SMZ-TMP DS and drugs

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 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

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.

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.

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.