Bactrim and medication

I was prescribed Bactrim for 10 days due to ear/throat/cough issues. After day 2 I had 102 fever, chills, sweats, extreme fatigue, and headache. After day 3/4 I started feeling severe doom and gloom. After day 5 I had insomnia and began having vision problems and felt like my eyes were "loose" in their sockets. I went back in, and saw a different practitioner, and reported my symptoms she thought it was my blood sugar and checked me for diabetes (which it wasn't). She ran more lab work, and chest xrays. Nothing came of it. On day 6 I began feeling a burning and itching sensation on my face, and throughout my head. Nothing helped. During all of this time I could not eat, and was extremely nauseated. I got online, and found all of my symptoms of Bactrim side effects. Needless to say, the bactrim is in the trash. In addition, last year my husband was prescribed bactrim for bronchitis, and ended up in the hospital. At the time they told us he had Scarlet Fever, but when we both went in this week, they stated it was an allergic reaction to Bactrim. He looked like he has a sunburn from head to toe, with a rash. He had 105 fever, and was severely dehydrated. I wish we would have been told that last year. They gave him a zpack this time, saying he was allergic to bactrim. I will never take this medication again, or have my family on it.

I stopped taking my Bactrim last night after a trip to the emergency room. From the first day of taking it for bronchitis, I started having headaches, pain behind my eyes and could not sleep well. On my sixth day of the medication, I started feeling dizzy and nauseated constantly. By day seven I was running fever of 101 and that evening, broke out into a rash from head to toes. My skin was itchy and tingling and it was getting difficult to breath. I immediately went to the ER. They have me taking Benadryl 3 times a day for 3 days until the rash clears up. I am not a fan of this medication….and I still have bronchitis!!

Wow, Im glad I found this site. I was prescribed Bactrim last week for a sinus infection. The 1st day I took it I felt horrible nausea, and had no energy whatsoever. Ive had horrible back pain all week, which I had not thought was related to this as well. My throat has been hurting, I was about to go for a strep test. I cant believe these are all most likely from the medication. I have 3 days to go on it. Im going to call my doctor in the morning and see if I should stop taking it.

I was prescribed Bactrim DS for mild acne. I was told to take it once daily for two weeks and then twice daily thereafter if I didn't have an adverse reaction, as my dermatologist indicated that it sometimes takes a long time for side effects to become evident using this medication. I am still in the one pill a day phase of my treatment and I am going to stop taking this medicine.

When I first started taking it, my lymph nodes in my neck became swollen, yet I did not have a cold or anything else that could immediately explain this symptom. My right lymph node in particular became very, very swollen and tender and was rock-hard to the touch. You could literally see it bulging out of my neck. It hurt to move my neck the wrong way and I could hardly turn my head because of all the pressure and soreness of my lymph node.

I stopped taking it for a few days and the size of the lymph node decreased, but it remained very full feeling and firm / rock-hard to the touch.

In addition, I have experienced persistent headaches and joint pain during the time I have taken this medicine. (I'm 21 years old, so joint pain is a symptom almost definitely linked to the Bactrim.)

I took ONE PILL last night, foolishly thinking it would be okay, and not long after I showered and got in bed, I began to feel a prickly sensation primarily from my groin up. It was a prickling, itchy sensation on my face, scalp, neck, arms, back, and even in my groin area. It was absolutely maddening and I couldn't get to sleep. At the suggestion of my fiance, I tried a second shower and that temporarily soothed it very slightly.

It is the day after that and I haven't taken it again, but I am still prickly / tingly / itchy all over and I believe I am beginning to develop a rash. I have also had a headache since last night, which began about 40 minutes after taking the pill. My lymph nodes are also inflamed yet again, so I have isolated the problem to be a result of the Bactrim. I will not continue to use this medication and I intend to contact my physician to request another course of prescription therapy.

Keep in mind that everyone's reaction to any medication is unique and some of the stories people have written on this site are extreme and unusual cases. Don't rush yourself to the emergency room just because you're taking Bactrim and you read about someone else's serious side effects -- all medicines affect people differently and you might experience minor side effects, if any at all. Call your doctor with any questions and get a second opinion if needed.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/HowToReport/default.htm

Go to this website to list your adverse reactions to the FDA. If they get enough data, they may pull this medication from the market.

