Bactrim DS and Fatigue: What Users Say

• 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."

• Urm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "Prescribed generic Bactrim DS, 2x/day for 3 days. Just took my last dose and minimal side effects. I always ate a big, substantial meal before taking this medication even though I had a loss of appetite (ate food that had tons of starch). Also, drank tons of water after and throughout the day. I was constantly peeing, but at least I knew I was drinking enough. Had minor upset stomach and fatigue, but still very functional, especially when the pain from UTI was gone. Took a day and a half to feel relief."

• non...
• April 13, 2012

For Urinary Tract Infection "I also had similar experiences and side effects like lethargy, shaking, confusion slightly, severe fatigue, headaches, aches, and pains, but kept taking the medicine anyway because the pain of a urinary tract infection is much, much worse. I'd rather suffer for a short time with these symptoms than suffer with a bladder infection."

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Have taken Bactrim for frequent UTIs in the past with no side effects. Last night I took the first dose of Bactrim DS for yet another UTI; within 10 min, my vaginal area and lips were itching. Took antihistamine and went to bed. This morning my lower lip is very swollen/red, eyes are bloodshot, and have a round red rash on my upper arm. As the morning continued, I felt major flu-like symptoms: chills, fatigue, muscle/joint pain, headache - like death warmed over. Took aspirin for the pain and went to bed until the intense cold feeling left. The symptoms have abated except for the swollen lip, itchy eyes, and red rash. No idea why I had a reaction this time but will discuss it with my doctor. UTIs are bad enough without then getting very ill from the medication."

• Meg...
• September 2, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "No health insurance. Went to the ER for UTI and was prescribed Bactrim. UTI symptoms quickly subsided (didn't disappear completely but like 90% better), so that was nice. Then the Bactrim symptoms started. Oh man. I had a different set of symptoms every day. First, it was tingly hands and severe fatigue. Then I had a full-blown panic attack (depression and anxiety can be made worse by Bactrim apparently, so I tried to keep reminding myself of that). Last couple of days, I've had headaches and bad nausea. I'm on day 6 of my 7-day course now--gonna try my best to make it through the whole course, but wow, it's tough. I just hope these symptoms clear up once my pills are gone. It got its job done but made me miserable in the process!"

• 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!"

• SAa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "This is the second time for me that this has been prescribed for a UTI. The side effects are beyond terrible. Every joint in my body ached, major fatigue, rash, eyes very bloodshot. The worst thing, though, was the dry, cracked lips and loss of mucus membranes in the vulvar, vaginal area. I have never heard of this kind of side effect, and neither did the urologist. This has happened both times I was on Bactrim. I stopped taking it and never will again."

• 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."

• y12...
• March 17, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "It's my 4th day on Bactrim, and it has not been great. I feel better from the overall symptoms, but I've been fatigued and super groggy, and for the first day, I had a horrible headache. I keep feeling my heart pounding in my head and ears, but I agree with pretty much everyone else on here, the symptoms from the cure are better than the symptoms of my bladder/kidney infection. I've got 6 more days... Is it effective? Yes. Is it an enjoyable experience? No."

• 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!"

• Nei...
• August 12, 2014

For Bacterial Infection "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."

• Glo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "3 days of Bactrim DS for a UTI. The only problem I had was fatigue. I took the pill with a good amount of food and also used Monistat while I was taking it. I also asked my doc for Diflucan for post-treatment. I'm waiting for the Bactrim to completely leave my system before taking the 1 Diflucan pill. Also, I took a molybdenum supplement while taking Bactrim. Some people react to sulfur because they are deficient in molybdenum, which helps process it. Finally, I took a good amount of probiotics, which I will continue for a while."

• red...
• September 4, 2011

For Urinary Tract Infection "Received a seven-day prescription for Bactrim, and on the 5th day, lost appetite, had terrible body aches, and extreme fatigue. On the 6th day, had a fever and chills too. Stopped the treatment on the 7th day. Then, on the evening of the 8th day, developed a rash all over my upper body and face. Pharmacist recommended Benadryl, which helped somewhat. Having a urinalysis in a week and surely hope it worked and cleared up my urinary tract infection."

