful esophagus, hard to swallow - Uncontrollable coughing/gagging at times - Upper abdomen pain - Headaches - Random sweating, tingling and itching skin - Rash flareups - Trembling body (hands especially) - Numbness/tingling in feet and hands - Red/stinging eyes and blurred vision - Dizziness/lightheaded - Feeling of being out of body at times - Noticeable fatigue - Feeling that I was dying (not suicidal thoughts) I was admitted to ER for atrial fibrillation (heart rate 122bpm). Blood work/x-rays came back fine and was sent home after given an anti anxiety pill. It came right back after that wore off. Thank God for forums like this, I was able to solve problem. Bactrim is a scary drug."

1 / 10
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  • James
  • June 28, 2017

Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I'm currently 15 months out from taking 2 pills of Bactrim and it was the worst side effects of my life. It started with uncontrollable anxiety and depression. I didn't feel connected with reality and I felt very confused. By the second night I was unable to sleep and that is still plaguing me. I shook the anxiety and depression within a few weeks but my sleep didn't become bearable for about 7 months and then it was still terrible. To this day I have poor quality sleep, confusion and occasionally onset insomnia. Avoid this drug. I also had a similar reaction to Levoquin. It gets better just ridiculously slowly. Others recover within days."

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  • Nature...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 17, 2019

"I took Bactrim for 1.5 days and stopped when the pain in my hips and lower back started. Then later fever and chills, weakness, jaw stiffness, minor headache and neck ache, then overnight, severe diarrhea and nerve jolts shooting up from my hips. The next morning my thighs ached, like it was moving down from my hips, minor head and neckache, ribs felt sore. I still had hip pain and lower backache. I felt like this drug was killing me, not knowing what the heck was happening to my body, my organs. All this after only 3 pills in a super healthy, 57 year old female body. It has been 2 weeks since I stopped this awful med and still have some hip pain but no stiffness. It is ok if I sit still usually and worse if I exercise. These and other's symptoms are not the allergic reactions or side effects listed for this med, they are far more severe. Why is this drug on the market???!!!!"

5 / 10
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  • Doll
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 17, 2020

Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Developed an abscess , doctor prescribed bactrim for infection along with opening and draining abscess. With in one hour of taking my first dose, I had this happen: throat started feeling tight , lips started swelling . With in hours throat became worse, fever developed and lips were covered with blisters . Later in the evening my eyes were burning like someone had dumped chemicals in them . I developed small ulcers on corneas. Vaginal soreness followed. I had a severe reaction to bactrim after one dose. It has now been 24hours and my condition has improved slightly . PLEASE think twice before taking this medication . Doctor says I’m very lucky to have not ended up in hospital."

1 / 10
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  • Sick...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 21, 2020

"I have a boil on my backside. It got bad in 2 days. Doctor said he thought it was MRSA, so he started me on 160mg sulfamethoxazole, 2 pills twice a day. They appear to be helping a little, but I have hot flashes, low fever, body aches, tinnitus, no stamina, and I am extremely anxious, tired, and panicky. This is the worst I've ever felt on any drug!"

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  • Valte...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 26, 2020

Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Day 9 out of 10 with this drug Bactrim and it works great clearing up my skin getting rid of acne and cyst, my only problem is that it is making me lazy not wanting to go out at all and not wanting to move around the house too much. I have been taking Florastor (probiotic) with it which is supposed to help with the side effects. Glad I'm done with this pill after tomorrow."

7 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • September 23, 2011

Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I have only had this medicine twice. The first time was without reaction. The second time however, I did experience trembling, weakness, especially in my legs, anxiety, and an itchy rash on my forearms. Not pleasant at all!"

5 / 10
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35 Report
  • Care...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 9, 2019

"Stay away!!!! Thee worst drug !! Been jumping out of my skin, jittery, feels like I’m high, even feels like it’s not even helping my condition of a UTI. Called Dr. to switch my antibiotic. Never again!! If a different Dr. suggests this med. in the future I will say NO!!! Give me something else...."

1 / 10
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  • L9364
  • April 19, 2017

"Got this for a UTi. Literally took 2 pills so far and I'm already planning to stop taking it. It's 2:30am and I cannot fall asleep but I am so tired, I am shaking uncontrollably and am having extreme anxiety along with nausea. Helped with the symptoms of my UTI so far but not worth the side effects."

2 / 10
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  • james...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 3, 2020

Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Was on the Bactrim antibiotic for 1 week to clear up epididymitis. It took around 4-5 days to notice any difference and I didn't really experience any sort of side effects other than anxiety which is something I already struggle with anyways but it seemed to amplify it and at times I felt confused and kind of dizzy. Make sure to drink lots of water and also I would recommend taking with food to avoid any stomach problems. Overall, the pain from epididymitis is gone and that is all I care about, I think the side effects are worth it and remember they are only temporary"

6 / 10
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  • K2b2
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 5, 2019

"Prescribed sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim for UTI which it seems to have helped but now I have painful sores all around my lips & some on the roof of my mouth. I seem to have an increase in anxiety & appear to myself dizziness, being off-balance & significant weight loss. So, I threw it out even tho I've only taken it 3 full days & I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack. Going into a doctor right now but they can jump in the lake if they think I'm going to finish this...period. Horrible medication!"

3 / 10
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  • Rock
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 23, 2020

"I had an abscess that popped and I believe I got a staph infection. Day 1 on sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim combo, I could tell the infection started healing overnight felt a tad nauseous. Day 2, started feeling a little dizzy and more nausea. Now on day three I puked all over the golf course trying to hit a couple of balls. Feel like complete crap. Head feels stuffy. Have no energy. Oh and last night I had the craziest dreams I’ve ever had. I’m on track to losing my penis by day 10. scared"

1 / 10
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13 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.