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Bactrim for Bacterial Skin Infection User Reviews

Bactrim has an average rating of 5.7 out of 10 from a total of 100 reviews for the treatment of Bacterial Skin Infection. 45% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 38% reported a negative experience.

Bactrim rating summary

5.7/10 average rating

100 ratings from 104 user reviews.

Compare all 26 medications used in the treatment of Bacterial Skin Infection.

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Reviews for Bactrim

  • Maria
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • November 8, 2019

"I started getting boils about a couple of years ago. And they are the worse! Took me along time to figure out what I could do to get some relief and make them go away. My dr prescribes me Bactrim and it starts to relieve the pressure and they start going down within 24 hours. I also like to put this boil salve on them with a bandaid, to keep it on there and without a mess. And the two work great! I see a lot of bad reviews. Well I have had bad anxiety/panic attacks for over 10 years now and Bactrim does not make it any worse. I don't have any side effects from this antibiotic. It works great for me. Some people may read reviews that are bad and they may think themselves into a panic attack. If you're allergic to it, that's another thing. Can't do anything for that. I'm just happy I have found an antibiotic that gets rid of these severe painful boils!"

10 / 10
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127 Report
  • Hilgy
  • September 16, 2014

"Contacted MRSA and received Bactrim for 14 days and cleared. Three years later contacted cellulitus from a wound not taken care of by me. Bactrim took care of it. Dangerous conditions cured with Bactrim."

10 / 10
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204 Report
  • Lirpa
  • October 30, 2013

"Can't live without having this in by medicine cabinet. At the onset of a suspected boil I take this and problem solved! I have been taking this for many years. Before Bactrim I had boil after boil, scars, and embarrassment. Miracle drug for boils, who cares about minor side effects!!!"

10 / 10
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207 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Girl...
  • February 6, 2017

"First and foremost I want to let you all know, reading things on the internet, WILL NOT help, nor really be a good indicator of your personal reaction to any drug. There are many negative reviews here for Bactrim, and I'm on day 3 of a 10 day dose for a staph infection (cellulitis) on, of all places the right side of my face/right ear (its wonderful!). Here's my experience: Side Effects: Fatigue, headaches (though not consistent). I have a weaker stomach, and its doing just fine with my probiotic (get one with 30billion strands) and drinking lots of water/eating while taking it. The infection is clearing up. Day 3 was when I really noticed. Don't be anxious when taking this, its definitely a mind over matter thing sometimes too."

8 / 10
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151 Report
  • kdezzle
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 13, 2019

"Posting my experience to hopefully put some minds at ease as reading these reviews really scared me! I am very sensitive to antibiotics and have had adverse reactions to the past three I have taken. I was prescribed Bactrim for a nasty spider bite to help it & prevent further infection. On day two I already experience immense relief from the pain and the bite started to shrink. I now am on day five and have had no side effects at all except some fatigue and minor nausea at night. Definitely bearable. Be sure to take a probiotic and remember everyone’s body is different! I am happy I finally found an antibiotic that agrees with me."

8 / 10
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98 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Col
  • August 18, 2018

"I’m on a Day 4 of very high dose (2 tabls twice a day) and it’s about the same as when I took it years ago (so far). On second day felt queasy, tongue and lips a little irritable, gut uncomfortable, generally crummy. By end of third day better on all fronts and expect/hope to be ok (using for a MRSA boil; redness going away rapidly!). I (almost) eliminated refined sugar, drink lots of water, not too much sun. Why so many bad reviews? I guess people who do ok (vast majority) don’t visit the site or leave comments. Hope this helps."

9 / 10
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99 Report
  • LizzyC
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 12, 2017

"I broke out in blisters on face, scalp, and chest. These were oozing a clear sticky fluid that literally melted the skin it oozed over. Tried everything over the counter and homeopathic but this flesh eating infection would not clear. Finally went to urgent care and was prescribed Bactrim for an assumed MRSA skin infection. Within The first 24 hours I had noticeable improvement. Sores weren't burning red and swollen, by 3rd day some scabs are already falling off with healthy pink skin underneath, no ooze, no new blisters. Day 5 you would hardly know I had a skin problem. All clear. Only side effect I had was loss of appetite. Didn't want to eat, nothing sounded good. Lost 4 pounds. Not everyone reacts bad to Bactrim."

