SMZ-TMP DS side effects

I began taking SMZ on the evening of 11-16--09. 2 a day for the duration. On thursday afternoon my hands began to quiver and shake and I felt very week. I was dizzy and could barely walk. I usually read the side effects of drugs but I have had the same doctor for 20 years and didn't much think that he would prescribe such a menace to society. That evening I went to the ER and my symptoms were "flu-like" but I had no fever, BP was fine and EKG was OK. I got on the net and discovered side effects that exactly matched what I was experiencing. I felt fine saturday and worked around the house. Later, the symptoms started again (my last dose was thursday evening) only this time my insides were quivering and I had palpatations. What the hell was the FDA thinking with this stuff? Someone got a new car in the driveway. Has anyone died because of this crap? My whole life I have never been allergic to sulfa drugs. Could be the PABA. Remember years ago when they had to remove it from sun protection products because it caused a severe rash? I think it's the same product. Coppertone advertised "PABA free products" and was successful in overcoming a possible problem.

Ed from Columbia

I started the antibiotic on sept 23rd at night. Everything was going good until Monday night. I started having problems sleeping. Tuesday I went to work tried to run but I almost fell. Went to the emergency room with burning pains in my chest and my legs and hands kept trying to make me do a back bend. The doctors told me there was nothing wrong with me and they gave me a shot for pain. It didn't help. I tried to walk my calves were really bruised. I could not go out in any form of heat. My lips would become white and I would have problems breathing. The doctor checked my sugar and said it was at 117 a little bit high for someone who wasn't eating. So he did lab on me. My medicine was for 2 weeks and 1 extra day. The doctors lab took about a week and by the time I had gotten the results I had already finished the antibiotic. He told me I had Steven Johnson syndrome and that I was his second case he has ever seen. My hands hurt to lift or touch anything. My feet swell and turn purple. My lips become white and I have some problems breathing. And that's because it's over a month already since I have taken it. I still haven't gotten my appetite back. During the 2 weeks of taking this medicine I lost 13 pounds. Doctor told me he was glad that I didn't get the blisters. I drenched my skin in Vaseline and then I would take a bath. I took about 5 baths a day and drank about 7 bottles of water. I should be better before Christmas.

When I took SMZ-TMP DS; The day after i could not move my legs without being in agony pain. I didn't think anything about it. The next day i had painful, red knots on my ankles and as the day went on they started to grow in size and more started to appear. I immediately stopped taking the drug and called my doctor. I could not sleep cause I was in so much pain. I would lay still on my back but when it was time to get up in the morning i had to literally lift my legs with my hands and get someone to carry me to the doctors office. He said that I had a very interesting case and that to never take this medication again. Right now I am still in a lot of pain and taking anit inflammatory medication to help with the knots and pain. I am still in bed not getting up and now I have 40 knots on my legs. He called the knots Erythema Nodosum. My tissue got infected with this medication.

I have been on this medication for 4 days now with NO problems what-so-ever. I dont know what the big fuss is about.

I was prescribed this as an inexpensive option to treat a long-term sinus infection in March 2008. I had no prior history of allergic reactions or prior health problems. After 3 days (6 doses) my whole body was in throbbing pain, I felt like my skin was on fire, and I was seeing spots, and had difficulty breathing. I initially had NO RASH or visible/external signs while taking the medication. I immediately stopped taking the medication and saw my doctor, but symptoms persisted for a week. My doctor prescribed prednisone, and had to up the dosage two weeks later when a rash formed over my torso and legs and persisted for 2 months.

The dermatologist gave me Bactrim to treat acne, I took the first pill in the afternoon and at night time I was vomiting and had fever.The next couple of days the symptoms went away but then they came back with itching, rash and lost my taste buds.I stop the medication and I am hoping that this symptoms go away. I guess I am allergic to this medication.

For those of you wandering how long the side effects last...well...I took my last pill on Tuesday night before bed and of course had the rapid heart rate, vomiting, lack of concentration, frequent urination...etc....Today is Sunday and it is the very first entire day that I have felt my normal self....so there is hope....almost a week, but worth the wait!!

Im 14 and I have just gotten my pills. Its for acne. Im very scared to take this because I am allergic to sulfa and everyone else has talked about the extreme side effects. What should I do?

