Bactrim and Chills: What Users Say

• Vga...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Had not read side effects, so did not realize what I felt was caused by the med. My first day on Bactrim, I had side effects of feeling achy and depressed. By day 3, I was shaking, shivering, anxious, and insomnia. By day 5, nausea, dizziness, 100 heart rate, very low blood pressure, extreme anxiety. Pain everywhere, pain in my kidneys, very dehydrated, painful muscle spasms. Day 6, was going to go to the emergency room when I realized it could be the Bactrim and read side effects. Find it difficult to believe a doctor would give this to anyone. It was horrible."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "This drug is terrible! Run if the doctor prescribes this. Day 1, I had a headache and aches to my kidneys. Like I could literally feel the pain in my kidneys! I felt bloated, vomiting, fever of 101, pain in my kidneys, jittery, and chills. Please, please don't take it. The ratio of the ones that had no symptoms to the ones who did is a big difference! I took it for 2 days, then threw the rest down the toilet. The ONLY good thing was I took 1 dose, and the next day felt relief... but still... eff this stuff!"

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2017

For Kidney Infections "I was a bit of a moron and let a UTI go for too long. I had pain on and off for a few months in my back. Pee was cloudy, frequent urination... all that good stuff, but two days ago, I woke up and felt absolutely terrible. I was so nauseous, couldn’t eat anything, awful headache, chills, and the worst back pain I had ever felt. I went to the doctor, and she wrote this for me. I took two pills yesterday, and already today I feel a hundred times better. I don’t believe it is for everyone, obviously, due to the mixed reviews, and my mother had taken it before, and it had awful effects on her as well, but I do believe it’s worth trying because for me, it’s been wonderful. I couldn’t even bend over yesterday, and today all I have is slight dull pain in my back. Worked perfectly."

• Tld...
• February 27, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "Day 1: Prescribed 1 pill twice a day for 7 days. The medication seemed to be working, and I was urinating like normal. Day 2: That night, I ended up experiencing terrible pain on the inside and outside of my vagina, such as burning, itching, redness, and swelling. I thought it could be a reaction, but I wasn’t sure. Day 3: That morning, I ended up experiencing the same terrible pain, but it was more severe. At this point, I could hardly move, sit, or stand without it hurting. It felt like ulcers on the inside and outside of my vagina due to the terrible burning sensation. That night, the pain got even worse. I ended up having chills and body aches, possibly a low-grade fever. Day 4: I stopped taking the medication. I decided that this medication is not worth the symptoms and advised my doctor that I would not be continuing the medication. If I could rate my symptoms on a scale from 1-10, I would rate it at a 15. I will NEVER take this medication again."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2018

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I'm thinking some of the side effects commented were possibly results of the condition and not the medication. I have MRSA. Of course, I have chills because the abscess is a massive infection. One person mentioned organ failure. MRSA entering the bloodstream would do that too. So far, so good here - still early on. I was on clindamycin for a tooth abscess. I must have been unknowingly treating a mild staph infection. When the clindamycin stopped, the bacteria became aggressive. Now here I am on Bactrim. One sore has lightened in color and pressure within 24 hours. The other sores still hurt, so I took ibuprofen. You won't get headaches if taken with a pain/fever reducer. The clindamycin wrecked my gut, but I actually haven't had a hard time with the Bactrim. I've been sure to eat something or drink a glass of milk before taking it."

• Bre...
• August 16, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I called the doctors due to weird symptoms after my 5th day of taking this medication. This concludes (chills, nauseous, diarrhea, headache, and even numbness throughout my entire face, lips, and mouth, and the shakes). The pain I get from my UTIs (burning sensation, hard to pee, and hurts). I felt like Bactrim made my pains worse, the burning was 100x worse! I felt as if I was dying!!!! I even had severe insomnia up until 6-7 am! Called the doctors and they said I should have called when the headaches and shakes came along! Cut me off it immediately and prescribed me Macrobid instead. Hope it helps!!"

• jro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "Never again! I was put on this for 3 days-2 pills a day for a UTI. I was laid up in bed for 4 days. I was extremely nauseous, chills, sweats, headache, dizzy, couldn’t eat a single thing, and after day 2, I got a SEVERE yeast infection. The pain was unlike anything that has ever happened to me. I took 2 trips to the doctor and over a week to feel somewhat normal again down there. This was way too strong and unnecessary for a simple UTI infection. Never will I ever take this again. I wish I could give it a zero, I am still having nightmares about this drug."

