Bactrim DS and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Dre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim for my UTI, 2 times a day for 3 days. The first day I have a lot of confusion. By the second day, I was having horrible headaches, loss of appetite, and a stiff neck. Now I’m terrified to take my last dose tonight. To my knowledge, it appears the medication is working, however, I don’t intend to ever take it again. I hope the side effects will stop once I finish my dosage. I would look around before trying this one."

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2017

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I have been taking Bactrim DS for an infection in my toe from a pedicure. It's been 4 days of not feeling human. I'm terribly exhausted. It feels like trying to stay awake after taking NyQuil. After day 2, I started getting bad headaches. I'm only on it for seven days, so I'm going to suffer through it, but the side effects are almost unbearable."

• Ano...
• December 27, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "Was on Cipro for a week but no relief, so my doctor switched me to this drug. Felt relief within 72 hours. I had extreme nausea and a headache the first day I took this drug, but then I started to take it with meals, and I haven't had those side effects."

• MDP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "Took Bactrim DS for a UTI, two doses daily for three days. Did the trick. No major side effects, maybe a slight headache and a little lightheaded a couple of times. However, not awful and most likely from my sinuses. I am normally sensitive to meds and was afraid after reviews, but no problems. I would take it again."

• Ado...
• November 13, 2015

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I was diagnosed with a MRSA impetigo skin infection and was prescribed the Bactrim DS as well as Bactroban ointment, therefore, I cannot know which helped the most, but it did work 95%. I still have a pink area, and the original cut that started this all is still slightly visible. This oral med made me feel horrible. Every day, after the third day, I was nauseous about an hour after taking it, and several times had to take Zofran 8 mg, which did help. My stomach was a roller coaster, and the headaches were really bad. I have daily chronic headache, which is daily migraines. But I get C spine nerve ablations, which allows me to be 90% migraine-free for about 1 year. During the 10 days, the migraines came back and with a vengeance. Glad to be done."

• S S...
• April 12, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "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."

• Nic...
• September 1, 2015

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Not sure that the medication did much, as my abscess burst the night I started the antibiotics. All I know is that by the 3rd and 4th day of antibiotics, I was feeling generally unwell, had a headache, and awful nausea."

• Hsh...
• November 24, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "I'm currently taking Bactrim for a UTI. It relieved my symptoms rather quickly, however, the side effects are really bothering me. I've had the most painful migraines since taking it yesterday. I also have the chills and slight nausea. I won't take this medicine ever again once I finish it. The constant painful headaches are not worth it."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 3, 2015

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I have been having skin infections on my breasts off and on for 6 years. Ever since I developed mastitis when I was breastfeeding. I've been given Bactrim DS each time and advised to use Neosporin cream, not ointment. I'm not sure if it works all that great. It does take care of the red, rashy-looking inflammation surrounding the 'boil'/'blister', but does not seem to even really touch the actual blister itself. Without medication, it will take 3 - 4 weeks or so to heal, with meds it takes 2 weeks. I think it has a lot to do with the healing of the red rash part... so I continue to take it. The only side effect I have noticed is an almost unquenchable thirst. But no nausea, insomnia, or headaches for me."

• flo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I did experience some of the side effects associated with this medication: headaches and asthma flare-up (manageable). The benefit of the antibiotic far outweighs the side effects of the medication. I would definitely use it again if ever prescribed."

• cri...
• April 30, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "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."

• Raj...
• January 2, 2018

For Kidney Infections "I always get digestive issues (severe nausea, diarrhea, gas, upset stomach) from antibiotics. I hadn't taken Bactrim before. For me, the side effects have been very minimal. I eat a serving of carbs about 10 minutes before taking it (bread, pasta, or a banana) and then drink a large glass of water with it, and have made sure to drink a lot of water generally. I'm also taking a probiotic midday. The side effects I've had are being more tired than usual, low appetite, and a bit of a dull headache for a couple of days. After the initial dose, I had intense nausea, but I had not eaten. I have one day remaining of the 7-day course. After one day on Bactrim, my infection symptoms went away. I'll need a follow-up, but so far, yay Bactrim!!"

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "I just took one 160 mg tab of Bactrim. This is the worst pill in history. I got a rash, headache, neck and back pain. Sore throat, bad. My whole body, muscles, and joints are in so much pain. Nausea. My husband has to get me food, put me in the tub to take a hot bath. I feel so weak, OMG. Fever of 101.5, which goes up and down still. Chills and lightheaded. The next day, I still have those symptoms. Gonna call my doc on Monday to give me a different pill. If there was a 0 rating, that's what I would give. Thought I was gonna die."

