Bactrim DS and Nausea: What Users Say

• Par...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2019

For Sinusitis "Like many others, I read review after review on here of negative experiences, making myself terrified of taking this drug. As someone who is so worried about throwing up that I carry anti-nausea medication with me everywhere I go, I was very reluctant to begin 6 weeks of Bactrim after reading all of these reviews. Fortunately, I experienced no major side effects and it seems to be helping with the infection. Some very mild nausea at first that was likely anxiety-induced, and acid reflux which is common with all antibiotics. Yogurt and a probiotic daily helps with this. Anyway, I promised myself that I would write a positive review if I ended up having a positive experience, so here it is. If you're worried like I was, remember that people are way more inclined to post drug reviews online when they have negative experiences, than normal or positive ones. The vast majority of people taking Bactrim feel absolutely fine, and keeping this in mind may help ease your fears as well."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• She...
• August 13, 2016

For Bacterial Skin Infection "This is my third different antibiotic for a deep leg wound that was surgically debrided 4 weeks ago. I have taken Bactrim DS many times before for bladder infections with few side effects. This time I want to die. I ache all over. I am nauseated and haven't eaten anything except a few oranges for 4 days. I am drinking ginger ale and water. I can barely walk because of weakness. My cat even walks ahead of me and stops to look back at me every few steps instead of us racing. Lest anyone suggest I do not know how to take this med, I am a Registered Nurse, and there is no need to question my proper dosing regimen. If it weren't for the fact that I want to keep my lower leg and foot, I would toss this medicine in the trash."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2012

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have been on Bactrim DS for 7 days. After day 3, I began to notice a severe headache about 4 hours after taking the Bactrim. Now on day 7, I have not only had a headache, but light-headedness/nausea. With only 3 days left, I am going to continue the medicine. My urinary tract infection symptoms have improved finally after 5 days."

• Lil...
• July 29, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "This is my 2nd time on Bactrim. I contracted MRSA after my c-section, and although it does the job it’s prescribed to do, I have never felt so lethargic, nauseous, and just extremely sleepy. The nausea comes in waves all day long, and I can hardly stay awake. I couldn’t figure out what was going on with me until I thought, I bet it’s my antibiotic! Bactrim does the healing of staph infections, but it wreaks havoc on your body as well."

• Poo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "Took Bactrim for a UTI for 7 days. On the 6th day, had chills and body aches. Literally could not get off the couch. Went to the doctor and was negative for the flu, and the UTI was gone. Got worse (headache, severe body aches, nausea, diarrhea, no appetite-honestly the worst I've EVER felt) and ended up in the ER for fluids. Stopped taking it 2 days ago and am still feeling effects. Be careful-wished I had stopped taking it at the first sign of stomach discomfort. Glad it's a reliable drug for some, but for me, it was horrid."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Can’t sleep for more than 2 to 3 hours at a time, even after taking melatonin. Pretty severe nausea and even worse restlessness. Seems to be working for the UTI, but at the cost of side effects, which are leaving me exhausted and bedridden with no energy."

• Msa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was authorized to take Bactrim, 2 pills a day for 5 days, to cure my UTI. This, by far, has been the worst side effects I’ve ever experienced while taking antibiotics. I did eat right before taking the pills, and I got terrible nausea, light-headed spells, and muscle cramps. I drank plenty of water to help dissolve the meds, that was all that seemed to subside, if for a little while."

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "This is my first time commenting on any medicine. Anyway, I almost didn't even take this medicine because of all the bad reviews, but thank God I did!!! Please don't let these negative comments stop you from taking this medicine. The ONLY side effect I currently have is a bit of nausea, and that's only because I do not eat much as I am on a calorie-restricted diet. Maybe these people are having bad reactions because of an allergy to sulfa drugs, or it is just the symptoms of the really bad UTI. IDK... I'm on these pills and have 1 more day left, and it has brought my kidney pain down tremendously. I usually react badly to antibiotics, but not these, so thumbs up!"

• 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."

• Lnn...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 30, 2014

For Acne "I had mild to severe back acne with constant breakouts on my chest and face. My dermatologist prescribed me this specifically for my back acne, but thank goodness it cleared up my face and chest! Before, on a scale of 1-10, my face and chest were around a 7, but after being on the medication, it's now a 1. My face/chest is now flawless, and my back is now only left with scars. My back acne was extremely terrible, but after using the medication for a few months, it stopped the breakouts and gave time for my skin to heal. I've used this medication for a little over one year now, and I do admit you have to be patient with the medicine. As long as you don't pick and touch your problem spots, then it should work nicely. I experienced nausea every morning when I take the medication and a loss in appetite, but it's not that bad."