Bactrim DS and Dizziness: What Users Say

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

For Bacterial Infection "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?"

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "This Bactrim stuff is awful! Taking for a UTI. I am used to taking Cipro, but have stopped due to the nasty side effects of that one. Have been taking the Bactrim for the UTIs instead. Every time I take this stuff, I feel weak and dizzy, my head hurts so bad, and I get antsy and stir crazy. I don't want to eat or sleep, and the nausea can be overwhelming. This stuff makes me feel like I am going to fade away and die. Once the medication wears off, I feel much better, but then it's time to take another dose, and it starts all over again. Ugh! It gets rid of the painful infection, but I just feel so awful while I am on this stuff."

• Gea...
• January 10, 2017

For Bacterial Skin Infection "This is my second time taking this medication, both times it was prescribed for an alleged spider bite. The first time I took it, I stopped before finishing because the side effects were terrible. I experienced headache, dizziness, flu symptoms, and flushing. The second time I took it, I had the same experience, so I drank 2 liters of water and symptoms subsided tremendously. This is a double antibiotic, so it is imperative that you drink a very large amount of water when taking it, otherwise, the medication is concentrated in your system, and the side effects will be unbearable."

• Anonymous
• April 5, 2013

For Urinary Tract Infection "Had a 7-day prescription of Bactrim DS. The first two days, I had a headache. By the 3rd day, I started feeling nausea, which turned into nausea, dizziness, and constant fatigue. I've been off the medicine for 36 hours and still feel extremely exhausted, dizzy, and a little queasy at times."

• Dai...
• February 24, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "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."

• Ann...
• December 17, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim DS for a severe UTI and a 7-day, twice-a-day schedule. On the second day of dosage, I began having flu-like symptoms such as dizzy spells, nausea, aches, weakness, and I felt so sick I thought I was going to die. I felt worse each day, and by the 6th day of dosage, I had to return to my doctor. He said I must have had a severe allergy to this medicine. He gave me a shot of antibiotics and a prescription of 500 mg Amoxicillin. I am finally feeling better. The Bactrim did not work on me. They put a note in my chart to not prescribe Bactrim to me again. I think that some people have allergies to this, I know I do. Hope my story helps you."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I've had multiple UTIs in my life, so I know what it feels like when I'm getting one. Tuesday night I had symptoms, so I went to the doctor the morning after. Got prescribed Bactrim DS. I did what everyone shouldn't do and Googled reviews. I was so scared to take it, but I felt 100% fine. I was a little dizzy when I first took it, but I honestly think that it was all in my head. This is the only medicine I take for UTIs. I suggest taking it with food to prevent nausea. But no dizziness. No nausea. No fever. And my infection feels better already."

• Diz...
• August 3, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "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."

• Anonymous
• December 23, 2009

For Urinary Tract Infection "I've just taken my 3rd pill, and every time I take it, I feel extremely lousy. Terrible headaches, dizziness, blurry vision, shaky nervousness, some difficulty breathing, beginning to itch. I don't like this at all the way I feel. Just before I need to take the next dose, I'm feeling my old normal self, and then I take the Bactrim and, boom, I go downhill again. Told my doctor I quit, it's ruining the quality of my life."

• Anonymous
• September 17, 2010

For Urinary Tract Infection "Took this for 3 days. 2nd day got severe itching on palms and soles of feet. Day three had uncontrollable shakes, heart racing, felt like it was going to come out of my chest, facial numbness, dizzy, very elevated (for me) blood pressure of 145/90, whole body tingling, dizziness, lightheaded, extremely intense nervousness, ringing in my ears."

• Bat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2020

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I have MRSA from a piercing and was put on Bactrim (2 in the morning, 2 in the evening) 4 days ago. After 2 days on it, I took myself to the hospital. I have never felt this horrible, I swear I feel like it's going to be the end of me. It started out with a bad headache, no appetite, a little dizzy. Right now, I'm sitting on the bathroom floor waiting to throw up, I didn't sleep for even a minute last night even though I was exhausted. I can't stop shivering and shaking, I'm so hot but not running a fever-unbelievable headache. My doctor said this is the only medicine that will help MRSA, and I'm dumbfounded. Is this medication even worth it? I don't know if these feelings are the medication working or not."

• Anonymous
• July 3, 2012

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Medicine cleared up skin problem, but I have been tired, dizzy, nauseous, and have had stomach distress the whole time. Today was so bad I went to the emergency room just to be sure there was nothing else wrong with me."

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

For Bacterial Infection "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."

