Bactrim DS and Insomnia: What Users Say

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

For Bacterial Infection "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."

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

For Bacterial Infection "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."

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2019

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Bactrim just about killed me. The worst medicine ever. It cleared up my skin infection from a bug bite after two days of taking it, but I had to stop it immediately after being hospitalized from severe insomnia, horrible anxiety, body aches, heart palpitations, the list goes on. I would never take this again. Although it did its job, it also has made my life a nightmare. It has been a week since I stopped taking it, and I still feel terrible. Please think twice about taking this."

• Gil...
• August 25, 2019

For Kidney Infections "(18 yr/o female) I was prescribed this medication after winding up at the emergency room with extreme pain in my right side. After further investigation, it turned out to be a kidney cyst that had become severely infected and was getting bled into. I was more than willing to start the medication. I had currently been at Mayo Clinic getting tests done for severe stomach nausea and pain. Yet on the third day of this antibiotic, I was miserable. I figured it was my previous stomach issues, yet it got worse and worse. I spent day 3 by the toilet, thinking I was going to be sick with a low fever. After that, I lost my appetite completely and had this awful twisting spasm start in my upper gut. This spiraled into severe depression, anxiety, and not being able to sleep at night. It has kicked my cyst (hopefully), but I am on day 7 after being prescribed for 14 days, and I don't know how much more I can take. Good luck to anyone who can brave this medicine."

• Lu1...
• May 30, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "I had a UTI, finished an entire prescription of Macrobid. I noticed as soon as I finished the meds, my UTI symptoms came back - so it didn't work for me. I then tried Bactrim. The pain went away after 1.5 days of being on Bactrim, which was a huge relief, but it is now day 4 and I am suffering from nausea, cold sweats, chills, insomnia, and anxiety. It works for your UTI, but the side effects are unbearable after a few days."

• Hhh...
• November 15, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "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
• 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."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2012

For Acne "I have been taking this medicine for a week, and my pimples are significantly smaller, which is a plus because I've had severe acne for 3 years now. The only problem is that it gives me insomnia, sweats, headaches in the mornings, stomach sickness, and nausea. The side effects are brutal, and I'm considering finding another solution. This is the third acne medicine I've tried and has helped the most, but also affected me the most negatively."

• Rho...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "Started this med yesterday for the first time. Immediately noticed how strong it is! Prevented vomiting by only taking on a full stomach. Drinking a lot of water will help with the headaches, as dehydration will cause this too. I don't recommend taking too late at night because of insomnia."

• Tis...
• July 20, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "1. Don't drink alcohol with Bactrim. 2. Eat a half hour before you take the pill. 3. Drink plenty of water with it. 4. Take an anti-gas pill if needed. About 30 minutes after the first dose, my scalp was tingly and warm, like a cap was squeezing my head. Used an ice pack, repeated a few hours later; it helped. (Worried about hives.) Stomach mildly upset. Insomnia. First pill with lots of water at 1 p.m.; ate 20 minutes later. Second dose, ate a slice of bread with the pill. Had severe gas (some trapped), burping; hours later took a gas pill. (Really, don't wait like I did!) Next morning, still felt sick. Mildly short of breath overnight and part of the morning; unsure if med-caused or just stress from being over-tired. I take a 24-hour Claritin, also had 12-hour Sudafed in my system when I started Bactrim. Severely stuffed-up nose after Sudafed wore off; new pill took hours to work. Bactrim relieved UTI symptoms within hours. Before prescribing, the doctor cultured to find specific bacteria and its drug susceptibilities."

• 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."

