Bactrim and Itching: What Users Say

• Itl...
• August 17, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I prayed long and hard. I want to pay it forward so someone else doesn’t experience the anxiety that came with looking at these reviews. Know that you’re taking this because you have an infection, and that in itself can make you feel miserable. A lot of these side effects mentioned are parallel with symptoms of a significant infection. So there’s that. Take AFTER you eat. Not a “bite of banana.” Eat a good meal. Take with a full bottle of water. I took mine with Benadryl due to the fact my skin gets itchy (not a rash). I also took a GOOD probiotic to counter any gut microbiome disruption. Eat bananas, simple foods, not greasy meals. Avoid extra sun exposure or anything that will zap you. Yes, it can make your stomach a little off, but it was tolerable and I was on it twice a day for 5 days, 800mg. I was scared, and I will add have FAITH. Let it go. You’re taking it to heal, it’s not always a happy walk in the park process. Every single person reacts differently. Hope this helps someone."

• Lei...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have an intense phobia of taking meds due to a life-threatening experience with another antibiotic, so I've been tuned into any possible side effect forming within my body after reading all the warnings for this med. I was diagnosed with a severe UTI that was starting to affect my kidneys, so my doc said it was imperative I take medication and prescribed Bactrim DS for 7 days, twice a day. I have had 2 full doses, and 24 hours, about 70% of my UTI symptoms have disappeared and I have had virtually no negative side effects. Within 48 hours, almost completely gone. I do have some very mild itching with no rash or redness that comes and goes. And heartburn (potentially from a combo of taking the med plus cranberry juice that already gives me heartburn sometimes). That's it! Energy is fine, no weird pains, no tummy-specific issues, etc. I am only on day 2, so if anything scary happens, I will update that info. So far, I have had a good experience with Bactrim!"

• Acl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2016

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Currently on day 3 of a 10-day antibiotic blast of Bactrim after 2 days on Keflex. What I had originally thought was a pimple on my septum just inside my right nostril turned out to be a staph infection. I had lanced the 'pimple' when it came to a head, thinking it would provide relief, however, the infection spread across my nares and over the tip of my nose overnight. Went to urgent care as I instantly suspected staph as the culprit and was prescribed Keflex and Bactroban topical until my follow-up with my PCP. Infection showed moderate improvement at my follow-up, but was then prescribed Bactrim. Within 24 hours, the itch and swelling had completely subsided. By 48 hours, the sores were cluster-scabbing, and today they're falling off!"

• Acl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2016

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Currently on day 3 of a 10-day antibiotic blast of Bactrim after 2 days on Keflex. What I had originally thought was a pimple on my septum just inside my right nostril turned out to be a staph infection. I had lanced the 'pimple' when it came to a head, thinking it would provide relief, however, the infection spread across my nares and over the tip of my nose overnight. Went to urgent care as I instantly suspected staph as the culprit and was prescribed Keflex and Bactroban topical until my follow-up with my PCP. Infection showed moderate improvement at my follow-up, but was then prescribed Bactrim. Within 24 hours, the itch and swelling had completely subsided. By 48 hours, the sores were cluster-scabbing, and today they're falling off!"

• 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."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2015

For Kidney Infections "Really effective, but really terrible side effects. UTI and kidney infection both cleared up quickly, which I'm grateful for, and ultimately that's the point. But I had nausea and vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, joint aches, itchy skin, sore throat, loss of appetite... I felt way better with the infection than I did on the medication. But it's all temporary."

• BWa...
• February 19, 2020

For Meningitis "The ER doctor prescribed him Bactrim to help with the forever ear infection. My son was taking the antibiotics for 2 weeks when he began experiencing symptoms like meningitis. He complained of his head hurting, stiff neck, back pain, sore throat, fever, and stomach ache. Took him to the ER, they did blood work and different tests and found nothing wrong. The doctor sent me home, told me to continue the antibiotics. I gave it to him again, and again the same reaction. I stopped giving it to him, and he broke out with this massive rash that burned and itched. He itched for a week. I did research on this drug and found out this drug can cause aseptic meningitis, I was poisoning my kid! On further research, I found this drug can alter blood tests so that they would not know to look for meningitis. The scariest part is the medical professionals missed this and told me to keep giving this poison to my child. I hate this drug! It is the worst drug to give anyone! I paid $151 to poison my child."

