Sulfamethoxazole and headache

I took this medication for 7 days two tablets each day for UTI. After the first day I became extremely tired, I couldn't do anything, and I had a very bad headache. Then my muscles started to ache, and then the glands around my neck started to hurt. Then I had panics on some nights and night sweats. Now after a week and a half I still have the neck pain, and some pain in my muscles in my legs and hands.
Does any one know how long this is going to last?

My experience is HORRIBLE!

Never again!

I too was prescribed this for a UTI and by day 2 thought i was going to die. I went back to the doctor, still having the fever and body aches and the UTI wasn't going away so they gave me more!

Flu-like symptoms persisted. I had one anxiety attack and have missed out on a lot of work for this!
The rash i developed is driving me crazy! ( i thought i had stayed in the tanning bed to long and was burnt!) but after reading all these posts I know that I'm not crazy. Never again ! (worst abdominal pain ever!) headache, nausea,...all of these symptoms for 10 days now!

Screw sulfa drugs!

I was prescribed a sulfameth drug for a severe UTI which entailed terrible abdominal pain & blood in urine. I took it for 2 days and started feeling better. The third day, I was hit with a severe allergic reaction, which after reading some of the side effects, I realize now that i should have gone to the er or called 911. It started with a terrible headache, then vomiting. That night my fever shot up to 104 degrees!!! But, I was freezing. I was shaking uncontrollably, confused, joints aching, you name it. I thought I may have had a migrane and ended up falling asleep and never took any of the medicine on day three. On day four, I woke up feeling MUCH better, and noticed red blotches all over my hands. The second I saw this, I knew it was an allergic reaction. I went and showed the pharmacist and told him about what had happened, and he said, yes, it seemed that way to him too. He said to call my doctor and let them know I had a reaction. When I did that, all they said was they would put it in my chart. I was not even offered an alternative to it considering I still probly had a UTI. I think they did this because now that I have researched it quite a bit, I have learned that people who are allergic to penicillin are more likely to experience a reaction to sulfa drugs. And, yes...I am, and have always been extremely allergic to penicillin. I believe this was overlooked when I was prescribed with the sulfameth.

I was taking this drug after having surgery on my foot. After taking this pill twice a day for 5 days, I woke with a high fever, chills, headache, nausea and could not sleep. I continued to take the drug thinking that I just had the flu, my symptoms continued for the next 2 days. My fever broke the morning of my 7th and final day of taking this drug. That evening my fever came back and I broke out in a rash (front/back/arms) and my skin looks like I have a first degree sun burn especially my face and chest and it itches. I had not been out in the sun the entire time of taking this drug.
This will be the last time I I take this drug.

I had to stop 8 days into my 10 day prescription. Very hot, headache - woke up with hives and then discovered my entire body was red with a rash like sunburn. Turned itchy on my chest and arms. Face swelled a bit and looked sunburned also. Was happy to stop the medication early. Starting live yogurt to clear my system, eating garlic and drinking water.

my eyes burn, blurry vision, hurts, headache, nausea, vomiting, heavy breathing, depression

I started taking two 160mg tablets of sulfameth a day about a week ago in conjunction with prednisone and hydroxyzine for a bad case of contact dermititis. Yesterday I woke up with a crazy fever, pressure in my sinuses and headache. I got off work and went to sleep at 5:30pm. Around 9pm I woke up covered in hives. The fever had broke, but this was a new beast. The hives started out all over, but there were not many. Over the next 24 hrs they spread so that now I am mostly a giant red splotch. It itches like hell and for some damn reason I feel wired. I can't get to sleep. I keep pacing around.

I went to the ER and they said it was probably the sulfameth. They told me to discontinue use and put me on a higher dose of prednisone, zantac and diphenhydramine.

I am almost sure it was the sulfameth. I have been on prednisone before without anything like this happening. I have never taken the sulfameth before this and I rarely took the hydroxyzine they gave me so I doubt it caused it.

The reaction to the sulfameth is seriously 100 times worse then what they gave it to me for. I would rather have just not gone to the doctor and suffered through what I had before than deal with this. It's a sleepless, itching hell. I will never take a sulfa drug again.

I can only wonder how bad it would have been had I not already been on prednisone when the allergic reaction hit. So 24 hrs into it and the hives are getting worse. Hopefully the prednisone and benadryl will end it soon.