8 / 10
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111 Report

More FAQ

  • irair...
  • June 3, 2016

"Day 3 on BACTRIM due to MRSA. Abscess was lanced and drained 5 days ago. Swelling/Pain of the abscess has finally begun remission. I did suffer from the reported migraine headache all day yesterday and it was quite debilitating, but no such headache today and I'm finally back at work. Also suffered from some seriously painful abdominal cramps that produced very loose/watery stool. Not much of an appetite today and feeling a little shaky so make sure you eat even if you don't want to. This drug is definitely very effective for treatment of MRSA. If the migraines were constant as others described I wouldn't not be back at work today. All my best wishes to everyone reading this."

10 / 10
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109 Report
  • LaCole
  • October 7, 2014

"I took Bactrim for a while now for bacteria of the hair follicles and it has helped a lot plus using dial soap. But every time I get boils it heals them. I don't have any side effects to the medicine. Every time I get this infection I have to take Bactrim because I can't take penicillin."

10 / 10
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109 Report
  • April
  • January 31, 2021

"I went to dermatologists for five years because of cysts/boils that were on my butt. I'd get one, it would go away, and I'd get another one. Doctors would put me on expensive medication that did nothing. Then I found the best dermatologist in the city and waited for four months to see him. The doctor said I would take Bactrim/sulfa 500mg 2x's a day for 30 days. I did that and they disappeared. He said some people have to take them for life, others would take them for 10 days when you have any little sign or a boil or cyst. I start taking the medication and the cyst or boil disappears. What a miracle treatment it's been to me as a person prone to cysts and boils!!!"

10 / 10
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42 Report
  • Aclye...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 17, 2016

"Currently on day 3 of a 10 day antibiotic blast of Bactrim after 2 days on Keflex. What I had originally thought was a pimple on my septum just inside my right nostril turned out to be a staph infection. I had lances the "pimple" when it came to a head, thinking it would provide relief, however the infection spread across my nares and over the tip of my nose overnight. Went to urgent care as I instantly suspected staph as the culprit and was prescribed Keflex and Bactroban topical until my follow up with my PCP. Infection showed moderate improvement at my follow up, but was then prescribed Bactrim. Within 24 hours the itch and swelling had completely subsided. By 48 hours the sores were cluster-scabbing, and today they're falling off!"

10 / 10
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75 Report
  • Texan...
  • January 20, 2013

"If you are prescribed Bactrim, take a probiotic with each pill and the side effects usually go away. Probiotics are over the counter. Before I could not take Bactrim or Keflex. Now no problem. I am on Bactrim for boils and taking the probiotic. "

10 / 10
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96 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 7, 2012

"I was prescribed Bactrim for a bacterial skin infection under my arm. I get infections easily and am often on all kinds of antibiotics. Many bother me, but I have not had any problems at all while on Bactrim. And the skin infection has been clearing up very well (I'm almost done with the medication.) I'm very happy with this medication."

10 / 10
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92 Report
  • khoff...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 16, 2014

"I was put on this medicine for a skin infection. I was reluctant to start it because of all the horror stories in the Internet. It does make me nauseous and it gives me a slight headache. Advil and Benadryl help with those side effects. I'm on the fourth day and my infection is nearly cleared. I was also given a Bactroban skin cream and that stuff is great. A pleasant side effect has been my skin clearing. I had perfect skin up until I hit 25 and then suddenly I had cystic acne on one side of my face. I was reluctant to take anything because it wasn't that bad, but the Bactrim has pretty much cleared it up."

8 / 10
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71 Report
  • Sky...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 16, 2021

"So many negative reviews on this bactrim that it surprised me because it worked great for me and I didn’t notice any adverse conditions whatsoever. Maybe only negative people write reviews and all the positive ones are out playing and don’t have time to write. Thanks Doc. good call on my meds."

10 / 10
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30 Report
  • Anonymous
  • September 20, 2010

"I have had MSRA "boils" 3 times in the last 5 years. Each time I have been given a prescription for Bactrim specifically because its a sulfate based antibiotic - each time the infection made an almost immediate change for the better in size, swelling, and pain associated with those. I was fortunate enough NOT to experience any side effects and my overall opinion of this antibiotic is that for me it's been FANTASTIC in the treatment of MSRA."

10 / 10
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88 Report
  • Yograj
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 20, 2015

"I suddenly got a 5 angry red boils on my chin...and the next day another 10. I knew I better see a Doc quickly. My Doc prescribed Keflex 500mg, and said that in 3-4 days, it should start working. But the boils kept spreading to my upper lip and cheeks. So, I got in touch with the Doc. He promptly changed the med to Bactrim 800/160, twice daily. With the second pill, I felt that the battle with the bacteria had changed. No more new boils were forming, and existing ones started becoming black instead the fiery red. The black boils are hard and not painful to the touch. Now, it is only 2 days out of the 10 day dosage, but I feel I am on the way to recovery. I don't know what caused this infection but I switched out my old razor blade."

