Bactrim and Itching: What Users Say (Page 2)

• owi...
• January 4, 2021

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Was prescribed Bactrim-DS BID for 10 days for an infected cut on my wrist from punching glass. The first 2 days were HORRIBLE. I was tachycardic, nauseous, gassy, itchy on arms/legs, and had no appetite, jaw clenching, and severe panic attacks. Plus, my symptoms were just getting worse. I was forming clusters of stinging/itching blisters around my cuts, my wrist was swollen and warm to the touch, and I felt feverish. I ended up getting prescribed Keflex to take with Bactrim starting Day 3. Side effects subsided and symptoms got better. Some nights, I'd wake up at 3 AM with a panic attack that lasted until I took my next dose. Other nights, I'd be able to sleep just fine. Days 6-7, I got gas pain that felt like chest pain. The side effects didn't get better until Day 8. By then, all I had was some itchiness but no full-on rash. I never want to take this drug again. I give it 3 stars only because it did treat my infection despite taking all 10 days and all my willpower to pull through."

• owi...
• January 4, 2021

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Was prescribed Bactrim-DS BID for 10 days for an infected cut on my wrist from punching glass. The first 2 days were HORRIBLE. I was tachycardic, nauseous, gassy, itchy on arms/legs, and had no appetite, jaw clenching, and severe panic attacks. Plus, my symptoms were just getting worse. I was forming clusters of stinging/itching blisters around my cuts, my wrist was swollen and warm to the touch, and I felt feverish. I ended up getting prescribed Keflex to take with Bactrim starting Day 3. Side effects subsided and symptoms got better. Some nights, I'd wake up at 3 AM with a panic attack that lasted until I took my next dose. Other nights, I'd be able to sleep just fine. Days 6-7, I got gas pain that felt like chest pain. The side effects didn't get better until Day 8. By then, all I had was some itchiness but no full-on rash. I never want to take this drug again. I give it 3 stars only because it did treat my infection despite taking all 10 days and all my willpower to pull through."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "Listen! No! Heck no! Absolutely NOT!!! I was prescribed Macrobid, but itching started and my face felt numb just after the 2nd dose!!! So my doctor switched me to Bactrim! I will say the first 2 pills weren’t so bad. Little nausea, slight headache. But baaaabbbby, this 3rd pill is the awful! I’m currently shivering as I type this. I’m in a robe and under covers. Make it make sense. Prior to this, I had a scare... my heart rate increased so high!!!! Talk about a rapid beating out of nowhere, I FREAKED out!!!! I should’ve read the reviews and listened! I didn’t listen... thinking I’d have a better outcome. I had 3 pills left. I’m not taking that!! I’ll keep drinking my water and flushing my system because the symptoms were milder than the antibiotic!!!! We all are different indeed, but dang how can your body handle this stuff? Still shivering, by the way. I was given this twice a day for 3 days."

• Mju...
• November 19, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "It's the first time I take Bactrim since my mom is usually taking it to cure her UTI. I don't have any prescription regarding my UTI, so I tried it since it was recommended by my mom. As far as I know, I don't have allergies with medicine. After 2 hours of taking it, I woke up feeling itchy, and my face was swollen. I won't take this med ever again even if it cures UTI."

• Mai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was given Bactrim to treat a urinary tract infection. After 2 days of being on the drug, I started to develop hives all over my body. Even on the soles of my feet and palms of my hands. The itching is so horrible. I went to urgent care, and they prescribed a steroid and hydroxyzine for the itching. Prior to this, I had no allergies whatsoever, not even seasonal allergies. I would ask for an antibiotic that does not contain sulfacetamide. I also read the reviews here and wasn't worried because I never had any problems."

• bcp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2023

For Middle Ear Infections "Took the IV version in the hospital for 2 days for mastoiditis. Felt fine but got a really bad itchy and burning feeling 'downstairs.' Antifungal pills got rid of that. It also cleared up a scalp infection temporarily. Unfortunately, a month later, the scalp infection is back. Mastoiditis seems to still be lingering. Had no other adverse reactions that I know of, and I am sensitive to pills and medicines."

• Eri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I had a boil that was so deeply embedded in my skin, they took photos at the hospital. Was given Bactrim at the hospital. By the time I got home, I had a huge purple bruise on my right arm near my elbow. Assumed it was a bug bite. Filled the script, took Bactrim....blisters formed all over my body. Red and purple bumps and spots formed all over my body. Skin was peeling and itching like crazy. This was a definite allergic reaction. Had never been given that before. Hydrocodone was prescribed for pain. It made me break out in hives all over. Two more drugs to add to my list of allergies."