I was prescribed this med in DS form for a lingering sinus infection that I had for over a month and a half. The first day was ok except when I went to bed I started feeling a headache coming on. I figured it was just because my sinuses were infected and dry. The 2nd day after only the first pill of the day, DS (RX 2x daily) I went about my morning workout and pretty much felt ok; just a little tired. However, when I got home, I started feeling chills and then hot, then thats when the horrendous MIGRAINE hit me. From there my eyes were swollen, blood shot, I was white as a ghost in the face, my head and ears started closing up, I was painfully fatigued all over like I had the flu. Now into day 2 evening, my throat is starting to swell and hurt. Even after taking something that usually works for my occasional stubborn headache, it for the first time ever, did NOT work. I still have the migraine now. I did call Kaiser today. They said they knew these could be possible side effects. I just don't know how, with so many issues/complaints about this drug from such a broad spectrum of people and all OVER THE WORLD that they would not halt the release of anymore of this drug to anyone! In fact I was reading a report, I believe from the UK where they have banned this drug. There are so many other options that yes come with side effects but NO THING close to what Ive seen here. I know ,but isn't it sad that the drug companies will never let that happen here. I have taken different types of antibiotics and this is the WORST! I expect I will be making a trip to the ER at the rate this keeps going.

I started taking sulfameth on Monday (so 4 days ago). I noticed right after I started taking it that the nausea I felt from the UTI was not going away, my mouth started to get dry, I've had a minor headache constantly since starting it and when I got up in the morning (a couple of hours after taking the pill) I was very shaky and it wouldn't stop until I had eaten something. Then, last night, my blood sugar dropped. I got incredibly nauseated, dizzy, I felt like I was going to faint, I started shaking, I felt panicked and it did not subside until a candy was shoved into my mouth. It also felt like my tongue was a little swollen. Based on what I've seen, this med should be recalled.

ok, so i took this med for a sinus infection. i had to go to home school last year from an illness and am getting back to reg school (my senior yr, woot!).so anyway, after a couple of days of taking it (into the third week of school) i started feeling like i had to go back to home school becuz i was gonna be sick a lot and miss a lot and blah blah blah plus i would let down my fellow band members (yes, i AM a band geek and AM proud to be one) ugh...it might be the pill, but am not sure yet. my mom just pulled me off it this morning after i literally yelled at her to have me arrested or put me back in home school. i don't know...shoot. i have a headache right now...well, gotta go.

No appetite at all -- when I ate anything I felt very nauseas -- very tried -- felt like I would pass out -- On the 2nd day -- my hands started hurting. I take arthritis medicine -- However my hands had not really bother me in over 10 months. I took Sulfameth for 4 days and have been off of it for 3 -- my hands are still bothering me-- it hurts to use them. I noticed on the last day -- it was making my heart beat faster. I could feel it racing. It gave me a headache

I began taking this drug for a uti yesterday. After taking my fourth dose, I began experiencing a severe headache, nausea, cramping, uncontrollable shaking, complete loss of appetite, and the inevitable panic attack. My panic attack ended about 6 hours later. I was crying uncontrollably for atleast 2 of those hours. It was incredibly bizarre and like nothing I have ever experienced before. It is now 10pm, 8 hours since the last time I took the medicine and my mind is still racing and unsettled, but at least I don't feel as if I am not part of my body anymore. I would not recommend this medicine to anyone.

Ive been prescribed Trimethoprim for Cystitis, and it worked after an hour or 2, stopping the dysuria and haematuria, although it gave me a headache at the back of my head and made me sleepy for the whole day.

Symptoms included:

blood-shot eyes
fever
itching
headache
soreness

contact your health care provider if you have any of these side effects.

I have been taking Sulfameth/Trimeth for a bladder infection, one pill 2x a day. I started taking it on Thursday and felt pretty good for Thursday and Friday. Saturday I started having major headaches, feeling itchy all over, feeling a little bummed out, and felt a bit short of breath. I woke up today (Sunday) and had HORRIBLE pains in my left arm and my heart felt like it was beating much faster than normal. I took my pill and had something to eat, and took some Tylenol for the headache and I started to feel a bit better.

Once the Tylenol started to wear off, the pain in my arm was back, along with my left leg. It sort of felt like I had exercised way too much and that it was just stiff and sore. I've lost my appetite and am extremely tired but feel unable to sleep. Also today I feel depressed and angry and the littlest thing will set me off. I have 2 days left of this pill, I can't wait to be off it, and I will never take it again. I am contacting my doctor tomorrow morning to see if I should continue taking this as long as it was prescribed, or if I should just stop right now.