• suz...
• January 25, 2012

For Sinusitis "I took Bactrim DS after the first antibiotic didn't work on my sinus infection. I started to feel better after 4 days, however, I developed joint pain in my hands and knees. I have arthritis from an autoimmune disease, but it's usually controlled very well by a maintenance medicine. On day 8, I noted lots of swollen glands in my neck and a slight temp. After I took my antibiotic that night, my fever shot up to 103, I was shaking, teeth chattering, with severe joint/muscle pain, my face looked sunburned, and my body was red/blotchy. I stopped the Bactrim, but the fever lasted 2-3 days, the arthritis was severe for about a week, and I still have fatigue. Good news is the ENT did recheck, and the infection is gone."

• Lea...
• October 30, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "So, I wanted to review this drug because I've been on five antibiotic treatments within the last month and a half for the craziest UTI I've ever experienced in my life. Landed in the ER for fevers and pain, and the worst was the mental confusion. Anyways, during this time, I've been on IV antibiotics, Z-Pak, as well as Keflex, which gave me horrible anxiety and extreme photosensitivity. When I tried Levaquin, it sent me to the ER. Then finally Bactrim DS was prescribed. After taking it the first night, I did have some trouble sleeping, but after two doses of the medication, I did adjust. I have been taking probiotics with these meds. It's helped overall. Side effects I noted: vivid dreams, fatigue, and constipation were the main three."

• Tel...
• January 29, 2015

For Sinusitis "I took this for four and a half days. I experienced complete appetite loss, nausea, fatigue, abdominal pain, and anxiety. I had blood work done before I took the Bactrim, and when I got my results back, it turned out I didn't have a bacterial infection at all. All that for nothing. I still haven't completely recovered my appetite, and it has been almost a week since my last dose."

• TLM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Have had 6 UTIs over the course of 9 months. Took this medication once for the first one, knocked me on my rear, made me feel very sick, like the flu. It did clear it up. Then put on different antibiotics for the other UTIs, and the diarrhea it caused was unbearable. This time, had to go to the ER, a lot of blood in urine, was pretty sick. They gave me Bactrim and I'm taking it for 7 days, still have another 7 days. Makes me very tired, and my eyes have been very itchy and swollen. But it is clearing up the infection. Going to have to stop taking it, cannot stand the itchy eyes, fatigue, weakness, plus headache."

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

For Bacterial Skin Infection "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."

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

For Bacterial Skin Infection "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."

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

For Bacterial Skin Infection "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."

• Ean...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "Asked to be prescribed this because I was prescribed it a year and a half ago for a UTI and did not have any side effects. This time around, where I am only on day two and the symptoms of the UTI have, for the most part, cleared, I have experienced debilitating headaches, constant fatigue, and had some anxiety yesterday morning. Luckily, I have become better with reducing my anxiety, but it does not matter how much water or food I intake, the headaches are just lingering and hover only on one side of my head over my eye. I also experienced a period of nausea so far. I am supposed to be on this for another five days and am hoping I will only need to be on for another few instead. I don't think I can complete the prescription with the borderline migraines I have been getting."

• jpx...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2017

For Sinusitis "I was recently prescribed Bactrim DS for my chronic sinusitis by my ENT. I informed her that I had been prescribed Bactrim in the past, although I did not inform her that it was a lesser strength of the two, and after eight and a half days of taking two a day, I finally had to stop due to the side effects that were occurring. I took the first dosage and felt fatigued and slightly itchy. I reminded myself, though, that when I am overtired and restless, I tend to feel itchy, so I took a shower and slept for a while, and I was fine. The following few days, I had no problems besides light bloating and fatigue. I kept taking my medication as prescribed, and after the fifth day, I was having radiating pain around the left and right side of my sternum."

• Roo...
• November 5, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "57-year-old female. Feeling fine. Went to my annual physical. Urine sample showed high white blood count. (Sign of a UTI, never had one and had no symptoms. Dr. prescribed Bactrim DS for 7 days anyway. (After my symptoms began, I researched my high WBC in urine could be due to the start of menopause - no need for antibiotics there!!) I am a non-drinking vegan who drinks 32 oz of water per day. I initially had a little stomach gas, but on day 5 I had severe leg cramps, fatigue, headache, and a fever!! I stopped taking. Fever is gone. Headache comes and goes, but the leg cramps are still here on day 3 after stopping Bactrim! Is my liver damaged? This is a sign of cirrhosis! When will it stop?"

• wis...
• August 27, 2011

For Urinary Tract Infection "Bad adverse reactions: heart racing, low blood pressure, kidney and bladder pain, severe nausea, shaking so that I could not drive, fatigue, blurred vision. Rash came out after I went off the drug."

• hfr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2015

For Sinusitis "The pressure in my head is gone, but I have been getting extreme nausea and fatigue since I started it 5 days ago."