Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim and trimethoprim

I was prescribed sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim for 10 days, for a cyst that wouldn't go away. I took the first dose in the morning with breakfast. By the afternoon, I noticed my eyes were bloodshot. On my way home from work, I noticed that my actual eyeballs "hurt" and I could feel a headache coming on. Because it only hurt in my eye region and I thought I felt sinus pressure, I believed it was also due to nose blowing. I called the Dr. and he said,"No, those wouldn't be side effects from the meds." At that point, I too felt like a hypochondriac. I took an additional pill as prescribed that evening, and this morning I STILL feel horrible. (and I drake tons of water throughout the process) After reading the other testimonies, I KNOW it is this medication. I WILL NOT be taking another pill. Ya know, we trust doctor's to help us and make us well...I know everyone's body's are different, but this is unreal. I've gone to the same doctor for probably 10 yrs, and unfortunately, this is something that will make me change physicians. I for one, do not have time to be someones lab rat...and that's what this feels like. I hope my testimony helps someone else. Everyone listed here helped me. Thank you so much.

Was prescribed Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim 3 days ago for a bacterial skin infection. At the same time, I also had an apparent allergic reaction going on (unknown source, had never had one before) where my arms were both covered with hives/welts. So my skin was peeling and hive covered BEFORE even starting the meds, which is making the evaluating of the drug side effects a bit trickier. So far, the skin seems to be improving but the hives/rash has not improved, despite taking prescribed allergy meds during the same time. So this could be the current source of the rash, but I can't tell.
On the plus side, have not had any stomach upset (I took all doses w/ food) or other GI symptoms other than increased frequency in BMs. I only seemed to get a headache after not drinking water for a couple of hours. If online sources are to be believed, the "sulfa" portion of this is the culprit behind the worst side effects, AND food may interfere with absorption/effectiveness. Based on that, I'm planning on taking my remaining doses w/ food since the skin infection is already clearing up after 2 days and I've got 10 days to go. Hoping to avoid the reactions folks described here where they starting rashes late in the treatment cycle.

My husband was prescribed sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. After taking the medicine for 9 days, he broke out with red bumps (rash) on both of arms, and he complained about being itchy. Now he has them on his legs as well. I did some research and found out this website. After reading some of the side effects I am pretty sure that his rash is due to taking the medicine. He will follow up with the doctor just to make sure. I'm glas I found this website. Thanks!!!

I had been on Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim for ten days when i had my allergic reaction- i went out for a run Saturday evening and about thirty minutes after my return i started breaking out into unbelievable hives and excruciating itching at this point it was only on my arms and i put some anti-itch gel on it to get better went to bed and woke up around 2 am with my lip completely swollen out i then took benadryl which controlled the itchiness- going into Sunday the hives got so bad i could hardly move my hands and then the hives spread to my feet which made it literally unbearable to walk- i have never experienced anything like this! I felt like a cripple i was hardly able to move- luckily i had a packet of steroids previously prescribed to me started taking them and immediately started to feel better i woke up Monday morning around five am and the hives had almost vanished- then when i got up to go to work on the drive in the hives were back and stronger than ever it was horrible i was driving in traffic watching my arms and hands swell in size and itching unbelievably out of control- managed to get some benadryl in my system and another steroid- made it to work- throat started closing in on me started wheesing couldn't catch my breath- ended up in the emergency room- this has been the craziest thing that has ever happened to me! The ER doctor told me that 40-60% of the population is allergic to this antibiotic- YET ITS STILL ON THE MARKET!!!!! I seriously thought at time i might die- this was the most excruciating experience i've had- and if i lapse the time i need to take my steroid the hives come back soo fast-The doctor said it can take a week for my body to metabolize the antibiotic out of my system- the lesson i learned here always do your own research on any medicine the doctor gives you to take- just bc they prescribe it doesn't always mean its the best i mean up to 60% of the population is allergic to this- had i known this i would have asked for a different antibiotic! In my case i think that it took my body so long to have its allergic reaction due to the fact when i went on the antibiotic to fight an ear infection i was also prescribed a steroid and i believe the steroid was fighting off my reaction and keeping it at bay until i ran out of that....Also anyone having this reaction DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN/ADVIL THIS MAKES THE REACTION WORSE- IT IS REALLY BEST TO JUST TAKE ALEVE!!

I was diagnosed with strep throat about 1 week ago and at first the doctors tried to kill me! They had prescribed amoxicillin--I am allergic to anything with "cillin" in it, and before heading home, I caught the mistake. The doctor apologized profusely, and then prescribed me erythromycin. Upon taking this drug, my face became swollen, and my eyes were itchy and red and my throat stung and my ears burned like fire! I returned to the doctor's office, and he was like, "oh, well, you're allergic to this, too! I'll give you some Bactrim. It helps for UTI's". I don't have an UTI, but I was desperate for anything to stop the burning pain. After taking Bactrim(sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim) for two days, my throat felt much better and the ear pain was gone, but I had a horrible rash on my chest, arms, back, and face. My eyes became itchy and puffy, and after day six of the treatment, I stopped taking my medicine. I couldn't take the rash or the itchy eyes anymore. Something strange happened: I felt just great! My skin had cleared, and no more itchy, puffy eyes! Now, two days later, I wake up to another sore throat AND itchy, puffy eyes. I do not have insurance, and any treatment I receive comes straight from out my own pocket. Could this stuff be silently killing me? Please someone help me with this strange dilemma

I am taking sulfameth/trimethoprim and after one week started breaking out in a strange measle-like rash too. this is my first night with the rash, and its not itchy yet but something is definitely wrong. hope this helps the next person.