Bactrim DS and Rash: What Users Say

• Hil...
• July 1, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Have been struggling with UTIs despite my many and varied preventive measures. Had some backup Bactrim that I tried instead of the Augmentin I was prescribed. On both occasions, within a half hour, I was in massive extreme discomfort, my vagina was on fire. I assumed I had developed a curiously fast yeast infection and treated it that way but with little success. Having done some research, I now see it’s a less common but real side effect, similar to a swollen tongue or hives, the vagina is the area affected. Lesson learned, but terrible that this side effect isn’t mentioned more commonly, a nightmare."

• ric...
• November 8, 2017

For Prostatitis "Prescribed Bactrim for prostatitis. Was showing good improvement after 5 days. Day 9, big full-body hives developed and had to stop. Dr. thought I was allergic to the sulfa component of Bactrim, so he prescribed Trimethoprim (the other component in Bactrim) by itself a week later. After 1 pill, the hives started again... Was switched to Cipro with slight improvement and then to Doxycycline, which is significantly helping after 4 weeks. Going to continue it as long as I'm improving. 70% better now."

• 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."

• Itc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2020

For Bacterial Skin Infection "My doctor prescribed 10 days of Bactrim DS after he drained an abscess in my upper arm. It definitely worked to heal the infection, but with my last few doses, I broke out in hives and am itching all over my body. Use this with caution."

• hum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2019

For Prostatitis "Had TURP 17 years ago for prostate... not a great success. Recently had discomfort and some blood passing post-arousal. Not sure if prostatitis or UTI or both. Doc prescribed 10 days Bactrim 800 mg at 2 per day. All clear after 2 days, but some minor hives."

• Red...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was on Bactrim for 7 days for a UTI infection. It cleared it up and didn't seem to have many problems until the last one I took. I broke out in hives, itching everywhere, and I thought I was going to die. I still feel horrible from taking it, with a loss of appetite and anxiety. I will never take this again, as I am now allergic to it. It is now 7 days since I took it and I still feel awful."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2019

For Bacterial Skin Infection "This was my first time taking Bactrim because I’m allergic to penicillin. I had an infection in my big toe due to an ingrown toenail. I give three stars because it did work to clear up the infection. However, on day seven, I began having a severe reaction to the drug. Excruciating pain in my feet, knees, and hips, combined with head-to-toe rash and itching. I took Benadryl and prednisone, and it still took several days to go away. The stuff is horrible. The pain in my joints and lower leg bones was unbearable. Never again."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• June 2, 2011

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim 2x a day for 30 days for a Staph infection. However, after taking it for about 7 days, I developed a rash. The rash did not itch but started at my shoulders and went down to my legs. I've now begun taking Benadryl to counteract symptoms. So far, it hasn't helped, the rash is still there. As far as the Staph infection, it looks a lot better."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• August 12, 2009

For Bacterial Infection "I had possible strep throat. First day I took it, my fever rose to over 102. I was shaking, chills, rash. My blood pressure (and I have high blood pressure) was 100/55, and my pulse was 50. I was not feeling well at all. I called the doctor the next morning, and he switched me to Amoxicillin. I hope it works better. Now I have an under-the-skin rash all over and am itching. Guess I am allergic to this one."

• 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."

• 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."

• JTb...
• March 12, 2015

For Prostatitis "After 3 1/2 weeks, I developed a skin rash, which started itching horribly. The rash and itching continued for two weeks (13 days) after stopping the medication. Apparently, sulfa allergies are fairly common. Benadryl helped the itching a bit."

• Ale...
• February 15, 2018

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Absolutely the worst medication I've ever been on, and I've been on a lot. If an alternative is offered, take the alternative. Intense thirst, super awful anxiety (borderline paranoia), stomachaches and heartburn out the wazoo, night sweats, rash, dizziness, joint pain, loss of appetite were my symptoms (amongst others). Doc switched me to clindamycin. Not a single side effect! Symptoms gradually got better after dropping Bactrim."

• Ssa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Took four pills out of six Bactrim that I was prescribed for my UTI. It took a while before the side effects kicked in. I got a rash around my neck, down my back, and down my chest, red splotches under my tongue, a terrible sore throat, neck stiffness, skipped heartbeats, blisters on my lips, tenderness on hands and feet, which turned into tiny blisters on hands and feet, and a few others on legs, arms, and ears. Also, very thirsty. In one day, I drank 40 oz of water and never felt the need to pee. After 80 oz, I still had cotton mouth and peed only twice, had dark urine."

