Bactrim DS for Bacterial Infection User Reviews

• Cel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2019

"3 days into the course, and I am experiencing: 1. Very bad dizzy spells. 2. Feelings of great weakness. 3. Feelings of great anxiety. 4. Feelings like I am dying. 5. My head & stomach are aching up a storm. 6. I am nauseated & vomiting. 7. Vagina burning, that started on the second day. I HAVE had Bactrim before for UTIs but have NEVER experienced what I am with this darn one. My question is what have they put/added into the drug to make me react in such a horrid nasty way?"

• Bja...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2019

"Worst medication ever. My anxiety is through the roof. I am freezing most of the time when I’m not drenched in sweat. Heart rate is racing. Can’t sleep due to the horrible feeling of not waking. It’s like the spins but different. I swear I was seeing the light! I would be listening to my husband tell me to drink the water next to me, but I couldn’t respond or move. It was like I was paralyzed. Very terrifying. If at all costs, please find an alternative antibiotic. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy... pure torture. I am prescribed it for 14 days twice daily, and I’m only on day 3."

• Dai...
• February 24, 2020

"I read the reviews, but I really wished I would’ve listened. It seems like it’s helping cure my staph infection, but the side effects aren’t worth it. Maybe the medication was too strong of a dose, but I had to take 800 mg/160 mg 2x a day for 10 days. I’m writing my review as I’m taking this medication, it’s making my heart race, it’s making me dizzy and lightheaded, jittery, messing with my stomach, confused, and headaches are off the wall. I’m drinking plenty of water and eating plenty of food. I’m also breastfeeding, and it seems like it’s making my son sick. He was fine until I started taking it, and now he’s vomiting, very fussy, has low fevers, and is sleeping on and off all day. We’re not around people too much, so it’s highly unlikely he got sick from somewhere else. I stopped taking it after the third day. I had to call an ambulance because I was home alone with my baby and I felt so off, and my heart was racing all day."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2020

"Started on this sulfate antibiotic, Bactrim, 2 days ago for an infected sebaceous cyst. Several hours after taking the first pill, I developed a 102° fever, splitting headache, muscle aches... I thought I was coming down with the flu. The second day, the same thing happened... fever, muscle aches, severe headache again. Took some Tylenol and crawled into bed for the entire afternoon. I’m not going to take tonight’s pill and call the doctor in the morning for a different antibiotic. I’ve never had reactions like this to any antibiotics I have taken in the past."

• Diz...
• August 3, 2016

"Took it twice like I was supposed to, in the morning and at night, and my head feels like I was drunk, kind of like I kept getting dizzy and feeling weird. I don't know, but I still don't feel right. I feel like puking and being sick. I went to the doctor and got amoxicillin instead, and I don't feel any better. I have a zoo trip tomorrow, and it made me feel awful and even worse. I still feel kind of drunk and dizzy, and like I may pass out, and I'm scared to fall asleep because I may die."

• Rod...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2019

"Bactrim has been the worst experience of my life. First, I was on the IV for PCP pneumonia, which cleared up with not many side effects, but once I went on the oral Bactrim, that all changed. My tongue is swollen and sore constantly. I have a hard time eating, and my stomach is torn up from it all the time. I have a hard time sleeping because of the crazy dreams, and it keeps me awake. And now I have developed a painful sore throat and swollen glands to the point I have trouble speaking. Eating has become awful! I hate this drug, and my doctor continues to prescribe it to me."

• Jak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2019

"Prescribed Bactrim for sore throat after taking Amoxicillin for 4 days (culture test indicated that Amoxicillin would not work for the bacteria found). At first, side effects included drowsiness, weakness, confusion, overall sluggishness, severe anxiety, rapid heart rate, and insomnia. I am on day 5 of 7 and have regained strength and have less confusion/drowsiness; however, the anxiety, increased heart rate, and insomnia are still present. I have woken up twice in the middle of the night with a rapid heart rate, anxiety, sweats, and an inability to fall back asleep. Hopefully, this will cease to be a problem once I complete the course. This antibiotic is definitely not for me, and I will opt for an alternative should I ever need it again. I gave it a 3 (instead of 1) because I believe it has helped with the infection; however, the side effects are awful for me."