I begin taking SMZ-TMP DS on August 5, 2009. I read the insert about side effects and drug interactions. Being this I am diabetic I did not want this drug to interfere with my medication for diabetes or high blood pressure. I took the medication for four days. On the 4th day I started feeling nausea, fatigue, and overall feeling bad. I have stopped taking the medication and called my doctor.

I have been on this for 6 days for a UTI. I personally am not allergic to sulfa drugs and have had absolutely no problem while on it so I can't speak to specific side effects but I do have something to say about it. I'm a little confused as to why so many of you believe that this drug should be taken off the market. Surprise, a lot of people are allergic to sulfa drugs which accounts for the vast majority of adverse events described by nearly everyone on this post. And guess what, every single drug comes with side effects (Tylenol, Advil, Tums, etc. are no exception) and you accept the risk of those side effects when you put it in your body and weigh that risk against the possible benefits. It's not your doctor's or the drug company's fault you're allergic! Antibiotics, including this one, have saved millions upon millions of lives. It seems intuitive but it evidently must be said: if you're allergic to it STOP TAKING IT and call your doctor so he can prescribe a different antibiotic. Seriously people, it's not rocket science. Hives are a pretty straight- forward symptom of an allergy and one that can be diagnosed by the lay person. I am a medical professional, but even if I wasn't, you don't need an MD behind your name to figure that one out. Why would you continue to take it after having an obvious reaction? (a reaction that, by the way, is a well documented, clearly stated possible side effect of this particular medication if you'd taken the time to ask any questions whatsoever regarding your own health, not a surprise adverse event of a bad drug) It's not rocket science, it's common sense people. When I'm prescribed something I'm not familiar with, my first question is, "What do I need to know about this." Even after a satisfactory explanation, I look it up before taking it. In fact, that's how I found this post. Which brings me to my last point, why is it that people blindly put things into their bodies that they know nothing about. If the pharmacist doesn't explain drug information to you in person, that's what the little drug safety pamphlet attached to your Rx is for. Read it, that's why it's there. OR, there's always the option of using this wonderful resource called the internet. Use your brains for god sake and take a more active, responsible, and informed role in your own healthcare process. You are ultimately responsible for your own health, and to be completely honest, you're one of the only people who actually cares about it (guess what, your doctor probably isn't one of them because he has a hundred other pain in the ass patients with no common sense to keep track of). Think people...

I am diabetic and have chronic ear infections. Just wanted to say that I have never had ANY side effects from taking this drug.. I have had allergic reactions to other drugs, but that is not the drug companies fault. It is unfortunate, but unpredictable, who will have a reaction and who won't. Neither the drug companies or your doctor knows your exact genetic make up and how you will respond to everything that is prescribed to you. ANY time you are on prescribed medication and have unusual effects call your doctor immediately instead of continuing to take it and assume it is a part of your illness. I hope that those folks out there currently experiencing the mentioned symptoms heal quickly

Headache or Migraine sufferers BEWARE! I was prescribed this medication for an upper respiratory and double ear infection. After a week of taking the medication I have been laid up with migraines and headaches that come and go for days. Every morning I am severely nauseous and have vomited four times. I really want to cure what I have but what is worse: the infection or the medication? I plan to stop taking it.

June 9th 2009

after taking smz/tmp ds 800-160 for seven days I have not sleep at night ocean sound or electrical like noise in ears. Diarrhea,nausea,loss of appetite,sweaty,hot,dizziness and throat feel like closing. This has been the worse medication I have ever taken and the side effect are as written . So take off the market! (light headed)

After taken 6 pills ,1every 12 hrs.approx: 3 days My eyes lids swoll up Bags under them,Rashes developed all over.Blisterd Red skin aunt like pusy/watery bumbs.This has gone on for approx:8 days after stopping medication.I have stayed indoors,drank only water to flush out system and it is still persistent.What can I do ? The doctor gave me a deff.Prescription but I want take any thing until this is cured.Any suggestion?