• Bac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2020

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Prescribe Bactrim 2 days for 10 days for a stye. On the 7th day, I had my allergic reaction. All-over body rash, fever, chills, severe leg pain, chemical burns/ulcers in all soft tissue areas (nose, eyes, mouth, and 'down below'...), abdominal pain, diarrhea, zero appetite, headache, nausea, elevated kidney function test. Bactrim is known and has a long history of hurting more than helping. Stay away!!"

• Anonymous
• June 8, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "My experience was horrible! Prescribed 2 pills a day for 3 days. After the last pill, I started feeling strange and had severe headaches from the time I started taking it until a week later. I didn't think much of it until I went home from work and didn't leave the couch. I had no appetite, constipated, sweating and chills. I wanted to puke, my eyes hurt so bad. Couldn't shake whatever was going on and drank as much water as possible. My body was sore, I slept almost an entire weekend away. I can't tell if my UTI is completely gone or not because I'm still constipated and it hurts! I've never had an antibiotic like this, and I never want it again! All my doc told me was to keep pushing fluids and eat yogurt. Good luck, people."

• Jan...
• May 10, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Took Bactrim for a UTI. I had never taken it before. At day 3, I started feeling horrible, short of breath, and intense stomach pain. I had never had a UTI before, so I assumed this might be just a bad UTI. Day 6, I was shaking with chills and could not pee AT ALL. Went to the ER, I had a fever, high eosinophils, and a very elevated creatinine. Turns out I had an acute kidney injury from Bactrim. I was given fluids, and I woke up the next morning covered in the most painful drug rash. That rash lasted two weeks. Not to mention, I was put on prednisone for the rash and because I had interstitial nephritis. The prednisone drove me out of my mind. Awful experience."

• Fel...
• December 12, 2009

For Bacterial Infection "I was on Bactrim for 10 days because of a Bartholin cyst that tested positive for MRSA. On the 7th day, I started experiencing back pain, intermittent low-grade fevers, chills, complete fatigue, and eyeball pain. An I.D. doctor wanted me to take it for another 7 days as a precaution, but I had to force him to listen to my symptoms, and he told me to stop taking the Bactrim. Also, don't know if it matters that I'm not of 'normal' weight for most women, at 5'5", I'm 109 lbs - the symptoms I experienced were also listed as possible 'overdose'... stopped Bactrim today - feel terrible."

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim for a very painful UTI that I could not flush out naturally with water and cranberry. My UTI pain subsided after about 5 hours of the first dose of Bactrim, which is great. However, the side effects are not so pleasant. I have had chills, mild diarrhea, vivid nightmares/dreams, and extreme migraines. I am on day 3 of a 7-day prescription, but I am contemplating stopping after day 4 or 5 if the side effects continue. The side effects are still not as bad as the UTI pain!"

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "Was prescribed Bactrim by a walk-in clinic. Should've known better. After 2 days, I experienced some awful side effects - chills, fevers, night sweats, insomnia, diarrhea, and migraines - for three days. I thought I was going to die. After I finished my prescription, I got this terrible head-to-toe rash that itches like crazy. My UTI is gone, but it was not worth the rash and three days of near death. Does anyone know what I can do for this rash?"

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2020

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Had an abscess removed and was prescribed Bactrim. Could not stay awake and got more sick every time I took it. Had most of the symptoms they say to contact your doctor about. Called and was told unless I had a rash, there was no reason not to keep taking it. I could not function, had an extreme migraine, which I have never had before (sensitivity to light and sound). Upset stomach, trouble passing urine, leg pain, chills, fever, among others."

• Cas...
• August 9, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim for a UTI, and after one dose, I immediately developed a splitting headache, followed later by weakness, body aches, chills, fever, slight nausea, cough, and sore throat. I feel as if I have the flu. I suppose the medication did do what it was supposed to do because the UTI feels as if it's almost completely gone (I'm sure it isn't, but at least it doesn't hurt). I will say I don't think the side effects are worth it. I'm in a lot of pain and discomfort, and I think I'll be going to the emergency room just to be on the safe side."

• Whi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "I had a bacterial infection and feeling ill, and the doctor prescribed Bactrim. I didn't think it was helping as my illness took a turn for the worst. I had fever, chills, muscle weakness and pain, stomach pain, and I couldn't get out of bed. I'd start to feel better after a few hours and thought it was finally working. Nope. I took my next dose of Bactrim and all the symptoms came back full strength, and I was severely ill again. I finally linked it to Bactrim and stopped taking it. My symptoms cleared up over the course of a few days. I learned my grandmother and mother have a severe sulfa allergy, and I found out the hard way I do too. Words just don't describe how sick I was on this medication."