• who...
• March 30, 2014

For Bronchitis "Felt so sick to my stomach, laid in bed for 2 weeks. I experienced bloating, nausea, couldn't eat. Cramping was serious, I suffered from chills, fever, aches, and pains. Headache was also present, made me feel lightheaded also. Couldn't function."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2015

For Sinusitis "Took medication with the warning that it needed to be taken with 'plenty of water.' Woke up in the middle of the night with a severe headache and went back to sleep. Woke up in the morning for work and had debilitating nausea. I really hope this is just a temporary thing and I don't have to do this every time I take it."

• BAa...
• June 8, 2016

For Acne "The dermatologist put me on Bactrim DS, to be taken twice a day with food. No side effects in the first few days and did a good job at clearing up my face. Currently, I am on the 9th day and experiencing severe side effects. Fever, chills, extreme joint pain, muscle weakness, and overall sluggishness. Also experiencing difficulty breathing, a tight chest, headache, and dizziness to the point of almost falling over, for no reason. The most severe of the side effects is the joint pain. Can hardly take a step on my right leg and cannot lift anything with my right arm. Bactrim does its job, however, at the expense of your health. Please do your research before starting this drug!"

• Hel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took one pill in the evening and another the following morning. I developed extreme stomach pain by noon, which moved to my back, followed by an excruciating headache. I was nauseous but sipped tiny amounts of water to prevent dehydration. I was very weak for two days, my hands trembled. Horrible experience."

• e6a...
• November 29, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "Only took the medication for 5 days, had read about it online after being prescribed it and got really worried at all the awful side effects. I experienced nausea and headaches and slight itchiness while on it and was glad to finally get off of it. It is my 3rd day off of it and the itching has gotten worse and all over now. I only have a few tiny reddish bumps, though, and I am experiencing anxiety on and off randomly and just feel weird and have also caught a cold (sore throat/cough). Will never take this medication ever again and I severely advise against it."

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

For Bacterial Skin Infection "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."

• Mre...
• September 12, 2015

For Sinusitis "Started meds on Monday. My arms and legs hurt terribly Tuesday and Wednesday. The headache has been the worst I have ever had. Chills, sweating, nausea, impaired vision, insomnia. I called the doctor's office Wednesday afternoon, and the nurse told me to give it a few more days. Went to a different doctor on Saturday, and he said Bactrim is notorious for headaches and other adverse effects. Off of it now and have to wait 24 hours before I can start a new antibiotic. I'm praying this headache ends soon."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "Please remember when reading reviews, people seldom come back to review if their experience was good. I would like to ease some people's minds. Of course, everyone’s body is different, but Bactrim DS 800/160 is my favorite UTI medication. I have minimal side effects. I take each pill with food and a full bottle of water. I experience headaches, and that’s about it. Occasionally, I will feel kind of just 'off.' But nothing crazy. I'd take the side effects versus a UTI any day. Please at least give it a try and remember that anxiety can cause side effects itself. I also get nervous when trying a medication. However, a UTI can’t go untreated. Wishing you all the best."

• Peg...
• November 17, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "NP prescribed Bactrim because I had back-to-back UTIs. Unfortunately, I have an extremely severe allergy to Bactrim that I was not aware of. However, this allergy did not show symptoms until I had been taking it for 6 days. I went to the ER because I was developing a red rash and my throat and tongue were swelling up. The ER doctor turned me away because he thought I had a viral infection. He gave me a Tylenol and sent me home. I ended up going back later that night because I had developed a high fever, headache, and my WBC counts were very low. I saw 10+ different doctors before they could decide if it was actually an allergy. They had to keep me for observation because they were afraid the drug was affecting my internal organs. Did it clear up the UTI? Yes. But if you can avoid the drug, I would suggest you do. If you think you are having an allergic reaction to any drug, please don't let the doctors dismiss you! I didn't trust my gut and I just got sicker because of it."

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

For Bacterial Skin Infection "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."

• Syd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2019

For Sinusitis "This is horrible medication! I was on Bactrim for only 3 days for sinusitis, then on day 4, I had hives and my face was burning from the inside out but no fever. Went off it. Then day 5, 6, and on 7 now, and my jaw aches and my face feels like it’s going to implode. Strangest feeling. I’m dizzy, have a headache, but the facial tightening and burning are making me crazy. This stuff is scary, and I have no idea when it’s going to stop. Never again."

• Lul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was diagnosed on a Tuesday with a UTI. Prescribed Bactrim. As of Thursday, I felt great. But Friday, not so much. I had a bad headache, and my throat began to feel sore. I continued taking the Bactrim. It's now Sunday night, and I feel unbelievably bad. My throat feels like it did when I had tonsillitis, my head feels like it weighs 600 lbs., and my energy is flu-like. I called my doc on call and wait to hear about next steps, but after seeing all the other people who've gone through hell with it, I WILL NOT TAKE ANY MORE OF THIS DRUG. BE WARNED!!!!!"