My doctor prescribed this drug to me on 5/07/09. I started I the first pill around 1:00 pm (one pill twice a day). While at work around 3:00pm I noticed my face was a little red, didn't think much of it. By the time I went home around 5:00 pm my face was really red and was hot to the touch. I thought since it was the first really warm day outside and after traffic I was just a little warm. I was complaining about my right leg hurting and told my husband "it sucks getting older, every thing hurts) - I am 40. Around 7-8 pm my back started to itch (nape area) and my husband said there were some bumps like acne, I didn't think so because they were like burning/itching. I was getting really tired and took my second pill around 11:00pm (mistake), all of a sudden I felt like I was getting the flu, I ran to bathroom (barely made it) and I was burning up, headache, and aches/pains. I called my doctor in the morning and was told not to take any more and I was allergic to this medication. Needless to say, it is 1:00am on 5/09/09 and my headache finally went away and the pain in my right leg is down to a dull pain now. I don't understand why this medication is still out there, it should be taken off of the market soon.

BEWARE DIABETICS. My mother was prescribed SMZ-TMP and after 3 days her blood sugar dropped sharply to the point she was near coma. She has diabetes and anyone with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar every 3-4 hours while on this drug. Her blood sugar has been very consistent for years, in the 95-110 range. After three days of SMZ it fell to 22 which normally results in coma. Fortunately she reacted well to treatment and is normal now but extremely weak.

This drug is lethal! I had a leg gash from falling over a fan in the gym which resulted in a MRSA infection. I ended up in the hospital with a violent reaction to SMZ-TMP DS which affected my central nervous system. I was out of control with severe pain in my whole body, nausea, headache, etc. Even after discharge, this drug was ordered to be continued!! Ended up in emergency again! What are these drug companies producing? And why are MD's not up on the side effects? I thought I was dying.

I was taking this medication for 10 days and had a rash all over my body and had to stop taking immediately. The one other side effect is dizziness but besides that nothing else. The rash didn't even itch nor was it raised. I'm now on Macrobid so we'll see how that goes.

I have been on SMZ-TMP for a UTI for about 9 days and I ended up in the emergency room last night for severe rash, and fever of 102. I have had the most horrible back pain, leg pain, cramping, joint pain, muscle weakness and migraine since I started taking it. I thought most of that was due to the UTI/kidney infection and didn't realize that I am allergic to it. I stopped taking it 24 hours ago, and while I still have a slight rash, headache, slight fever and body aches I feel a helluva lot better than I have in over a month. People need to be aware that the sulfur in this drug can cause serious problems.

6 DAYS AFTER STARTING SMZ-TMP DS 800-160 TD
From the onset of taking this medicine, I have had trouble sleeping, extremely hot-especially at night. My butt has been giving me some trouble since about day 4. Hives on day 7, starting taking the usual Benadryl and using the Benadryl Cream. By the end of day 8 (I did not take any pills--threw them all out!) I couldn't stand myself--It felt like bugs were crawling all over the inside of my body. The itching was driving me nuts. Kept taking large doses of Benadryl just to be able to work but it wasn't working real well. Went to the doctor and was told I am allergic to SULFUR and I should never take them again. Now I am on prednisone 10mg, Claritin, Benadryl, Benadryl Cream, my inhaler and I'm suppose to take baths in oatmeal stuff. UGH! My stomach has been a bit off all week and the depression is worsening.

i started taking SMZ-TMP 400mg/80mg 2 times daily. It helped my Bronchitis but i have also had trouble sleeping and the sweaty hot flashes,and also an annoying headache everyday for the last
9 days. Then today, the last day i'm supposed to take my last 2 pills, i got a rash! They are little red bumps and don't really itch much. I took Benadryl and maybe that helped it not to itch. The rash is on the top of my thighs, on my arms. stomach and back. Pretty much everywhere!

Can some one tell how to help my 81 year old mom to stop the Violent throw up.. please help I give her gatoraid. some water broth.. she cant keep none of it down..so what can be done to ease this for her thank you any one...1/17/08

Great! After reading these posts I can expect this awful monster like rash to last a couple of weeks???? I was prescribed Bactrim DS 800-160 mg twice a day and I thought it sounded like a large dose. Developed flu like symptoms on day 3 with racing heart, achy body, stomach and muscle cramps. Woke up today (day 6) with itchy hives ALL over my body. Got a cortisone shot at urgent care clinic and taking benadryl. No change in my condition yet. Why don't they take this sh_t off the market? I could have died from it. I have used Bactrim many times for UTI over the years but was never prescribed this super dose which did this to me!!