• Cec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2020

For Bacterial Skin Infection "My teen daughter was given a 10-day course of Bactrim (and Keflex) for an infected bug bite, even though she isn’t allergic to penicillin. It seemed to work until day 6, she had a mild fever and rash. Then on day 8, her face was covered with a rash, and within half an hour of the first rash, her whole face ballooned, and her lips, throat, and nose were in pain. We rushed to the ER, and she had Benadryl in IV. It was scary, and so I wondered why the doctor prescribed it if the majority of users have had terrible experiences with it (the ER doctor immediately recognized my daughter’s allergic reaction to Bactrim, so it must have been quite a common thing!). I will make sure we will never have this again!"

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2019

For Prostatitis "Took Bactrim for 2 weeks and flu-like symptoms the entire time. Eventually broke out in hives after 2 weeks and was told I was allergic. BUT my prostate swelling is down, and I feel better. So it put me through the mill, but it took care of the underlying issue. I’ve been itching for 4 days after taking my last pill. Hope to be itch-free soon."

• 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."

• CBL...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2014

For Prostatitis "Bactrim cured my prostatitis within two weeks, however, I had to stop taking it earlier than prescribed because I discovered I was allergic. I noticed flu-like symptoms, including chills, fever, and horrible muscle aches. On top of that, I developed a head-to-toe rash that itched like crazy. Imagine being sore and itchy at the same time. Luckily, all of this subsided within a few days of quitting Bactrim. Since the antibiotic kills bacteria everywhere, I noticed I had flawless skin for about a week. But that didn't last. The bacteria came back with a vengeance, and I developed the worst acne of my life. I'm now taking doxycycline and using expensive creams to combat this. It's been two months since I stopped Bactrim, and I am still breaking out!"

• Apr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was given Bactrim DS twice a day for 5 days for what they thought was a UTI. I took it for 2.5 days, until they pulled me off of it because I ended up not having a UTI. I didn't have any side effects during the time I was on it, a slight dull headache in the afternoon. I ate with it and drank lots of water. I was warned by the pharmacist you can develop a rash; I don't believe this would have occurred for me."

• Sca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2017

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim DS 800 mg for 10 days after I had an infected abscess on my outer labia. I had incision/drainage and tested negative for herpes simplex, CT+NG DNA, MRSA, and staph. I went 8 days and noticed minor hand shakiness, a sunburn-like itch/sting on my neck and collarbone, and some right abdominal pain, but didn’t think much of it. Day 9 happened, and I woke up with a minor but expanding rash on my chest, neck, torso, arms, and legs. I went to the ER, and they said Bactrim allergic reaction, prescribed methylprednisolone steroid, and Hydroxyzine. 48 hours since the last dose of Bactrim, lips are still dry, cracked, and I woke up with a minor flat blood blister on the inside of my bottom lip. Is this still affecting me??"

• Anonymous
• March 18, 2011

For Urinary Tract Infection "Have a persistent urinary tract infection and took this medication about four weeks ago. The urinary tract infection came back, so a second go-around. This time, after one pill, I had a hefty case of hives and a very sore tongue and headache for about two days."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed this medication for a post-op infection. Within 12 hours of starting the medication, I developed a fever and rash. I continued taking the medication for 4 more days, as I did not realize it was an allergic reaction. Within the next 4 days, I developed a severe headache, vomiting, my fingers went numb, severe eye redness, severe weakness to the point I had trouble walking, and decreased urination. My doctor immediately took me off the medication and had blood work done. My liver enzymes were sky-high. The symptoms stopped as soon as the medication was discontinued, but it took about 6 months to get feeling back in my fingers."

• Jak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2020

For Sinusitis "Don’t do it!!! I was feeling okay before taking it. Heck, I was running 2 miles a day before. No issues with other than my sinus being inflamed and closed. On day 2, I started getting nauseated. Day 3, 4, and 6, I went to the ER. Dire pain, blood in urine. Chest pain that prevented sleeping, radiating to my back. Bloating, gas, regurgitation, constipation. But worst of all, I couldn’t eat. I got really weak and honestly didn’t think I was going to make it. I spent days in bed not moving due to the pain. I got a small rash day 5 on my arms. On day 6 of 14, I stopped the medication. Symptoms improved almost immediately. Still have chest pain but getting better."