• Joe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "Started taking Cipro for a bladder infection but had some bad side effects in the tendon in my right hand. Went back to the Dr. and he gave me Bactrim (Septra). I took it for 3 days in total before I had to stop. The symptoms literally made me feel like I was dying. I had a really foggy head, headaches, dizziness, I almost passed out one day. I got zero sleep the whole time I was on it. My joints hurt in the night, my skin got really itchy and developed a rash, I also developed extreme anxiety and I felt like I was having a heart attack with the palpitations. I was close to panic attack, that's when I said enough is enough. I've never had a reaction like that and I have trouble remembering those days. It was a blur of pain and confusion."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "Worst medicine ever! I got this to get rid of my UTI, and while taking it, I had the worst side effects: itching, rash, headaches. And I am off the medication, finally, it's been a week now, and I am still getting headaches. I don't know what to do. I wish I never took it."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2020

For Prostatitis "Took Bactrim Forte for prostatitis 2x a day. At the beginning, I just had a mild itch, but by day 5, my eyes became red and I started seeing floaters in my vision. At this point, I had to stop. Be careful with this drug."

• Rx ...
• November 21, 2016

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Side effects: Extreme exhaustion, extreme irritability, inability to concentrate, nausea, itching and skin peeling at the site of finger infection, vaginal spotting, body aches, severe headaches. Rx was for 2 times a day for 10 days for severe infection on the end of the finger with red streaks. Completed medicine because infection was healing, but side effects were substantial!"

• Sof...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "I've had Bactrim three years ago for a UTI too, never had any side effects. I've tried it this week again for the same reason because I didn't want to try Macrobid as I had a bad experience, but not even close to what this stuff did to me. As soon as I took the drug, my vagina started to itch so bad. I thought it was a yeast infection or something, then my vagina got so swollen I couldn't explain. I took only two doses and stopped. The next day I was in horrible pain, went to three doctors to finally get a gynecologist to check me. He was horrified and said I had a wound in my vulva, gave me some stuff that is finally giving me relief. I also got my tongue so sore I can barely eat, and the doctors don't care. My scalp is so sensitive I was about to call an ambulance when I got out of the shower. My head felt on fire. I'm beyond traumatized after this experience and praying to God I don't have any other problems with this drug. Could this be a fixed drug eruption?"

• KCa...
• December 12, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Took one dose of Bactrim for my UTI. Within 20 minutes, I felt really itchy. About an hour later, my chest became really tight, so I went to urgent care. I felt so sick, I couldn’t walk. I fell down on the sidewalk, throwing up on my way into the building. It caused severe vomiting and diarrhea. My heart rate was 120, and I had a fever. I ended up having to get an IV and finally felt okay enough after many hours at the hospital. I will absolutely never take this medication again."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2020

For Bacterial Skin Infection "This was the worst experience of my life. Four days after starting this medicine, the backs of my thighs started itching like crazy for about 2 hours. I took some Benadryl, and it seemed to help. But then came the pain. It started in my calves. It was like pins and needles. I couldn't sleep. Then it moved to my feet. Then to my arms and hands. It was so scary! I didn't/couldn't sleep for 2 days straight. Finally, a doctor put me on steroids and some hydrocodone for the pain. It was horrible, and I would not recommend this drug to anyone!"

• Lun...
• June 1, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "So I am on day 2 out of 5. First day was awful; 20 mins after my first dose, I started getting extremely itchy on my throat, neck, and face. My bottom lip flared up, and I got really nauseous. I turned the fan on, drank a bunch of water, and lied down. I was going to discontinue it, but after a good hour, all my symptoms went down. I decided to try it again this morning, and I'm feeling fine! Still a little burning when I urinate, but it is so much better now. Hoping this will work."

• Meg...
• March 8, 2014

For Sinusitis "I have been taking Bactrim for sinusitis for around a week. I have developed painful sores on my tongue that are not visible to the eye. My mouth itches and burns terribly. It worked for my underlying condition, but this side effect is unbearable."

