Bactrim DS for Bacterial Skin Infection User Reviews (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• June 2, 2011

"I was prescribed Bactrim 2x a day for 30 days for a Staph infection. However, after taking it for about 7 days, I developed a rash. The rash did not itch but started at my shoulders and went down to my legs. I've now begun taking Benadryl to counteract symptoms. So far, it hasn't helped, the rash is still there. As far as the Staph infection, it looks a lot better."

• Woo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2019

"So I had taken Bactrim before for a UTI, and it was great, it cleared it up, and I didn’t have any side effects. This time I'm on it for an abscess, and it's a whole different story. About 3 or 4 days in, I couldn’t keep any food down and had EXTREME nausea and vomiting. Another 2 days go by, and I can’t even keep down water or pills. I sleep maybe 3 or 4 hours a night and have a terrible headache for like a week. I go to the doctor yesterday, and she tells me I have to keep taking them. I’m still dying."

• Dis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2020

"I got a skin infection from a spider bite, so prescribed Bactrim. Relatively mild side effects except for sometimes feeling stoned. After my last dose (after 10 days), I experienced the worst side effects, I felt high, nauseous, exhausted, depressed, overly worried, my urination speed decreased, my urine was unusually dark despite drinking tons of water, I had chest pains, a cough (note, I also have asthma), a severe headache that lasted over one day, and I felt sick in general. Never taking this again, at this point, it's unbearable, and there's nothing more I can do right now other than wait it out."

• dud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2016

"Bactrim DS cleared up my infected finger, just like most antibiotics do. The difference is in the side effects. The nausea and diarrhea are worse on this one. But the biggest problem was that my depression, which I had under control with medication, became worse than ever overnight. I don't know whether it interfered with my antidepressant (bupropion XL) or just aggravated the symptoms so much that it was uncontrollable. Either way, I spent a week alternating between despair and rage on a hair trigger. I would not try this again."

• can...
• May 3, 2015

"I have used this medicine for a staph bacterial infection. Normally, 9 years ago, it would work rapidly, and in 10 days it would be completely gone. But it has come back several times through the years. Now, with this last infection, I'm having to take double the dose every 12 hours, and I notice it has been hard to get rid of. I'm hoping I won't get this skin boil again because I'm afraid the antibiotics are not working 100%. What other options are there to take? But the Bactrim has been my savior, till now."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2018

"Bactrim healed the abscess infection that I had, but the lethargy was absolutely crippling for me. The first day on it, I was driving and was literally falling asleep for 2-3 seconds at a time and almost crashing. Had to go home, obviously. Other than that, I had side effects, but even with caffeine, my body felt like it weighed 1000 lbs and couldn’t keep my eyes open."

• Ale...
• February 15, 2018

"Absolutely the worst medication I've ever been on, and I've been on a lot. If an alternative is offered, take the alternative. Intense thirst, super awful anxiety (borderline paranoia), stomachaches and heartburn out the wazoo, night sweats, rash, dizziness, joint pain, loss of appetite were my symptoms (amongst others). Doc switched me to clindamycin. Not a single side effect! Symptoms gradually got better after dropping Bactrim."

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2018

"Never ever again will I take this medication. Ended up in the ER with what they said was cellulitis. Gave me Bactrim and Keflex to take. After taking the Bactrim, just after one day, headaches started. On day 4, I woke up and could not move any of my body, as every muscle, joint, neck, and head was so sore and aching. Went straight to urgent care, and they took me off the antibiotics. Still having severe pains all over, and I'm hoping it's just because the medication is still in my system. Seriously, do not take this. There are plenty more antibiotics to take than this and going through this also."

• dai...
• February 9, 2015

"I have a large swollen infection believed to be a staph infection. This medicine is working well, but on day 2, I am so nauseous, even after taking Zofran 8 mg. I cannot bear the thought of swallowing it or anything else. I've taken this before and did not get this effect. I have many other health issues at the time, but I was shocked I reacted this way."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2019

"Exactly 7 hours after taking 1 Bactrim (generic form), I threw up and had to visit the ER and receive my steroids through IV since I had a bad allergic reaction. What’s with this stuff? It used to work, now it’s hurting people."