Why do doctors prescribe this when there are things that work much better with less side effects!?

I started taking Sulfameth for a urinary tract infection and got the worst gastro-intestinal bloating and gas ever! Then, my neck started to get stiff and I got a headache. This after only three pills. This stuff is bad news!

I was prescribed sulfameth/trimothoprim for a UTI. I've been on it for two days and it gives me this crazy headache that i can't seem to shake off...

My daughter started this med sulfameth for a bladder infection. The first 3 days she suffered a severe headache. Next followed by knee pain, body pain. Third day severe rash, fever. Completely out of it. She started it on a Friday, by Tuesday morning we were at the ER. I called her Dr. office Monday and told her what she was going through and she stated that this medicine would not cause her to have these systoms. I am furious, my daughter was out of school a week, and is still feeling weak. I have never been more scared for her. This should be banned completely. I would love to sue. I am also furious with the Dr.'s office for not realizing these side effects, and other people could get this as well.
dawn

I was prescribed sulfameth for an infection from a possible bug bite. After three days of taking this drug, I've had a severe headache, nausea, diarrhea, chills, fever, excessive perspiration, tightness and pain in my chest, dizziness, tingling around my lips, low back pain, weird nightmares and fitful sleep. Also, my blood sugar level is significantly elevated and I have constant stiffness and soreness in my neck. I'm just now coming to this website after experiencing these side effects for a total of five of the eight days I've been on the sulfameth.

I am soooo glad i looked up this website because all the side effects i was experiencing i thought were just me. i mean i was prescribed sulfameth for a UTI and my doctor told me it might just give me a slight rash-but it turns out that i got an EXTREME headache like someone was bashing me in the head with a sledgehammer, i was very nauseated and vomited up blood.(Mydoctor told me it was because i took ibuprofen-i took it to stop the ridiculous headache i had for TWO DAYS!-she said it caused stomach bleeding) also, i experienced restlessness, i was uncontrollably anxious, appetite loss, dizziness, and uncontrollable sweating. i would wake up and feel like i just got out of the shower! i don't think im going to take this medicine anymore because im suppossed to be on it for 3 more days but i DONT THINK SO!!! i thank all of you for showing me this useful information.

Extreme headache, back pain, extreme pressure and pain in sinus, fatigue but unable to sleep, dizzy spells. Took medication for three and a half days for an infection but will discontinue today

I was prescribed sulfameth for MRSA which is a staph infection. Within three days of taking this medication I began to have a severe headache, pains in my lower back that ran down both my legs, nausea, loss of appetite, and severe fever. I went to the ER lastnight, because no matter how much I tried, I just couldnt move or get comfortable. Glad to know that Im not the only one who has gone through this.

yes i am having the same flu symptoms and today i broke out in a body rash. had a headache yesterday and body chills. skin sensitivity, head ache, dizzyness, loss of appitite, sleeplessness, fatigue, nausea. i believe it is an allergic reaction. glad i found this place so now i know i'm not sick like i thought i was. i have three days left on the medicine and i'm not going to continue to take it

I have been takingSulfameth/trimethoprim 800/180 tabs and the pharmacist pamplet said to call my doctor with any occurance of sore throat. I have taken a total of 4 tablets 2/day and woke up with a terrible sore throat and a headache later in the day only to call my Dr. and have them tell me that this is NOT a side effect and they want me to come in for a throat culture. Honestly I'm a little Freaked out because of the risk of Stevens-Johnson's Syndrome that makes your skin peel off and can make you go blind.

I was given Sulfameth along w/ Flagyl for what my Dr. thought was diverticulitis. The pain (diverticulitis) went away by the fourth day of meds but on the fifth day I had other things going on. I thought I had the flu. I kept getting extremely hot (but didn't have a fever), then cold chills. My lower back ached terrible along w/ a major headache and I had never been so nausious in my life w/o vomitting. I couldn't even look at food or even sip water w/o feeling extremely ill. I was constipated as well. I kept making excuses for it all saying I must have the flu instead of suspecting the drugs I was on. On the 8th day I returned to the doctor and by now I was completely broke out and my face, ears and back of my upper arms felt like they were on fire. He knew immediately that it was a reaction to this drug! He advised me to stop taking both meds I was prescribed but didn't offer me any options for relief from the burning. I found spraying Solarcaine on my arms helped alot. I feel for everyone who has ever experienced this type or any type of reaction and for those who haven't...may you never have to.