On Dec 21 2008 my 17 years old was prescribed SMZ/TMP DS 800-160 Tab for possible staph infection. She is/was to take 2 tablets every 12 hours for 10 days. By day 5 of this dosage, she had severe flu symptoms. Took her back to the same Doctors office but saw a different Doctor and was informed that she was only supposed to take 1 tablet every 12 hours for 10 days. She has been taking the the correct dosage for 3 days and the flu symptons are not as severe, as of today her skin is a little red (like too much sun) but not bumps or hives. We will continue to watch closely. Hopefully she will make it to day 10 without anymore problems. She does not want to go back to the same Doctor's office again.

my 95 yr. old mother was given 2 SMZ/TMP pills 12 hrs apart and within hours after the 2nd one, spiked a fever and became flush around her eyes and then her entire face. She ended up in the emergency room. Several days later she broke out with hives, red blotches, arm bruises, a skin infection, and blood vessel breaks on her arms and legs. She also itched terrible all over. Doctors thought it was her blood platelets causing this but they were wrong. She is allergic to sulfur drugs. Finally after 5 weeks now she seems to be improving. This is a very dangerous drug for some.

i have been taking this medication and ive been itching .
nearly scratching my arms off
and making me throw up .
and get sicker than i was

I broke out in a slightly raised rash that started on my chest and spread to my arms, stomach and legs. I thought I had fifths disease except that there was no fever or runny nose before the rash appeared. According to the pharmacy - you can have a severe reaction to it if you are allergic to sulfa drugs (which I am). Next time I won't be so quick to believe everything my doctor says before trying something new..

I was prescribed this drug for a fungal infection. I will never take it again, I cant think straight, I'm weak, have nausea, jittery, I feel like a bowl of jello on the inside and I'm soooo tired after I take a pill. Its throwing off my balance, cant ride the horses. Hey did you know that this is a drug I give my horses? Its no wonder they hate taking it, I do too. I think I will have the vet give them something else and the doctor can definitely find me something else, this is a horrible drug.

I was prescribed SMZ/TMP DS 800-160 for a UTI...one pill twice a day. I had been taking it for 2 days. On the 3rd day, I broke out in hives in areas on my chest, sides, back and stomach and the next day started noticing small bumps on my arms and legs, too, that weren't as small and irritating as the hives the day before. Needless to say, I stopped taking it that day, the 4th day. However, it's the 3rd day since I've stopped taking it and I am still itching and skin is still broken out. This medicine had also caused a loss of appetite and altered my taste buds, but the break out is the worst of all and is ongoing, unlike the other side effects which were back to normal shortly after I stopped taking the pills. If anyone else has experienced the skin irritations, how long did it take for it to stop after taking the pills?

I was prescribed /TWP DS 800-160 for a urinary infection. I have taken this medication before with no ill effects, but this time my hands itch all the time and I have a red, itchy rash on my back and stomach. I finished the prescription today, ao hope it goes away and so far the UTI I had is better. At least I don't have as much pain, but it required two prescriptions before is worked. I have taken this before with no noticeable effects. Is this serious?

I was prescribe SMZ-TMP 800-160 DS 3 days ago on July 2nd for an infected hair follicle in my right armpit. I took the first does that evening and not long after felt really nauseated, almost like I had the flu. I consulted the page they always give you with prescriptions and it said that nausea was a side effect and that should go away after a couple of days. Well the next morning when I woke up I had no appetite and still felt a little nauseated but not as bad as the night before. I did take the 2nd dose and by mid morning the nausea was getting worse and by early afternoon I was developing a fever. Took a couple of Tylenol and toughed it out through the rest of the day at the office. When I got home I took my temp and found it to 101.3, took some Tylenol and called my pharmacists and he indicated that temp and nausea were really nothing to worry about. Felling a little reassured but still like I had the flu I took the 3rd does and about an hour after I took I started to feel the worse yet. I checked my temp again and found it had climbed to above 102 and for some strange reason my tongue would go numb for short intervals, almost like it had been shot full of novocain. I got absolutely no sleep that night, and given that the info sheet said to notify your doctor right away of you develop a persistent fever that next morning, July 4th, I called the office number and got the answering service and they had the doctor paged and when he finally called me back he was quite concerned over my reaction to this medicine and said I had to be seen by someone today because of the persistent fever. Being that it was the 4th of July the only option was the ER so off I went. They ran a few tests and found that yes I was having an adverse reaction to this evil medicine but I should be fine in a couple days. It is now July 5th, more then 36 hours since I took the last does, and the nausea is finally gone and my appetite is slowly coming back, but I still have a fever but it is slowly coming down as well or maybe the Tylenol is finally working, either way I hope by the end of the weekend to be feeling better.