• Pmc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2018

"It's definitely working, but I'm taking a beating. Had a post-surgery skin infection. First, I took cephalexin, but it did not fully go away. Now on Bactrim, 2 pills in the morning and 2 at night. On day 4, felt the hardest. Also taking probiotics at bedtime to help the digestive system. Got to say this stuff punishes you. I don't feel like myself. Foggy all day, small periods of shakes, dry tongue and mouth. Wiped me out. Can't wait to return to me."

• Moo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2019

"I was prescribed Bactrim DS for an infected callus between my toes. I am diabetic and take Tramadol for fibromyalgia and take extra potassium. All three were listed as serious drug interactions, but the pharmacist assured me I would be okay. Three days in, I was miserable. Headaches, exhaustion, nausea, and loss of appetite. And no, my urine didn't change to orange. And I drank lots of water too. I finally had to discontinue it."

• Abb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2019

"I developed a painful staph infection in my nose after a really nasty cold. Bactrim DS cleared it up quickly, but it was harsh on my body. The worst side effect that I had was extreme fatigue. Even walking around the house left me dizzy, out of breath, and shaking with exhaustion. Luckily, I had the sick days to take off work because I don't think I could have done it. I also had nausea and insomnia, but that was mostly just inconvenient. The exhaustion, though, was debilitating. I finished the entire 10-course because the staph infection was painful, and my nose was bright red and swollen. I was scared not to finish the meds. I would definitely ask for something else next time, though."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2021

"Been on Bactrim DS due to a skin infection after surgery. I take 2 a day, 12 hours apart. It is helping a whole lot, but I am so tired and weak. When I eat, it makes me want to vomit. Will be so glad when the script is gone!"

• Kai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2017

"I was prescribed Bactrim twice a day for 10 days. The first day was okay, by the 2nd day, I had a bad case of nausea and itchiness. On the 3rd day, nausea, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, and feeling cold along with insomnia. I stopped taking it and gradually I'm feeling like myself. I continued Keflex until the infection healed. I won't take it again. It's not worth the misery, in my opinion."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2020

"I am on my second day of Bactrim DS, and about halfway through the day today, I started feeling nauseous and sweaty while I was driving. After not even 2 minutes of having these symptoms, I vomited all over my car multiple times! I have been sweating with goosebumps and chills since my first dose. I will never take this medication again."

• Cec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2020

"My teen daughter was given a 10-day course of Bactrim (and Keflex) for an infected bug bite, even though she isn’t allergic to penicillin. It seemed to work until day 6, she had a mild fever and rash. Then on day 8, her face was covered with a rash, and within half an hour of the first rash, her whole face ballooned, and her lips, throat, and nose were in pain. We rushed to the ER, and she had Benadryl in IV. It was scary, and so I wondered why the doctor prescribed it if the majority of users have had terrible experiences with it (the ER doctor immediately recognized my daughter’s allergic reaction to Bactrim, so it must have been quite a common thing!). I will make sure we will never have this again!"

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2021

"Male, 49 years of age. Took Bactrim DS 2x a day for 14 days. I took it for an infected boil on my back. Within 2 days, the boil began shrinking and the infection began clearing up. Side effects for me were exhaustion and muscle weakness. During the second week, I would become tired to the point of falling asleep just from taking a shower and getting dressed. My arms were so weak I could hardly lift a bag of groceries (I can bench 200 lbs). My legs were sore like I ran a marathon. All of this cleared up about 3 or 4 days after I finished taking them. Overall, it was worth it for me."

• HEE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2017

"I was prescribed this for a staph infection of the skin. The first few days, I was very fatigued and had mild neck pain. Then, on Day 7 of 10 that it was prescribed for, I started breaking out in a rash on one thigh, and then it spread throughout the day and was on my chest and arms by the night. I was also freezing! I took 2 Benadryl that night, then woke up the next morning, and the rash was all over from my neck all the way down to my ankles, front and back, and I was cold all day! I went to urgent care and ended up getting a steroid injection at urgent care, then had to take a high dose of prednisone for 3 days after that. After steroids were started, I noticed that the joint pain went away, and I also was swollen from the rash."