Hi, I had a really bad sinus infection and the doctor put me on Sulfameth/trimethoprim 800/160 tabs.
I've been taking it for four days. The second day when I woke up I had red dots all over me. They eventually went away. I can't hardly sit because my tailbone hurts so bad. (It wasn't sore at all before the medication) Persistent sweats, jitters, headache, goosebumps. I absolutely don't feel any better than I did the day I went to the doctor.

I had been prescribed sulfameth/trimethoprim 800/160 tabs twice a day for seven days for a UTI. Immediately they made me feel small waves of nausea and I have a terrible back ache. I've also had a bad headache a couple of days and for some reason I find it difficult to fall asleep at night. I've also had an overall crappy feeling and just want to lay in bed all day. I have also had some serious chills a couple of days too. I only have 3 days left of my prescription, hopefully I don't develop anything worse.

I had many side effects from Sulfameth. The worst being a headache. I have never experienced such a bad headache in my life. I have never had a migraine, but I am sure this could compare. This went on for 3 straight days. The first side effect was an upset stomach. I could not keep anything down. This was a completly different symptom then what I was treated for (sinus infection). That lasted for about 2 straight days. Today is the 5th day I have been on the drug, and it is the first day I have not had a headache. For the past two days though I have had a horrible medal like taste in my mouth and I am constantly thirsty. They are horrible side effects, but I am sticking it out hopeing that the end results are much better and worth all the miserable stuff I have gone through. Oh yeah and loss of appetite for the first couple days.

After taking this medication for 4 days I woke up from a terrible nightmare shaking uncontrollably with a rushing sound in my ears, felt like my brain was being sucked out of my skull, I immediatley stopped taking the medication but I suffered with a bad headache for the rest of the day.

After 4 days of taking this medication I woke up from the worst nightmare shaking uncontrollably with a rushing sound in my ears, felt like my brain was being sucked out of my skull, stopped taking it immediatley, I had the worst headache for the rest of the day.

I have a few side effects, i'm very tired,major headache, kinda a fever, nausea, and loss of appetite.

The doctor at the university gave me this for my sinus infection. Thank God it was only a five day prescription. I'm on the last day as we speak. I ran into this site while searching for side effects. My symptoms have not been as severe as others. Headache, fatigue, stomach ache, and an uncontrollable appetite. I'm drinking water but not that much. Only around 40-60 ounces a day which is obviously not enough. I've been staying up very late at night. Bedtime is around 4-5 in the morning. Last night I noticed redness on my gums. When I brushed my teeth and used mouthwash it burnt like all hell. My gums feel better today. It hasn't been fun but I will say the medicine did its job. I don't feel the "rock" in my throat anymore thats for sure. Which is well worth the price concerning the side effects.

My 16 yr old started taking Sulfameth for acne, by the 2nd day she was extremly nervous, sick to her stomach, had a slight fever, headache, and was very shaky. By the 4th day she had gained almost 8lbs and started hallucinating!! on top of all the other problems. When we put two and two together and realized it might be the medication and not the flu we took her off it immediately. She is now back to normal after being off it about 5 days.

This is scary stuff!!!

warning DONT TAKE THIS DRUG i took it for three days and i am now suffering from migraines for 5 weeks now ... im serious this drug is destroying me ..i have never had a migraine in my life ,,, maybe a headache but never a migraine that feels like a knife is piercing ur head . i have gone to a neorologist and have had an mri ... a mra all negative and currently on topamax and going for p t all bec of sulfameth .... take that stuff off the market

I started taking trimethoprim for a bladder infection on 29.12.05. It gave me the most severe headache nausea and vomiting and total restlessness!! I needed to drink plenty because of the infection but couldn't keep anything down. I only took three but when I stopped the effect gradually wore wore off I was so relieved and felt so much better! I think I must have been allergic. How is it cultered???? The cure was far worse than the actual infection which was bad enough.

I became deathly ill after taking just 4 of these pills. For good advice......stay away from this drug Sulameth. I have had a severe headache, loss of sleep, tremendous muscle cramps in arms and legs, loss of apetite, unable to eat or drink, dry eyes, and etc. I have quit taking the meds and still am having side effects. Think twice before taking this horrible med.

nausea and severe migraine-type headache, bad taste in my mouth on my tongue, feeling pretty generally awful. I knew it was the sulfameth which I had been prescribed for UTI

Sulfameth cleared up a serious infection in my finger that I was in the hospital for on IV antibiotics and morphine for four days. However the drug did have upleasant side effecs, bad headache, trouble sleeping, vivid nightmares, depression and anxiety. I was in a very black mood, felt like the world was ending, felt claustrophobic, like I needed to escape somewhere. I took a natural product, 5HTP, and that solved the sleeping problem and also helped with my mental state. Also added L-Tyrosine Plus from twinlabs which helped with depression.