I started SMZ/TMP DS 800-160 tab 2 days ago. I have bad feelings about this drug and today is 4th July and the weekend. I will quit it to get some other drug for my UTI. But it won't be for 3 days because the doctor is out till Monday to get another drug. Someone tell me a drug that does work for UTI. Someone mentioned Amoxicilln? Can that be used? The headaches are awful. I can't seem to empty my bladder at night so I never really sleep since I pee every 20 mins a few drizzles. I also was given that drug that makes the pee orange. It is Phenazopyrid 200mg. It relieves pain, burning or irritation of the lower urinary tract. Someone offer us info on a positive good drug they have used to help UTI. Thanks!

I have been taking SMZ/TMP since Monday evening for a UTI. I was also given some kind of red pill... I can't remember what is was called, made me sick to my stomach. I threw it away.

The SMZ/TMP is giving me the shakes, headache/neck pain, and body weakness. I have stairs in my house and walking downstairs has become increasingly difficult, even typing this is difficult as my shoulders, arms and hands are jittery, I am correcting a lot of typos.
I rarely take medications for anything... Except this time, I couldn't get away without it, the UTI was too painful. I only have a day and a half of dose left. I believe I will finish it, but it will definitely go on my list of medications that I can't take. I just hope it gets rid of this infection. This is the first UTI I have had since 1990. For the first one I just took some kind of amoxicillin. I don't remember feeling anything unusual when I took that particular medication.
Thanks

After being diagnosed with a UTI, I was put on sulfamethoxazole. The first day on the medication seemed to be fine but at about the 2nd-3rd day, I was not feeling like myself. I was watching some TV and I all of a sudden couldn't see anything. I got very hot, my heart beat was super-fast and then I completely blacked out. I also had continuous "spotting" while taking this pill, which never happens to me. I continued to feel out of sorts throughout the remainder of the prescription and I have the same symptoms from the UTI that I started with. This "drug" did nothing for me beside throwing my equilibrium off balance. I wouldn't recommend it to an enemy, let alone someone who needed medical help.

I started taking this drug after i was diagnosed with a UTI and noticed the past 2 days i have been on it i have had muscle pain,cramping in my legs,arms and lower back pain. I couldn't fall asleep last night i kept jumping up out of bed and today i do not feel like myself. I feel so depressed. I have 2 pills left but i WILL NOT be taking them.

I took one pill on the day the Doctor prescribed them for a urinary tract infection, and had severe leg cramping to the point where I could not walk, lay, or move without major pain. I couldn't have anything touch my legs without being in agony. It lasted hours. Likewise, several days after, I have tingling in both hands when sleeping at night.

I stopped taking it immediately. Last year, I also had a urinary tract infection, and forgot the name of the antibiotic I was prescribed, but believe it is the same as this time which is SMZ-TMP DS, and had the same leg cramping and tingling in my hands, but at first did not know it was a side effect of the medication. So, I suffered through severe leg cramps, and tingling hands for days until I finally called the Doctor, and he said it was strange but was an allergic reaction.

I've had frequent urinary tract infections throughout my life, and never had an issue with antibiotics prescribed up until this one came along. I think it's dangerous and needs to be re-evaluated.

Prescribed SMZ/TMP for Bronchitis and within two doses have noticed night sweats, headache, upset stomach, insomnia (this is real abnormal I can sleep anywhere/anytime) and the worst symptom is the spots on my hands that itch like crazy. I called the doctor and she informed me to stop immediately and asked if my lips were swollen or I had a hard time breathing. She told me to go to the emergency room immediately if I got swelling of the lips and labored breathing. Why? Well, after my own research I found SJS - Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a bad if not deadly side effect. With life lasting trauma to the body.