I was recently diagnosed with MRSA and cellulitis. The doctors prescribed me Bactrim, taking two 500 mg pill twice daily for two weeks. I went back to the hospital today due to fever, swollen/ painful lymph nodes in my arm. They decided to change my medication which I was instructed to start tomorrow and continue Bactrim until the switch. Now my body is itching all over and is extremely sore.

I was prescribed Bactrim DS to treat an ORSA Staph infection following some vein surgery in my right leg. The original prescription was 1 pill 2xday with a refill after 7 days if needed. Since the infection did not seem to be responding very well and I had not developed any side effects (at day 7) I told my Dr. I was going to refill it. I continued to take it another 4-5 days when I then developed bumps and a slight rash on both of my lower legs. I went to the Dr. (my primary physician - not the vascular surgeon - who had originally prescribed the Bactrim) and was told it didn't "appear" to be an allergic reaction to the medication since it wasn't on my torso. Within two days the rash had intensified and spread all over my legs. Then within another 3 days it spread to my arms. The itching is relentless and varies between raw, searing, burning pain and plain old itch. Last night I cried myself to sleep for lack of any way to relieve it. The newest side effects are nagging pain in my right knee ( I've never had any joint pains before) and a feeling of tightness in my chest. I'll be calling my Dr. back tomorrow, if only to find out just how long I can expect this joy to last.

I will never, ever, take Bactrim or any related medications again.

Someday, some genius research scientist will invent a test to determine an individual's tolerance to this drug - BEFORE they take it and develop side effects.

THis website has been a tremendous help for me. Two days after I was prescribed 500 mgs of Bactrim twice daily, I started feeling really odd. First the achiness, then my left leg began to swell. I am not taking the meds anymore, but am now so fatigued, and sore, I feel as though I have had the flu for a week. I honestly do believe that it also has a negative effect on the liver. Just from the almost constant ache , I have on my right side. I just want to sleep all the time. I have not taken the meds for two days, and yet, the effects remain. Beware of this nasty medication. I don't know why the FDA allows its distribution!!

i grew up with many differently bladder problems. and almost every time when i was younger i was given bactrim for a uti or kidney infection. well eventually i was put on this medication so much i became immune to it so they stopped giving it to me for like ten years to see if i could continue using it. since that ten years has passed every time i now take bactrim i have a very strange side effect that i have never in a million years experienced before. after bactrim is in my system for about 24hrs i develop a rash. i know what your thinking normal but no not really. this rash like "burn" only shows up in my pubic area on the right side toward the top of where my pubic hair grows. and it itches like crazy. but whenever i go to itch it then it burns so badly it brings tears to my eyes it hurts. this "mark" only shows up in that spot. they have finally come to the conclusion that i am allergic to sulfa drugs. but even with that being said why doesn't the rash spread any where else. it is kinda embarrassing that it only shows up in that spot. now i'm concerned the ob-gyn wants me to get the gardasil injections and i was reading the ingredients in the vaccine and it contains hydroxyphosphate sulfate which i am concerned may be a sulfa drug which means i might not be able to have that vaccine.

Oh my God, a few days ago i went to ER at 3:30 in the morning cause i felt like i was gonna die and my leg hurt. of course they didn't care to check my leg, but they said i have UTI so i am on Bactrim right now. the first two days were fine, but now i feel as if i'm gonna die seriously. I feel like i have high fever (i don't have a thermometer) my eyes feel as if they're gonna burst out of my skull and my throwt is dry and just dry. my body is ackeing and i feel dizzy. Does anyone know if you can die from bactrim>? should i finish taking the doses given to me to take the UTI away? what do i do? my husband is already frustrated with my ackying but i seriously feel pain. any advice?