• tan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2019

"I took Bactrim 800 mg for acne. 30 mins after taking it, my vagina started burning intensely. I did take it and then get into my pool, so I thought it was from the chlorine. I got out, showered, and after a few hours, the burning subsided. I took another pill and once again the burning started intensely. I went to bed, slept through the night, woke up, and still have the symptom plus itchy eyes, face, and arms. I took Benadryl and I am praying for relief. When I spoke to my mother about these symptoms, she said she had the exact same reaction. Beware!"

• Lil...
• July 29, 2019

"This is my 2nd time on Bactrim. I contracted MRSA after my c-section, and although it does the job it’s prescribed to do, I have never felt so lethargic, nauseous, and just extremely sleepy. The nausea comes in waves all day long, and I can hardly stay awake. I couldn’t figure out what was going on with me until I thought, I bet it’s my antibiotic! Bactrim does the healing of staph infections, but it wreaks havoc on your body as well."

• Nar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2013

"I have been on Bactrim DS for 6 days (4 more to go) and was diagnosed with MRSA. I feel the medicine is working very well, but my side effects are bad! I feel nauseous all day. I have a hard time eating. I feel like I'm pregnant. My stomach cramps, sometimes bloated, a little bit of dizziness here and there, and always feeling like I am going to throw up. I'm just really glad that Bactrim DS is working for my MRSA because I really don't want to go through different meds and then end up being hospitalized because I couldn't find the right antibiotics for treatment."

• Dol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2020

"Developed an abscess, doctor prescribed Bactrim for infection along with opening and draining abscess. Within one hour of taking my first dose, I had this happen: throat started feeling tight, lips started swelling. Within hours, throat became worse, fever developed, and lips were covered with blisters. Later in the evening, my eyes were burning like someone had dumped chemicals in them. I developed small ulcers on corneas. Vaginal soreness followed. I had a severe reaction to Bactrim after one dose. It has now been 24 hours and my condition has improved slightly. PLEASE think twice before taking this medication. Doctor says I’m very lucky to have not ended up in the hospital."

• Hhh...
• November 15, 2018

"I’ve been taking this and am randomly getting anxiety and a jittery feeling. I also keep having weird dreams since I’ve been on it. I had an ear/near my tooth infection. I’m allergic to amoxicillin, so I was prescribed Bactrim. I’m on the 8th day, and I feel insomnia and anxiety. My feet are also really cold. It fluctuates, but I’ll be quitting tomorrow since I don’t feel like myself."

• Anonymous
• May 10, 2011

"This medicine is working for me, but it makes me feel horrible. I've been shaking, have had a rapid heart rate, nausea, extremely thirsty, chills (no fever), dizziness, and cold hands and feet. I did find that taking probiotics helps. It doesn't take away everything, but it helps with the nausea. The only reason I continue to take it is because the doctor said this could be MRSA."

• Des...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2021

"I had taken the Bactrim 800/160 twice in a day as told. When I got it after my appointment and before bed. That night I was up until 6 am throwing up the medicine. I felt nauseous, confused, and my stomach hurt bad. I had food in my stomach, so I’m unsure why it acted this way, but I would never take it again."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2017

"My 83-yr-old father took only five (5) pills over the course of a few days and ended up in the hospital in acute renal failure and a 103-degree fever. This man was not on any medications prior to taking Bactrim DS and was still working. His kidney functions have not returned to normal, his blood platelets are critically low, his blood pressure is now elevated, as well as his blood glucose. His whole life has changed for the worse all because of five (5) Bactrim pills. I just hope he's on the road to recovery."

• jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2020

"Was on the Bactrim antibiotic for 1 week to clear up epididymitis. It took around 4-5 days to notice any difference, and I didn't really experience any sort of side effects other than anxiety, which is something I already struggle with anyway, but it seemed to amplify it, and at times I felt confused and kind of dizzy. Make sure to drink lots of water, and also, I would recommend taking it with food to avoid any stomach problems. Overall, the pain from epididymitis is gone, and that is all I care about, I think the side effects are worth it, and remember they are only temporary."

• Nei...
• August 12, 2014

"Have been taking this medicine for 5 days for cellulitis that developed on my leg below the knee. I had waited 7 days prior to seeking treatment. The first three days after getting an injection, type not known, thick solution, and needle, and taking Bactrim and Cephalexin showed little signs of improvement. The 4th day showed signs of reduced swelling, the 5th day swelling all but gone, reduced redness and warmth at the site. The 6th day redness reduced greatly and leg feels normal. However, side effects: extreme fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, overall ill feeling. Overall benefits outweigh side effects."

