Bactrim and Rash: What Users Say (Page 2)

• kmu...
• April 11, 2009

For Urinary Tract Infection "I've taken this to treat and to prevent urinary tract infections, and it has helped me with both. The only reason I gave it an 8 is because if I don't take it for a while, and then I take it, I get hives. The next day when I take it, I'm fine. It just happens the first time. When this happens, I have to take allergy medicine to help it go away."

• Dea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2020

For Sinusitis "I took this as my 3rd round of antibiotics for sinusitis. After taking Bactrim for 4 days, I have been having horrible hives and rashes. I am literally wanting to itch my skin off, it's so bad. I took 2 Benadryl, and I have stopped taking this rubbish. Definitely calling my doctor about these horrible side effects."

• Dea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2020

For Sinusitis "I took this as my 3rd round of antibiotics for sinusitis. After taking Bactrim for 4 days, I have been having horrible hives and rashes. I am literally wanting to itch my skin off, it's so bad. I took 2 Benadryl, and I have stopped taking this rubbish. Definitely calling my doctor about these horrible side effects."

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2015

For Acne "While I was only on Bactrim for one week, I feel like it was an experience to share! In this week, I did notice a difference in my skin, and it was probably the best my face has ever looked. That being said, I developed allergy symptoms pretty quickly but did not make the connection right away. High fever and nausea for a few days before a full-body rash on the 8th day. I was taking two pills a day. Always watch for symptoms and consult the doctor. I would still recommend this medication to others as it appeared VERY promising at clearing up my moderate hormonal acne. If I could go on it again, I would."

• Tir...
• August 16, 2019

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Took Bactrim 4 days for skin infection, then quit due to not sleeping or being able to eat. I drank plenty of water but ended up feeling like my head was going to explode, joints aching, vision blurry, felt like I was being poisoned. The doctor said to continue taking, just make sure you eat. I let them know I was not able to eat, so I quit on my own, nobody's going to know what is going on with their body better than themselves, and it was just poisoning me. Three days after stopping Bactrim, I have a rash all over my body, and a week later still feel like my head is going to explode, very tired and vision blurry. Doctors put on my file to never take again as I am allergic to it."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "Years ago, I had an allergic reaction after being prescribed Bactrim for a UTI. I had a rash all over my body, and my face was swollen. So, my advice to anyone else who has been allergic to Bactrim is never to take Trimethoprim antibiotic. Recently, it was prescribed to me. I was taken to the hospital by ambulance with a rash all over my body, prescribed Prednisone, which sent my blood sugar sky high. I am a Type 1 diabetic. Now, I have a 19 cm blood clot in my leg. BEWARE. I believe the GP, who knew I was allergic to Bactrim, should have known Bactrim includes Trimethoprim. I am not happy or confident with the TGA."

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2020

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Got a nasty couple of mosquito bites that ended up streaking up my arms. Was prescribed Bactrim for the bacterial skin infection. First few days, my tummy was bad and not sleeping well. On the 7th day, I suddenly had the worst chills/shivers and low fever. By morning, my arms, legs, and torso were covered in a rash. Went to the ER and they immediately determined it was a Bactrim reaction. Said the drug is known to have nasty reactions and not sure why I was prescribed it when there are alternatives. If you have an alternative drug that is just as effective, not worth the risk."

• Hav...
• June 30, 2016

For Acne "This medication did work, but unfortunately, after only one week, I was one of the unlucky few who found out they were allergic. I broke out in a rash all over my body. I stopped immediately. It sucks because it was making my skin kind of glowy. But it's not worth it if you're allergic. If you're not, then it would probably be perfect."

• She...
• October 24, 2020

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Treated with Bactrim for MRSA. This drug ruined my life. Bactrim is a very strong drug. This is over a year now I’ve taken Bactrim, and it left me with a number of side effects up until now, a whole year later, with weight loss, stomach problems, tightness in the throat, rash, depression, lymph nodes, and other feelings I can’t describe. Please stay far away from this drug because I can’t understand how this drug is prescribed for so many different things to begin with, and it’s just making everyone worse than after they take it."

• Sul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took Bactrim for 5 days, which resulted in two days of chest pain and a trip to the ER. After five days, I broke out in a rash from head to toe, along with swelling of my face, lips, and throat. My mother was also allergic to sulfa medications. So, no more Bactrim for me."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "On day five of a 10-day course, I noticed a rash on my face. Over the next 12 hours, it would cover my entire body. It didn't itch, it burned! Doc said Benadryl wouldn't help, so I needed a steroid shot. I was also very dizzy and tired on this medication. If you have never taken Bactrim and aren't sure if you are allergic to sulfa drugs, I would just take something else."