I just got bactrim prescribed to me when I had to go to the emergency room a few nights ago for an extremely high fever. They found it was a UTI and Kidney Infection. I started taking bactrim Wednesday morning and almost right away I started developing a headache. About an hour after it had begun, it turned into the most painful, throbbing headache I have ever experienced in my life. It does not go away at all. I have literally had it since Wednesday, all day, all night. Finally I called my doctor today and they said they had "no idea" why I was experiencing these problems. I told them that it started almost immediately after starting to take this medication and I was simply told that "antibiotics don't cause headaches". I beg to differ!!! I'm on day three, four more to go. I honestly can't stand this. It's interfering with my whole life. I would avoid this antibiotic if possible.

I am prone to getting uti's. I usally take cipro with no side effects and goes away with in 2 days. I went to a different dr. this time and she prescribed my bactrim. I cant believe this drug is still on the market. The first day i was fine, the second day i woke up with a major headache. I ignored cause at the time i didn't know it was from this medication. As the days went on the headache was still there and nothing seem to help it. I stared becoming dizzy all the time. On the third or forth day i became violently ill. Fever, chills, throwing up, dizzy, my entire body was sore and could not get rid of this headache. It last for about a week. When i went back to see the doctor. She told me it wasn't from the drug. I KNOW IT WAS!!! It wasn't until my husband did some research on this drug and found out i was having a allergic reaction to the bactrim. I will never take this medication again and believe it should be taken off the market.

After 8 days of taking bactrim I woke up to bad hives all over my body! The itching was soooooo bad. I was scratching myself bloody. I took benadryl and it did not help. My doc gave me prescription antihistamines and it took about 4-5 days.

My 17 year old son was diagnosed with MRSA after getting an injury on his knee from playing basketball.After the first does he had a loss of appetite, fatigue, nauseous and severe headache. By the third day he got a fever, chills, neck stiffness and a feeling of doom. We went to the ER because his blood had not been cultured and we were afraid of sepsis in the blood. The ER doctor said it was most likely viral and sent him home. The next night he had a fever of 103, sore throat, trouble swallowing, sun burnt look, swollen eyes and cracked swollen lips.The next day we went to the urgent care and they tested him for mono, strep and the flu...(all negative). He felt awful and was so tired and feverish. The next morning he woke up with a severe rash and itching all over his body and his skin looked like it was scalded. His blood culture came back negative for bacteria and his wound has healed. I have taken him off of this drug Bactrim. This is his first day. His rash is better and his fever was down for a little while. It is 101 tonight and he just feel so tired and achy. I know it will take time for this to get out of his system. Meanwhile he is missing school and is getting depressed because he feels like he will never get better. If someone told me that fever and chills were a side effect from this drug I would not have been so worried that he could die of a blood infection. Ask lots of questions or google this site before taking a new drug.

I was prescribed Bactrim DS for what was either a spider bite or cellulitis. I have been taking it for 8 days out of the 10 I was told to take it. I will not be taking anymore of this horrible stuff! Just a s few hours ago, I took the last pill. My arms are now covered in bright red spots. And my eyes are red and itchy. I have NEVER had an allergic reaction to ANY medication before, so I didn't think I would have one to this. I hear it is the sulfer that people are allergic to. If you are prescribed this stuff and you aren't sure if you are allergic, I strongly suggest you not take it.

I have taken Bactrim on a few different occasions, all with the same bad reaction.

I am very prone to getting UTIs, especially after sex. It has been like this for years. One of the first times I got a UTI, I was prescribed Bactrim. There were not really any other side effects except for a small area, about the size of 2 quarters, on the side of my stomach, right below my rib, that turned reddish and itched. I told my doctor about it and he dismissed it, saying it couldn't be bactrim as the cause, he's never heard of it, etc. When I was done with the antibiotic, the "rash" or red area faded slowly, but left a grey mark in it's place that has not gone away in 5 years now and counting. It is PERMANENT DAMAGE from this medication.

I was younger, so I never cared to write down the medication name... later on, I had another UTI and was given Bactrim again. Somewhere during treatment I felt myself itching the same area, I lifted my shirt, and there it was, inflamed again.... again I didn't list it as one of my allergy medications and was prescribed it at least a 3rd time... with the same occurring.

I know for a fact that it was bactrim causing it. It is obvious that the 3 times I took it, the same mark that was caused by bactrim to begin with.. turns red during ingestion of the medication. I do not know why it stays localized to one area and does not spread, I don't know what kind of organs it might have been affecting in that area.. I wish I had a clue because I am very curious...