• Jol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "I had the worst experience with Bactrim. The first day, I had a 101.8 fever, chills, uncontrollable shaking, anxiety, rash, and fast heartbeat. The next day, I was extremely achy, nauseous, and could not eat anything the whole day. I stopped taking it after the second day, and my symptoms are getting better after a day, but I still feel cruddy and have a bad headache."

• Hal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed this medication for a UTI. After 1 pill, I woke up feeling nauseous, nonstop vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, headaches, insomnia, dizziness, weakness, loss of appetite, fever, chills. I am currently on day 3 and will not be taking this anymore. I have zero improvements, which is to be expected after only 3 days. I was told to take 2 pills daily for 10 days. I can’t take the extreme side effects, and I don’t see why a doctor would prescribe this, with this many horrible side effects. I thought I had a stomach bug or food poisoning until I decided to look up the side effects and realized it’s the medicine. My kind was 800/160MG TB. I don’t recommend."

• Cry...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2019

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I had an inflamed bug bite on my leg and was prescribed Bactrim. I ate and took the first and only dose that night at around 8 pm. Around 3ish in the morning, my head was throbbing, I was insanely warm with a 102-degree fever, meanwhile having chills at the same time. What bothered me the most is my hands swelled, were red, and I had intense itching. I'm still experiencing these symptoms, so I don't know when they will stop."

• ind...
• February 7, 2011

For Urinary Tract Infection "Today was the first day I took this medication. Two hours after, I experienced joint pain, blurred vision, back pain, a headache, chills, fever, nausea, cough, and sore throat. This was in addition to my already severe urinary tract infection symptoms, which I was sent to the ER for the night before, including severe pain in the pelvis, achy back (kidneys). Although symptoms of a severe UTI can also be fever, pain in the flank (pain that runs along the back at about waist level), chills, and nausea, I believe the medication gave me the additional symptoms. I was fine all day long until around two hours after taking the pill. After about 3 hours, symptoms increasingly went away. I am not sure if the pills are working or if they wore off."

• Sta...
• September 13, 2019

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I was diagnosed with cellulitis in my elbow. The doctor gave me a shot of Bactrim in my bum and sent me home with a prescription for Bactrim 2 times a day. I took it for 4 days, and I developed severe anxiety, chills, overheating, ringing in my ears, and a full-body rash. I was told to stop taking it, and then they gave me prednisone, which made me depressed and full of rage. This medication is awful."

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "So glad I visited and read all these reviews. I thought I was going mad! I'm halfway through a 5-day x 2 a day script and feel just awful - fevers, then freezing cold, aches, pains, and dull headache, and the nausea and reflux is like being pregnant (except I'm menopausal!). Hopefully, the UTI is ebbing and, like others, I can't wait to stop taking it in a couple of days."

• hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim for 5 days for UTI and did not feel any relief until day 4. But from day 2, I had side effects like burning pain of the scalp with the slightest touch and dizziness with fast head movements. From day 4 on, I had a fever with chills. Then, a couple of hours after the last dose on day 5, I developed a skin rash of red dots all over my torso, arms, and face, the dots grew larger and also spread to my legs and feet by the end of the night. I had to take prednisone and antihistamine to control the rash and take another antibiotic to treat my UTI that Bactrim only partially treated."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2021

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I had a facial abscess lanced at urgent care and prescribed Bactrim in case it was MRSA. I took it for about 8 days twice daily and lost my appetite, got headaches, and felt anxious and depressed. I continued to get cystic acne behind my ears, mostly the ear by the abscess that was drained, so the dermatologist PA told me to take Bactrim for another month, once a day. I took it another 12 days until I began having knee joint pain and achiness in my legs like I've got the flu. Oh, I was also getting the chills. I've been off it 3 days and still having very bad leg pain that's caused me to have a panic attack and extreme mood swings and depression. I know it's from this antibiotic... I'm praying that the pain goes away as it is debilitating and I was a healthy 30-year-old prior to this."

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2015

For Acne "I was suffering from acne since childhood. I tried Accutane, but it didn't work for me. I tried any kind of drugs and creams prescribed by a dermatologist, but nothing works. Recently, I went to one dermatologist at a hospital-based clinic, and she prescribed me Bactrim DS. I took it for a week, and suddenly I just felt terrible. I had a severe fever and chills, and after two days, I noticed the rash all over my body. I thought it was measles. But, ouch! Tachycardia, dehydration for just a week. When I visited my dermatologist, she said it was a Bactrim allergy. The bad thing is she had to send me to the emergency room. I was so happy at first because Bactrim cleared my acne in just a week, but in the end, it’s a horrible feeling that I almost died."