Hello,
I have often UTI's because I have to self cath 4-5 times a day. This is the 1st time I have been prescribed Sulfameth for a UTI and I have never had a worse reaction from medication. My eyes got bloodshot within 10 minutes, my vision got blurry. I started feeling a burning sensation in my chest and shoulder that moved up to my neck. My chest got really tight and my breathing got very shallow. I am 25 years old and I though I was having a heart attack when one side of my body got tingly and my chest hurt. I called poison control to figure out how to get it out of me and they told me to call 911. I didn't, I waited to see if it passed, and it did, about 6 hours later, but today I feel horrible. I have a terrible headache and no energy. I had to call out of work. BE CAREFUL with this stuff, I will not be taking it anymore.

high fevers, chills, red rash all over swollen skin, major headache, swelling in eyes, anxiety difficulties, confusion, lots of sweating, difficulty sleeping, strange dreams, and I've been really shakey and tired too but can't do anything about it. I am taking no more of this crap ever again.

July 26th, 2005
I was given this medication for a UTI and this is just my third day. It's seems to be helping my UTI, but I am having very bad headaches. Not sure if I will continue the medication.
I'll try taking in more fluids and also taking something for my
headache, ahead of time.

Took meds 3 weeks ago. Seemed to clear up the UTI, but it has returned. Dr. prescribed Sulfameth/Trimethoprim 800/160 Tabs. Guess I was too ill the 1st time, but did notice sleeplessness. This time with the 1st pill and noticed my face got red and I developed a severe headache about 6 hrs. after taking it. Could not sleep. Lingering headache, am drinking lots of water/juice. Took 2nd pill this AM and noticed my face turned red and am wondering if this is the same ingredient that is in wines with SULFITHS because this is the same reaction I get if I have a glass of wine. Still have a headache. Will discontinue using this med.

I have only taken 3 Tablets so far, and I am having flu like symptoms and joint pain in my body. I am also experiencing tightness in the chest, bloated feeling, vaginal itch, headache, and a pain in the middle of my abdomen. I was give this medication for a bladder infection.

Headache, mood swings, itchy arms and pain in legs. No sleep, weird dreams and depressed.

My daughter who is 8 years old was prescribed this medication for a Urinary Tract Infection. She broke out in a painful rash on her chest, stomach, and back within 8 hours of taking the first dose. Since then she has been complaining of a bad headache, body aches, numbness in her mouth, and excessive thirst. We discontinued the medication after only two doses. I am really scared. I will be taking her back to the doctor in the morning. One thing's for certain, my child will NOT be taking this medication ever again!

Hi,

I am now taking sulfameth for a UTI, and this is my second day of taking it. So far, I haven't had any horrible reactions. I did get a very bad stinging type of headache lastnight after the second pill, but since I get migraines often, I didn't blame the medication for it. I am very tired and fatigued, and have no appetite whatsoever, so this might be due to the med, but I have problems with my stomach, so again, I don't want to fully blame the medication for this. As long as it takes care of the UTI, I can deal with the tiredness and no appetite till I'm done taking all of it. I have no reason to go off of it so far.

My bottle said not to stay in the sun or you could get a rash. I'm taking it for bronchitis/pnuemonia... I have taken it for three days and have a had a horrid, ongoing headache, have been grouchy, lack of appetite, and a little disoriented. I hate this medication and will NEVER take it again. I'm not sick anymore--but I feel awful, does that make sense?

I just started today, about an hour after takiing my first pill I got a shooting pain inside my head, severe pounding chest and shaking all over, it felt like a panic attack. I took 2 advil and "walked it off". I'm very shaky, achy, groggy, and have slight headache, also itchy vagina but I've been taking Veetids before this so that may have caused the yeast infection. Noticable lack of appetite as well.

Major headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, tingling in the hands, joint pain - general achiness, like the flu. I have been taking Sulfameth for two days, but after experiencing these side effects, and reading that others have experienced the same - I am stopping. There was no indication at all of any side effects, nor were there any warning labels on the bottle.

Intense itching throughout my body, especially in crotch area. fever, headache as well. had to be hospitalized.