But bactrim has left a permanent scar on my body, and not only outside, but god knows what it has done inside that has caused this to surface out.

I am a 52 yr old woman who was rushed by ambulance to the hospital on Sunday 4, 2009. I awaken with a horrible ripping pain in my lower left side and back. It reminded me of labor pain although it was worse because I knew I wasn't about to have a baby. I could barely walk and the pain kept me bent over, and burning in agony. After being x-rayed and diagnosed I was told I had a very tiny kidney stone, along with a UTI. I was told they could manage my pain better if they kept me overnight, with hopes I'd pass the tiny stone by urinating in a little strainer cup, to catch the stone. I've not seen the stone yet, and this is the 3rd day. Anyway, I awaken in the hospital after being knocked out by pain medication, with an excruciating headache, as if someone was putting pressure on my neck and back of head. I also noticed a big red rash on my forehead. The nurse gave me benadryl, and continued my doses of Bactrim, and Flomax. When I was released the next day I was given a prescription to fill, Bactrim 2X 3 day therapy, Flomax, and Vicodin. Recovering at home I've had an excrutiating headache the entire 3 days.. I had nausea, felt chills, had no appetite, and felt dizzy and as if I'd throw up every time I got up. I ran a low grade fever of 100*. After reading this site I know that it had to be the Bactrim that caused all those horrendous side effects.This is the fourth day since I was diagnosed and I still have a UTI, and will be calling my doctor in the morning, thanks to post like these.

I am a 54 year old male who was prescribed bactrim by his ENT for a staff infection. I was taking 3 pills per day after each meal. I had no past health issues and never have been hospitalized. On my 8th day of Bactrim, I had major head pain, pain so severe i was vomiting, and lost 20 pounds. I woke up the next day Jaundice. I took a blood test and my alt hit 800, ast hit 500, bilirubin was 6.5, blood in my urine. Now, 5 months later and of course, off the drug since mid-July, my level alt level is still 240 and ast 140. These levels are way too high, and now need a liver biopsy. My GI doctor tells me unlikely that this was bactrim induced, right! Please, I never had a problem until taking this medication, and now who knows if my liver will ever return to normal and what other health issues will now take place.

I was prescribed Bactrim by an ER doctor after seeing them to have a procedure done to drain an infection underneath my fingernail. I completed my medication without having any known side effects. (however I was itching a lot underneath my feet, but I didn't realize it was a side effect at the time). The day after I finished the medicine I developed flu like symptoms. I had chills, hot flashes,fever, my whole body was aching. Even my eyes hurt! I stayed home from work for two days, expecting to come down with the flu then surprisingly on day 3 all of the flu symptoms left. Then I developed sever itching all over my body. I tried lotions, bath soaks, anti-itch creams. But it just won't seem to go away. I have also developed a yeast infection. The bottom of my feet itch like crazy and are red. This is my 4th day off the medication and my 3rd day of severe itching. I am wondering how long these symptoms will last. I am glad I found this site because I was really wondering what was going on with that "flu" symptom thing. I will never use Bactrim again!!

HI- I was also checking in on the die effects of this drug and ran into this site. I am on my 6th day of bactrim and feel like my legs are going to explode. Yesterday I had chest pain and an upset stomach. I was prescribed the bactrim on my second visit to the ER caused by a bladder cystitis. I had a very large amount of blood in my urine and bled for 4 days. I feel better but I don't feel 100% myself still. Freaking out that it has such a reaction time after the medication has finished.

I was given Biaxin for a sinus infection that never cleared up. So the doctor gave me Bactrim. I took one before I went to bed. I woke up all jittery and full of anxiety. Sometimes this happens, because I do have agoraphobia with panic disorder. I took my second dose with breakfast. About 3 hours later my gums started to burn; like I ate too much salt. It was irritating, but did not realize it was from the antibiotic. Then my teeth started to hurt really bad everywhere, and it felt like electrical shocks going down my body. My skin turned all colors of blotchy purple and yellow. I started to shake so bad that it hurt. My Dad rushed me to the emergency room. I was given epi, steroids, and an anti-inflammatory. Then monitored for 2 hours. Which was hell, because I have agoraphobia.