• MC3...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2019

"I am taking a double dose of Bactrim (2 in the a.m. and 2 in the p.m.) for a skin infection after surgery. I have not experienced any of the flu-like side effects that have been mentioned below. I have a wound vac on, so it is hard to tell if the skin is healing."

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2021

"So I've had a small boil that turned into what I believe is a carbuncle because there were many heads/sore spots now, about 5 or 6, all gathered around that 1 boil I noticed before it got bigger. It's like they are all bunched up in a gumdrop/hill looking shape. The area would not drain on its own, and the hill looking shape feels firm to the touch. I finally went to the doctor after not healing or draining on its own for 4 weeks. She told me to take this medication. I took 1 pill at 7 pm, around 7:40 pm I felt my body feeling all kinds of sensations from head to toe. Around 10 pm I noticed my hands were completely swollen!!! I got so scared, my right hand looked like a glove that got blown up, my left hand, the veins were popping up so high and big. I called a 24/7 nurse line that comes with my insurance, she told me to keep my hand elevated and rest it, and if it gets any worse to go to the ER. It took a day for my hand to go back to normal, I took no more doses. This is not for me."

• Sca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2017

"I was prescribed Bactrim DS 800 mg for 10 days after I had an infected abscess on my outer labia. I had incision/drainage and tested negative for herpes simplex, CT+NG DNA, MRSA, and staph. I went 8 days and noticed minor hand shakiness, a sunburn-like itch/sting on my neck and collarbone, and some right abdominal pain, but didn’t think much of it. Day 9 happened, and I woke up with a minor but expanding rash on my chest, neck, torso, arms, and legs. I went to the ER, and they said Bactrim allergic reaction, prescribed methylprednisolone steroid, and Hydroxyzine. 48 hours since the last dose of Bactrim, lips are still dry, cracked, and I woke up with a minor flat blood blister on the inside of my bottom lip. Is this still affecting me??"

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2020

"The skin infection is healing, I think, so far, been 4 days. I started taking Bactrim for a wound not healing after plastic surgery. It looks healthier now, but not healed. Raging headaches since I started the medication. The biggest thing is discharge and a UTI that formed after I started. Side effects are horrible, I can barely walk due to the severity of the UTI. But it seems to be helping the wound. This is the 3rd time in the course of ten years or so I’ve taken Bactrim, every time I get a UTI."

• TJa...
• April 6, 2020

"It’s not a very fun game to play when you wonder if you’re coming down with the Rona. I have a moon-looking infection on my nose. It was treated like shingles twice, and it never went away, so now I’m on Bactrim. The headache is severe, I’ve never had anything like it in my life, and I’m 52. I cannot quite explain-it’s like in the middle of my head behind my eyes, but also when I turn my head, it hurts, and I can’t really move my head around. Very severe. I took four ibuprofen, then acetaminophen next, and one Excedrin, and it’s not gone. I haven’t slept a wink in two days. I’m exhausted, and my heart rate was recorded as 100 when I did sleep."

• Hiv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2022

"I was prescribed a 10-day supply of Bactrim DS for finger lesions infected with staph. Within 2 days, I noticed that the infection started to heal. I also immediately experienced side effects of nausea, diarrhea, and heart palpitations. My doctor ordered me to have an echocardiogram/heart monitor as a result of irregularities she saw on my EKG while taking Bactrim. At the end of the 10-day supply, the infection had not cleared completely, and I was given a second round. After starting the second round, I broke out into a rash that covered my entire body. I had to have a shot of Prednisone and take an additional 6 days. It has been more than a month since I took the last dose of Bactrim, and I still am dealing with the original infection as well as being treated for chronic hives. I have not had heart palpitations since stopping the medication."