• Bon...
• August 29, 2018

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I recently had a boil lanced and was prescribed Bactrim. About 45 minutes after taking the first dose, which was two tablets, I began to have a severe itch throughout my body. My tongue, throat, face, and hands started to swell. Had to be taken to the ER due to an anaphylactic reaction. I found out I am allergic to this type of medication. I am now leery of any type of new medication being prescribed."

• Dre...
• February 20, 2017

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "Was prescribed Bactrim for a UTI. Within minutes of taking my first dose, I became extremely itchy and developed welts... I stopped taking it, and it took two days for the itch to calm down. So apparently, I'm allergic to it. Had to get a different drug called in, which was CIPRO, will not take that one due to bad side effects, so now I'm on Macrobid. Will see how this goes."

• HWa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim DS, 1 pill 2x a day for 10 days for a UTI. Previously, a 5-day course of amoxicillin failed to rid my UTI. I don't think I started to feel better until day 7, but even though I'm now done with the course, I still have slight UTI symptoms and test strips still show slight traces. I'm guessing I have a resistant strain of bacteria, so I'm going to call my doctor for yet a 3rd antibiotic (I'm guessing Cipro will be next). Overall, I did not have any scary symptoms. No upset stomach, no rashes or hives, no headaches. I usually ate a small snack beforehand but always drank a full glass of water with each dose (and tried to drink more throughout the day as well as recommended). I did my best to stay indoors and wear sunscreen too. I will say on the 7th day, I did feel like the skin on my arms was a little sensitive and itchy. Like maybe the start of a rash, but it's possible my seasonal allergies were kicking in (I avoided taking Claritin since I didn't know if I could)."

• HWa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim DS, 1 pill 2x a day for 10 days for a UTI. Previously, a 5-day course of amoxicillin failed to rid my UTI. I don't think I started to feel better until day 7, but even though I'm now done with the course, I still have slight UTI symptoms and test strips still show slight traces. I'm guessing I have a resistant strain of bacteria, so I'm going to call my doctor for yet a 3rd antibiotic (I'm guessing Cipro will be next). Overall, I did not have any scary symptoms. No upset stomach, no rashes or hives, no headaches. I usually ate a small snack beforehand but always drank a full glass of water with each dose (and tried to drink more throughout the day as well as recommended). I did my best to stay indoors and wear sunscreen too. I will say on the 7th day, I did feel like the skin on my arms was a little sensitive and itchy. Like maybe the start of a rash, but it's possible my seasonal allergies were kicking in (I avoided taking Claritin since I didn't know if I could)."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 1, 2025

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I have a huge infected cyst on my back that was recently drained. Started on a course of Bactrim for 7 days, BID. The first two days were okay, besides some increased anxiety and shakiness. At the end of the second night, I started having a tingling sensation in my throat. Not like an allergic reaction, but like a sore throat. I am hoarse, and it hurts to swallow. The outside of my neck has been itching, but nothing visible. Today, the morning of the fourth day, I could not will myself to take my morning dose. I feel like I'm taking chemo at this point. Very run down and lethargic. No GI symptoms. Mostly headache and this tingling in my throat and sides of my tongue. Not sure if I'm going to continue because the cyst has drained and the fluid is pretty clear at this point. The medicine did work, but I do not like the side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2015

For Acne "Whatever you do, DO NOT TAKE THIS! I would not recommend this for acne. Four weeks into the treatment, I was sent to the hospital with a very bad fever, it became hard to breathe. A couple days after I came home from the hospital, my whole body felt like pins and needles on the inside and itchy on the outside! :( Most horrible thing I've been through. Honestly, Accutane was less of a pain than this. I'd take dry lips to pins and needles any day."

• LBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2020

For Diverticulitis "This drug is absolutely horrid! Bactrim makes me feel like I'm walking around in some drug-induced stupor. My tongue is irritated, I'm itchy. This drug should be pulled off the market."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "Severe head feeling hot. Felt like head was swelling. Severe swelling of the face. Extreme itching in hands and feet. Confusion. Only took one tablet."

• Chi...
• May 10, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "I am barely able to write this!!!... So itchy!! My entire body is covered in goddamn rashes that aren't going away and are itchy as hell, head to toe..."