I was sent home with prednisone and benadryl. It has been six days since this has happened, and I still have the chills. I feel like I have the flu. My teeth still hurt, and advil won't even help it. I have a constant headache. This medication should be banned. I only took 2 doses and became so ill. When do the side effects finally stop?

I was prescribed this for a UTI. Dosing was one pill twice a day for 3 days. I took one dose of this medication & the side effects were awful. I am not allergic to anything & was shocked that I had a reaction to Bactrim.

I took my first dose at 1pm and actually started to feel pretty decent (better than I had in days) but by 7pm the side effects started. I had pins & needles feelings all over my body that are still present (almost 48 hours after taking med) side pain, joint pain, rash, fatigue. No headache thank goodness!

I didn't stay on this medication because to be honest the side effects and all of the things I am reading on the internet have scared me. My UTI appears to be better - however after just one pill - Im certain its not cleared up.

My 10 year old daughter was given Bactrim at an ER for infected bites. Within a couple days she was running a 104.8 temp that would not go away and from her knees up she had a rash with whelps that was driving her crazy. She was pale under the rash and every bone in her body hurt. We rushed her to the hospital and she was admitted. They said her blood palates were low and her white blood count was low...then her potassium also dropped. We spent 3 days and 4 nights there. Today we go back for a check up with her doctor...and I will express my concerns about the kidney problems I have read about today. I am now warning everyone I talk to about this drug. Seems the more I share her story the more people I found out this has happened to ..I feel like I should of been warned of the side effects of the medication

My mother is on Bactrim for a UTI. She has Alzheimer's disease, but can normally function pretty well. Two days after starting the three day treatment she got more confused and couldn't even figure out how to take her medication. Now she has leg pain, muscle weakness, and joint pain although I think it has helped the UTI.

I'm not a person that necessarily thinks the drug should be removed from the market because of what I've read here. We aren't reading posts from the thousands of people that it has helped without ill effects. All drugs potentially have side effects. There is always the potential for adverse reactions or allergic reactions. As a matter of fact, many people on this forum continued to take the medication when they were clearly having allergic reactions making themselves sicker in the process. We must be diligent and educate ourselves about medications and not just rely on someone else to tell us that it is fine. That being said, I feel for those on this board who have endured such suffering and hope that they recovered without incident.

Your website helped me know that I was not dying or crazy when I was prescribed to Bactrim. I went to an Urgent care facility to treat a UTI. I have had them in the past and figured it would be a quick fix. The prescribed Bactrim twice per day for 7 days. After the first day I developed a sore throat. After the second day my body began to ache a bit. After the third day, I almost collapsed from faintness. I stopped taking the medication because of how it was making me feel and since I saw NUMEROUS online complaints (like this site) on how awful the medication was. I though I would feel better after stopping the medication but it only got worse. That is when I developed a fever with severe flu like symptoms and also vaginal sores. I was confined to my bed for two days and this was two days after I stopped the medication. After day three of no medication I began to feel better. Today (day 5 of no medication) I went to see my PCP( which is an internal medicine doctor who I should have just went to to begin with). He said I would be fine and I am allergic to Sulpha drugs. He also stated that mosts UTI's clear after three days of treatment. In addition he stated that most women have resistance and reactions to Bactrim and that Cipro would have been a better choice. Although Bactrim is a lot cheaper than Cipro. I would NEVER recommend Bactrim to anyone!!! I thought I was dying! I am getting tested for STD's incase that is why I have sores (highly doubtful) but I'll let you know.

First morning of being off the Bactrim and I'm still experiencing the same side effects in my previous post, however, I see that I failed to mention the extreme light sensitivity in my eyes and the chills, sweats, and all over muscle pain and joint pain. Last night I felt like I was dying or something. I was able to work with the UTI...but not able to make it in today w/all these side effects still happening. Again...if at all possible please avoid taking this medication!