• S S...
• April 12, 2017

"I have been taking Bactrim for a total of 3 days. I have awful headaches, the shakes, spiky fevers, tightness in my chest, and can barely keep my eyes open from exhaustion. I have 7 days left of treatment, and I'm not sure I'm going to finish it. I feel worse with the medication than I did with the infection. Granted, it has reduced swelling and pain at the infection site. So I guess it's doing one thing right."

• Mea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2019

"I am currently taking this medicine to help me fight a serious bacterial infection. Every time I take it during the day, nasty side effects occur... the feeling of throwing up, very bad stomachaches, feeling like I have diarrhea. However, I have been defecating fine but still feel like I have diarrhea due to the extremely bad stomachache I am currently having. My throat is getting better, and I sound less congested. I think that's one of the many benefits that it has. I am hoping to be on a different drug that will help me get better faster and never have this very strong drug negatively affect my stomach anymore!"

• Joa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2019

"For 6 months, I had a sore throat. It felt like a lump in my throat. I went to 5 different doctors because, well, I'm in North Dakota. Sore throat for 6 months. Blood test normal. Negative for mono. Laparoscopy negative for other diseases. Red swollen tonsils. I was finally given Bactrim DS by a doctor who flew in from another state to see me and other patients. An ENT specialist, she prescribed this wonderful medication. I had strep and pus stuck in my throat from 2 head colds back-to-back months earlier. My side effects from Bactrim DS: yellow diarrhea for the duration of the medicine. Not bad, though. Extreme drowsiness an hour after taking it, which was unexpected for just an antibiotic. Did not drink alcohol with it either. Took one pill twice a day. Shaky from blood sugar drop on the first day, but I ate full meals and was okay. Felt better after 4 days. No sore throat since. Took the whole bottle to kill all the germs. Love this medicine!"

• cri...
• April 30, 2016

"I'm on this medication after developing a staph infection in my C-section incision. I began feeling dizzy on day one. I've had some itching on my stomach, but not too terribly. Yesterday (day 6 of 10) I developed a headache. I still have said headache. I feel blurry-visioned and dizzy all day. Extreme hunger too. Idk. My staph is healing, and the incision looks great now... But after suffering a severe spinal headache following my surgery... A headache is the last thing I want to experience. 3 more days... Ugh. Is it effective for infection? Yes. Is it pleasant to endure? Nope."

• Anonymous
• August 12, 2009

"I had possible strep throat. First day I took it, my fever rose to over 102. I was shaking, chills, rash. My blood pressure (and I have high blood pressure) was 100/55, and my pulse was 50. I was not feeling well at all. I called the doctor the next morning, and he switched me to Amoxicillin. I hope it works better. Now I have an under-the-skin rash all over and am itching. Guess I am allergic to this one."

• a s...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2020

"I'll be honest, I was not expecting much from Bactrim, but it definitely helped me. Bactrim alleviated my joint and epididymitis pains, amongst other things, including clearing my skin. Unfortunately, at the 6th day of treatment, I began to get itchy and called my doctor, who informed me I must be allergic to it. I'm sad since it worked, and while it was working, I felt fantastic and healthy. It took some time to work (about 5 days). Aside from the itchiness, I didn't experience any additional side effects. I was even sleeping better, but that was most likely due to it getting rid of the bacteria causing my systemic infection. Give it a go if you receive a script for it! Currently on the quest for finding an alternative that works just as well, if not better. Bear in mind when reading reviews about any antibiotic that the negative effects of it could be due to an allergic reaction, and that just because someone else is allergic to it (and had a bad anaphylactic reaction at that) does not mean you are!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2017

"Prescribed Bactrim after I got bit by a black widow spider. 36 hrs after the bite, my skin was red, swollen, and a red streak was tracking up my arm towards my armpit. Given Bactrim to prevent worsening cellulitis (further infection). No issues until I took a morning dose, 4th day, after only having coffee. Felt queasy and an hour later, had cramps, bowel motion. Thought I needed to eat. Ate half an avocado and 15 mins later, vomited till my stomach felt empty. Only took about 8 heaves but rested my gut for a few hours and kept down fish, egg, and avocado. Next dose about 10:30 pm, and I'm eating first!"

• vch...
• December 28, 2017

"I've never experienced any side effects from antibiotics. But this stuff is scary. I took my second dose today, and after 2 hrs, I started to feel light-headed, my heart started racing, and a strong headache came on top of it. It is getting better now after 14 hrs. I refuse to take it any longer and let my body do the job."