10 / 10
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63 Report
  • Nikki
  • December 12, 2015

"I have just recently got out a living environment with a bunch of roomates, I found a small pimple under my arm and thought nothing of it, after a week it was so swollen and hot to touch I went to the ER. The doctor didn't want to cut the "pimple" open but I begged him to because of the pain-and he was glad he did...the amount of bacteria that came out was astonishing! He put me on bactrim and even though I had some side effects it went away.....but then I got another abcess on my head about 2 months later....took bactrim it went away....then 2 months after that i got another abcess on my finger....took bactrim it when away.....now i once again have 3 abscesses under my armpit and am currently on bactrim again! 4 months later!"

7 / 10
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53 Report
  • Chell...
  • June 15, 2014

"If you're ever on antibiotics, it's best to take a probiotic to help with stomach upset. However, I read you should take them as far away from your dose of antibiotic as possible. So, if you have to take it twice a day: take the Bactrim at breakfast and dinner. Then take the probiotics directly between at around lunch time. Taking any antibiotics with food also helps. Certain antibiotics have different food instructions so ask your pharmacist. I'm currently on Bactrim for a urinary tract infection, but I also have an infected hair that's been causing me a lot of pain in my groin so I'm hoping this will help there as well."

5 / 10
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58 Report
  • Anonymous
  • April 13, 2008

"I began getting serious boils in the worst places a man could ever get them. A nurse friend of mine knowing I was diabetic said that many diabetics get boils in the genital area and suggested I take Bactrim. This drug cleared them up quickly,leaving me to be one happy man."

10 / 10
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84 Report
  • Kell
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 4, 2020

"I was prescribed Bactrim for 10 day course to treat Staph infection in my skin. I had no issues other than fatigue for first 6 days but by day 7 I woke up feeling dizzy and so tired. I kept pushing on taking the tablets because it was working to clear boils. By day 8-9 I had a rash over my body. I felt so lightheaded. Even laying down my body ached as if I had the flu."

2 / 10
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29 Report
  • BL fl...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 4, 2014

"I was first prescribed Augmentin for an infection from a puncture wound near the nail bed of my thumb. It made me feel like I was suffering from morning sickness and did not work. Next I got Flagyl and Bactrim. The culture showed the Staph was sensitive to Bactrim and the wound is SO much better! Yes, there are some side effects (for me, insomnia but I don't know if that is Flagyl or Bactrim) but it is so much better than losing my finger! I also took Florastor with the medication to reduce intestinal upset and experienced none."

10 / 10
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56 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 21, 2009

"I took Bactrim for a bacterial infection under my skin, on my face, that resulted in many cystic like bumps. They were so painful. After taking the medicine for just a few days, the swelling and pain went away and the bumps cleared up. I would take this medicine again."

9 / 10
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73 Report
  • WishI...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 2, 2022

"I have severe medical anxiety thanks to terrible reactions to medications that started after a surgery. I’ve been on too many that made me feel absolutely crazy and had terrible side effects. I made the mistake of reading these reviews before starting Bactrim and was absolutely terrified. I took the first pill and immediately knew I was going to die and had terrible anxiety about this reaction I was going to have. But, guess what? I was FINE! I just took my last dose of a 7 day course and the only issue I had was making the mistake of going in the sun. I ended up burning a lot quicker than normal (there’s a warning for that). In fact, it had a pro to it… turns out it also helped my never ending stomach issues. Don’t let the other reviews scare you. As someone else said, most people only take the time to write reviews after a negative experience. That’s why I decided to start reviewing my positive ones."

10 / 10
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15 Report
  • Liv
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 24, 2023

"I was prescribed Bactrim for a skin infection caused by an ingrown toenail. My podiatrist removed it, then put me on Bactrim DS (double strength) 2x daily for 2 weeks. After reading reviews here, I was terrified to take the first dose. I took it on an empty stomach because anxiety left me with no appetite. I drank plenty of water. Not one side effect. No nausea, no diarrhea, no insomnia, no sleepiness, no increased anxiety, no itchiness, nothing. The only thing was a mild headache on day two; however, I am prone to migraines so that could’ve been the norm with or without Bactrim. Some Excedrin worked, I haven’t had another headache since. I noticed my toe looking so much better with less pain by day 2 on Bactrim. I took one around 7 am, then a probiotic supplement around noon, followed by my second dose at 7 pm. People come here more when something goes wrong than when it works. That’s why I wanted to leave this review after a great experience."

10 / 10
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7 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

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