I was prescribed the generic for Bactrim for the last ten days for cellulites around a bug bite.........fortunately, i did not have as many of the horrible side effects reported by some, but i realize now that about 7 days into taking it i started to develop a small lump on back of my neck, right below hairline, tender to the touch, now after i have finished day 10, i have two more bumps.....i freaked out, but now after reading some of these posts, it seems it might just be a common side effect with this medication for some.........guess they're just swollen glands.......since I'm done taking already, i guess there's not much to do but to wait for the glands to return to normal!! thanks for the posts, it helps to validate my experience!!

Just got prescribed Bactrim today for a URI. I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and am very sensitive to ANY medications anyway. THANK GOD I had the brains enough to be cautious and only take a 1/2 of a tablet (I am the butt of many jokes in my family because I am almost medication-phobic due to side effects) but I just took a 1/2 a tablet and 11 hours after taking it, I have a swollen face, eyelids, etc., a bloodshot eye, nasal passages are swollen completely shut, have heart palpitations, and my urine is BROWN. Yes, BROWN. OMG I am not taking another pill, it should be removed from the market. You all know that SOME day, we'll be seeing some attorney commercial on TV asking for people that have been injured/death from side effects of this drug......unbelievable doctors are still prescribing this as I believe they've got to be getting complaints about it all the time. I had a friend that worked for a doctor and she told me that SOME doctors push certain drugs to their patients based on the good "perks" the drug reps give their office (lunches for staff, vacations for doctors, etc) shouldn't be that way but is for compensation for prescribing their drugs more than a competitors. Sad. Pray for me no long-term damage has been done.

I started bactrim for a mild UTI. It was a 7 day dose, twice a day. I've never had any problems with any medication before. I finished all the pills on Tuesday, and woke up with a rash all over my face, neck, arms, stomach, back, and thighs on Thursday. All day I was feeling weak and near fainting when I stood up. I had chills, itched, and yet was hot at the same time. I believe I had some palpitations. Also a fever and swollen lymph nodes all over my neck and upper back. As the day went on the rash spread all the way to my feet and it went from blotchy to solid red. we currently don't have insurance so I'm pretty much currently stuck this way. My whole body itches, tingles, and I can't sleep.

DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG ! ! ! I would not even risk it ! I would much rather have a UTI !

I started Bactrim for a UTI and felt horrible the whole time. Sick to my stomach, trouble breathing, headaches, loss of appetite. Once I asked my husband to call 911 because I almost passed out. But then I said, wait, let me settle down. I did that and continue with the medication thinking it was the UTI. Then I went to urgent care because I was suffering from a yeast infection from the Bactrim too. The 9th day on Bactrim I got worse, I started to break out in hives. By the 10th day I rush to urgent care covered head to toe in hives with trouble breathing and bumps on my tongue and mouth and throat. The doctor said, you're are having an allergic reaction to the Bactrim. He gave me a shot of cortisone and Prednisone l for the inflammation. My stomach is swollen, my body aches, I still have a terrible yeast infection and read that if you have fungal and are taking Prednisone, that's not good either. So I am at odds because my breathing is labored and I am hoping the Prednisone works and I can make it another day or else, I will go to the emergency tonight. This is no fun....I sent this list of complaints to the FDA's attention today. I hope they listen and look at this page seriously and all those who continue to write.

Four days ago I was prescribed Bactrim for Bronchitis from an Urgent Care facility. First couple days I had trouble sleeping, chills,headaches and nausea. Now on the fourth day I woke up with hugely swollen lymph glands. Almost bigger than the size of a quarter. Tender and painful too touch. Worried if I continue with the medication they'll only get worse. Going to stop medication before ten day requirement. Painful bumpy neck not so attractive.

I am a 38 yo female. Took bactrim for UTI. Two and half days into treatment, I could not sleep. Strange dreams, agitation. Next day, absolute feeling of panic, anxiety, restlessness, loss of appetite, weakness in hands, confusion, sweating, heavy heartbeat. Went to ER, they were unfamiliar with this reaction. Seems to take quite awhile to get the medication out of your system. I will never take bactrim again.

Developed Systematic Candiasis, dry mouth, etc. It put some things out of wack. Asside from that I wouldn't say anything horrible as a result of this medication.