I have been sick with Bronchitis for two weeks and after taking this medication DID NOT GET ANY BETTER. But, soon as I got off the pills, my breathing is better and I feel better already. Just need to know when the itchy hands will go away?

I've started taking this medication for a week now for a bad case of sinus infection. Its so bad the doctors say it is backed up in my head and isn't draining.My eyes get really red, migraines and headaches causes really bad pressure in head and I also have fluid in my ears. I guess this is why it was prescribed to me. I woke up one morning and my face was all swollen on the left side of my face and my lymph nodes in the back of my neck are all swollen for about 3 days now(looks like lumps in the neck). Anyway, I decided to leave the house for one day since I started taking this SMZ-TMP DS, I ended up catching hives throughout my body and got tingling every day after that. I read the bottle and it says Do Not be EXPOSED to excessive exposure to direct and/or artificial sunlight and it was quite sunny that day. I don't know if my meds are working but I think I will be seeing another Dr. to change to another medication.

I have been taking this drug for a week and two days. I am able to fall asleep easily but I have been waking up every night since I started this medication with terrible anxiety and my heart beating fast. I have also had some stomach cramping and frequent urination. I developed an upset stomach three days ago and haven't had a bowel movement since. I have also had really bad headaches.

I started taking Sulfamethoxazole / TMP DS and I been going to pee a lot, I'm taking it because of my Pilonidal Abscess. should I stop taking it and call my doctor?

My husband and I started taking SMZ-TMP 3 days ago. We stopped taking drug. We both threw up and had diarrhea for about 2 days. We have whole body weakness and sore muscles. I am glad we recognized these symptoms as side effects rather than the sickness we had originally. I will add this drug to the list of drugs that both of us cannot take.

i was prescribed this drug for kidney and bladder infection. i avoided sunlight ( warning on drug label). my skin began to look thin and dehydrated, tingling sensations. my face became swollen and cheeks exceptionally red, like severe sunburn. it's been over two weeks since i stopped taking this medication and my skin still isn't anywhere back to normal. my face actually became flaky.

i have taken Bactrim in the past with none of the above side effects. how does this drug differ from Bactrim.

-By vivian - ohio

wow, i just started taking this medication yesterday, smz/tmp ds 800/160.....and after reading all of this, its kinda scaring me...i too noticed that i couldnt fall asleep last night and that my skin was REALLY warm to the touch.

I took SMZ and Rifampin together for an abcess and have been off of it for a few days and feel weak, off balance, headaches. It's NOT good!

Personally, after suffering a week with strep throat, fever, chills, throat and ear pain, nausea, and weakness, I would rather deal with the side effects for the five days I have to take this medicine anytime. At least then it will all be over.

I took SMZ-TMP DS for a UTI. Within a few days I was experiencing stomach upset, abdominal pain, joint pain (knees and hip), sore throat, red eyes, and insomnia and one good side effect - loss of appetite. I decided to stop the drug.

vaginal itching. should I stop taking it. It is for a sinus infection

I took Smz-tmp for kidney infection. Took at regular & prescribed times. My infection is worse. Gave me nausea & now lower back pain.

About a month ago I was prescribed SMZ/TMP Double-STR Tab MPC for an infection after 3 other antibiotics failed. After a few days I noticed that every night I was having a sweaty fever and chills. I eventually stopped taking the medication for fear that it was a reaction caused by the sun. This past week I noticed signs of my infection returning. Since I had nearly a full prescription left over, I decided to self medicate for that evening with intentions of calling the doctor the next day. About an hour after taking the tablet I felt this burning/tingling almost like an itchy feeling all over my body. Then came severe abdominal cramping with diarrhea, vomiting, and even vaginal bleeding. I was unable to sleep and noticed my face and lips had swollen to a grotesque state by the early morning hours. It was the most horrifying and painful night of my life.

i was wondering if if was just me, i have been taking if for 2 days and get night sweats, can't sleep, feel so nauscious that i can't get out of my sweaty bed. its disgusting