• MTa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim for a bladder infection/UTI. Took only 1 pill and felt jittery and lightheaded about 30 minutes after taking. Then began to feel slightly itchy and by the nighttime my skin felt like it was burning, along with a splitting headache, shooting pain in my neck, and insomnia, unable to sleep, complete brain fog and anxiety. Just from one dose, I didn't take any more and 5 days later still having a splitting headache and random pains throughout my body. I would not recommend and ask the doctor for an alternative to Bactrim."

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2010

For Acne "I have horrible hormonal acne, and Bactrim has been the only systemic drug that has helped. Problem is, I took it for years, randomly when needed. After years of usage, oddly, I became allergic to it. I broke out in large red spots that were extremely sensitive. It's a serious allergy. I have permanent dark bruises all over my body, and it has been years since I've used it. If you haven't tried Bactrim, try it. It will work for you."

• 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."

• mac...
• March 12, 2012

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim and Keflex to treat a traumatic force injury to my shin, which a month later turned into a bacterial-type infection. I was on these 2 antibiotics for 3 doses (100 mg Bactrim), and I got small spots of hive-like bumps under both forearms, on my hand, and on the backside of the injured shin. They took me off those antibiotics, and without taking any other medicines yet that day, approximately 8 hours later, I looked like I had the chickenpox. It's Day 3 after stopping Bactrim, and I'm just starting to get some relief from the intense itching (I did have a steroid IV today to try to help this)."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Not a good option for me. I will never take it again. I was prescribed Bactrim for a recurring UTI. I think I may have taken it before and done fine, but not this time. I took my first pill in the evening and vomited. I didn’t really think much about it. I have the lap band, so that’s not all that unusual. I took my second dose the next morning and started going about my day. I started feeling body aches in all of my joints within four hours, with a slight headache. By the afternoon, I couldn’t tolerate light. I had a high fever and was short of breath. I was itchy, and some of my skin tags had become swollen and irritated. Every cell in my body hurt like I had been beaten with a bat. It was miserable, and I felt like death. Those symptoms lasted all night. The headache was the most debilitating part for me. Kind of afraid to take the new RX after that experience."

• Mya...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took Bactrim and had the worst experience a few hours later. I began to itch all over my body, in my throat and ears, and then had horrible diarrhea. After that, I started to have itching and burning in the bottom of my mouth, tongue, and throat, followed by swelling in my lip and throat, with shortness of breath and feeling anxious. I took Benadryl and went to the ER but did not stay due to a long wait and drowsiness from Benadryl. Bactrim did ease and relieve my UTI pain quickly, but the side effects were even worse. I still have symptoms of the allergy - diarrhea and burning in my mouth. I would recommend trying something else. I’ve taken Bactrim before with no issues, but this time was horrific. All happened within the first few hours of the first dose."

• Anonymous
• January 16, 2010

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have taken Bactrim for 3 days. Horrible reaction. Had to go to the hospital. Itch, rashes all over. Also felt like my throat was starting to close up. Had to take 4 pills at the hospital to try to clear up this reaction and to open my airway. I have to take 3 different pills for 8 days. Will have to see my doctor next week to get another medicine for the UTI. Now I know that I'm allergic to this."

• Les...
• December 7, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I'm on day 7. It's the third antibiotic I've taken in 2 months. I pray it worked. I wanted to tell people to take good probiotics, and it will keep the itching away. I take kefir. It's like a probiotic yogurt smoothie with billions of good bacteria per serving in the yogurt section. I've also used pill form probiotics."

• hat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "Was prescribed this and took the night before flying back east. 2nd pill during the flight. I thought my face was really dry from the airplane because it was really itchy. I had no lotion, so ignored it. The 3rd pill that night and itchy face felt like windburn, despite tons of lotion. The 4th pill in the morning, but face felt swollen and a little numb, especially around the lips. So I called the doctor... told to stop taking it and that symptoms should go away the next day. It's day 3 after stopping, and the face is better but still numbness feeling by the lips. The half-life for the medicine to leave the body should be over by now (well, in a few hours). I assume it will eventually go away but will never take this again."