• Anonymous
• June 7, 2011

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I have been on Bactrim for 1 week now, and my skin is almost completely clear. I had a very bad infection across my chin and up to the right side of my nose, small red bumps, and an itchy rash that would peel over and got infected. Within 2 days, I noticed a huge difference. This medicine saved my life for sure. Dermatitis and skin issues on the face can really do a number on your self-esteem. I am back to almost clear skin and so, so happy. A little tired and was dizzy at first, but promethazine helps with that if your doctor can prescribe it, it helps with nausea. Other than that, this medicine rocks."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Was prescribed Bactrim for UTI when first med did not work. 3rd day in, feeling better until 2nd dose taken. Began to feel nausea, dizzy, fatigue, terrible anxiety, unable to sleep or relax. Felt like I was going crazy. Also had constipation, back and stomach pain as well. Almost went to ER. This med is horrible. Never again!"

• Mr ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2017

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I'm on my fourth 800/160 pill of Bactrim, treating MRSA infection, which has also caused my lymph nodes behind my knee and groin to swell and hurt. I initially took doxycycline for about 4 days, with worsening infection. Bactrim worked day 1. The infection started to clear, and lymph swelling and pain are going away. Unfortunately, I had severe anxiety, including shaking, tightness in my chest, very dizzy, and feelings of doom. It's possible this was brought on by me overreacting to a slight side effect, but this is a very strong antibiotic. It works, but you might have to suffer through it. Not fun."

• Anonymous
• May 10, 2011

For Bacterial Infection "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."

• Glo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2015

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim DS for a paronychia infection on my right index finger. There was no apparent abscess, so the doctor felt a script of Bactrim DS would do the job. After taking the first pill, I began to feel dizzy and nauseous. Over the next few days, I had barely any appetite and wanted to sleep all day. I felt like I could not get enough sleep. I was also extremely sensitive to the sunlight, which only enhanced my desire to sleep more. Overall, the infection did not appear to change in the 3 1/2 days on the antibiotic, but that is not to say it did not work. I just was not able to function on it, therefore I called my doctor for something else."

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2015

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I had an abscess that had been draining for about 6 days without end and finally went to the ER and had it lanced and packed. The ER doctor prescribed Bactrim DS. After two days, I became dizzy and nauseous and pretty much bedridden. Based on the reviews here and other sites, I have discontinued using the drug. (10-day dosage) The abscess has stopped draining and seems to be doing okay after taking the meds for 5 days. Also, the ER doctor failed to notice that my HBP med conflicts with this med. (Lisinopril) Next time, I will do more research. Normally, I do, but I felt so miserable, I assumed they knew better."

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2011

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I found that within a day of taking Bactrim, the infection got better, which was GREAT because I had had it for a while. I experienced a few side effects: dizziness, lack of energy, insomnia if I took the pill a few hours before bed (I found to overcome this, I took the pill just before going to sleep), and headaches, but they seemed to dissipate after 2-3 days."

• Fin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I had a UTI, usually, it goes away with OTC Azo and water, but this time I could not get rid of it. So I went to the ER. They gave me Bactrim: 2 a day for 5 days. I took the entire round of them, and nothing changed. The medicine itself made me sick as a dog. I could eat with it or not eat with it, and it didn't matter. I was still so nauseous. It gave me chills and made me dizzy as well. I wouldn't give this to my worst enemy!"

• EOl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "Got a pretty nasty UTI... I've had them before, so I knew the drill. Went to the doctor. The infection was confirmed. He prescribed Bactrim DS, twice a day for 7 days. I read the information provided by the pharmacist, so I knew what to look for in case of a problem and took the first dose. I did have a few side effects: dizziness, mild nausea, and my blood sugar was off, but the infection felt better by the end of day 1. I can deal with mild side effects if it means fixing a larger problem. Pros and cons to everything! I would take it again if needed."

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Taking it now for a UTI. I was on Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) for a day or so first and woke up with chills, fever, and vomiting. Doc said she thought I was having a negative reaction to the med, so switched to Bactrim. This is working on the infection, but I've got extreme dizziness and fatigue as side effects. I have a history of having trouble with antibiotics, however--can't take penicillin or any of the cillins due to reacting with hives. Had a bad reaction to Doxycycline and/or Metronidazole last year (itchy 'bruises' formed on my limbs). Obviously, now nitrofurantoin is also off the menu. So I'm going with Bactrim because at least I'm not having flu-like symptoms with it. They say about one in 15 people has issues with antibiotics. I'm the one!"

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

For Bacterial Infection "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."

• spa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "Knocked UTI symptoms out effectively after the first 24 hours. However, the side effects were not pleasant and were very noticeable: headache, nausea, dizziness, light-headedness, weakness, sweating, dry mouth, excessive thirst, tiredness. I'm on day 3 and have asked the doc to switch me to something else so I can function better at home and work. Trying Cipro. Be sure to drink water constantly when on Bactrim DS."