• Smi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2018

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Eczema on fingers of both hands became infected after several months of me failing to control the eczema on my own. Doc prescribed Bactrim DS twice a day for ten days. Worked very quickly, and my fingers looked 90% healed after two days, but unfortunately, I had to discontinue Bactrim after I had severe anxiety, insomnia, severe tension headaches, hand trembling, neck muscle soreness, and heart palpitations. I made it 4 days before I decided to switch to something else. Had side effects not been as severe, this would have been a 10/10 for me for how quickly it fixed my skin. No diarrhea, nausea, or GI issues for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2022

For Prostatitis "I took Bactrim DS 960 mg for suspected acute prostatitis. I was told to take it for 28 days (56 pills). Within two days, and increasing each day, I experienced extreme anxiety, depression, unending panic, insomnia (I didn’t sleep for three days), chills, hot flashes, mild fever, genital pain, out-of-body experience, and other severe negative symptoms. Eventually, I connected the symptoms to Bactrim, stopped the pill, and saw immediate improvement after 24 hours—not full, but much better. Later I was fine. This drug was a terrible experience; I would never take it again for any reason."

• 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."

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "The first day, I experienced some nausea. Now? I have a sore in my mouth that popped up out of nowhere, and one side of my bottom lip is swollen. I'm so sick that I can't eat anything and have zero appetite. I keep getting the shakes and chills that weren't there before starting it. I suffer from anxiety, and anxiety is a common side effect of this medication - so now my anxiety is through the roof, and it's also caused severe insomnia. I'm constipated, have terrible muscle spasms and cramps in my legs. I've never had an issue with a sulfa drug before, but after this, I will definitely not take one ever again. It's not worth the side effects/allergic reaction."

• Con...
• February 3, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "I would not recommend this to anyone. I have had bleeding in my urine for over two weeks, and the doctors associated it with a UTI. After being given Macrobid, and symptoms persisting, they gave me Septa. I took it for two days, twice a day with food, was fine. On the third day, not so much. I began shaking uncontrollably, dry mouth, I was incoherent to the point I couldn't even understand what people were saying to me, my heart was racing, I was dizzy, and extremely nauseous. It literally felt like I had been roofied (drugged up). I don't even remember half the night, and I had horrible insomnia. I don't even understand how this is on the market. Would never ever take this again."

• Anonymous
• August 25, 2010

For Urinary Tract Infection "Taking Bactrim for urinary tract infection, can't sleep, stomach on fire, after the first pill I felt like I was tripping on acid. On day three now and back hurts. Looks like I get to miss another day of work and go back to the doctor."

• 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."

• Ami...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Bactrim didn’t really work for me, it stopped the blood in my urine, but I don’t feel like it killed the infection (E. coli) because I still go pee a lot, especially during the night (which makes me sleep only about 3 hours), and it takes me about 10+ seconds to start. The only side effects I experienced were nausea, insomnia, and headaches. Wouldn’t recommend this drug."

• 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."

• Sun...
• May 26, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "Bactrim did help my infection pretty quickly. However, it is one month since I took the last dose, and I still have major insomnia. Some nights I don't sleep at all, others just a few hours. I would never take this drug again, ever!!!"

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "This is not my first round of Bactrim. I have chronic UTIs, and I've taken this a half dozen times in the last two years. This time I got a side effect I've never had before: insomnia. I am so awake and have been for three days now. Yes, it does clear the infection for me. I do get the upset tummy, which is very common."

• Anonymous
• July 29, 2020

For Acne "I was prescribed Bactrim by my dermatologist for my acne, and I must say it was the worst experience. At first, I ignored the side effects, but I initially experienced loss of appetite, night sweats, shivers, and had trouble falling asleep. After one week of taking it, I experienced joint and muscle pain, which is ultimately the reason I stopped taking it. Such horrible side effects."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "I've been on it for 3 out of 7 days, and these are my side effects: itchy skin, migraines, joint pain, muscle pain, horrible neck pain, nausea, eye irritation, pinpoint red spots on skin, trouble sleeping, random bruising, vaginal itching, swollen glands. I've been taking leftover prescription ibuprofen to tackle the joint, muscle, and head pains, but if it wears off, I am writhing in pain. This medication, though it seems to be working on the UTI, has given me so many torturous side effects, I will never use it again. As an aside, I am allergic to amoxicillin. Obviously, talk to your doctor about meds, but I'd personally suggest being cautious about getting this med prescribed to you if you've never taken it."