• Anonymous
• November 9, 2012

For Bacterial Infection "Seems to be working, am impressed with it. Had a sinus infection, throat infection, earache, and woman-type of rash under my arms. All seem to be improving. I have only started taking the medication, though. I am hoping for the best from what others here had to say."

• ASa...
• April 8, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "UTI - Bactrim for 7 days. Day 1 stomach discomfort. Day 2 UTI slight urgency but manageable, that night had an anxiety attack and heart palpitations. By day 4 exhausted, hardly able to do my daily work. I called my doctor on day 5, and she said this is normal - to just power through, and since I’m allergic to penicillin, I’m likely not allergic to Sulfa. That night had chills and a 100-degree fever. Day 6 I felt even worse (chills and fever) and developed hives. Was told I have a Sulfa allergy and to stop with the meds and start Macrobid. The next day with Bactrim leaving my system I developed a full body rash that made me look sunburned and had a 103-degree fever. The rash subsided 6 days after it started, and my other symptoms ended 3 days after I stopped the pills. Overall, one of the worst medical experiences of my adult life. Macrobid seemed to work, only symptom was head fog, which may have been from Bactrim. Giving Bactrim 2 stars because it seemed to clear the UTI."

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

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I got a staph infection with a boil on my arm and was prescribed Bactrim 2x/day for 10 days. Started on 7/3. The large hard painless boil lump did not subside but did not get worse, so there’s that, but possibly it was already contained. I admit I did not drink tons of water. Seven days in, on 7/10, I got a huge red dot rash and itchy hive plaques on my inner forearms and upper thighs. Took Benadryl at night but woke up a couple of hours in with itchy heels and big hive plaques on my butt cheeks, so I couldn't sleep. This went on for days, where a new area would rise and bump up, like all over my back, arms, and chest. Antihistamines helped with the itch a little, but the weird skin was still there. I stopped Bactrim on 7/11. Hives stayed until the end of 7/15. May come back. Read this drug can lead to Steven Johnson's syndrome-yikes."

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

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I got a staph infection with a boil on my arm and was prescribed Bactrim 2x/day for 10 days. Started on 7/3. The large hard painless boil lump did not subside but did not get worse, so there’s that, but possibly it was already contained. I admit I did not drink tons of water. Seven days in, on 7/10, I got a huge red dot rash and itchy hive plaques on my inner forearms and upper thighs. Took Benadryl at night but woke up a couple of hours in with itchy heels and big hive plaques on my butt cheeks, so I couldn't sleep. This went on for days, where a new area would rise and bump up, like all over my back, arms, and chest. Antihistamines helped with the itch a little, but the weird skin was still there. I stopped Bactrim on 7/11. Hives stayed until the end of 7/15. May come back. Read this drug can lead to Steven Johnson's syndrome-yikes."

• dry...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "I had a UTI around the turn of the century and was put on this. With one pill left, I ended up with a lovely rash on my thighs. After reading all the other reviews, I feel extremely lucky that my sulfa allergy didn't hit me so hard I ended up in the hospital!"

• Lis...
• September 26, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I had a lump removed from my breast. It ended up getting infected from the inside. So I was prescribed Bactrim. It was about a week and a half before I noticed I was developing a rash. I went through my whole house, cleaning and racking my brain, trying to figure out why I was having an allergic reaction. I didn't even think of having an allergic reaction to the medicine. So I called my doctor, and they took me off it ASAP. It didn't help my infection, and it made me break out everywhere, and I mean everywhere, lol!"

• 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."

• Yaz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2019

For Bacterial Skin Infection "My son was prescribed this drug after being hospitalized for an eczema infection. Then, 7 days later, he is covered in pin-dotted rash and high fever due to Bactrim. The doctor told me to give him Benadryl every 4 hours for now. He can't sleep at night, I'm worried his rash will get worse and he will stop breathing. The doctor says to rush him to the ER if symptoms get worse. This drug should not be given to a 9-year-old."

• Cmp...
• December 6, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim for a possible UTI, and it seemed to relieve my symptoms after a few days. However, on day 7 out of 10, I started noticing red dots all over my skin. Over the period of the next day or so, the dots multiplied until it was a complete red rash all over my body. Not very itchy, but definitely unpleasant to look at. I also developed a low-grade fever of 100.6 and got headaches and felt very out of it. Went to the doctor and was told to stop taking the Bactrim because I was having an allergic reaction. Rash and other side effects went away within a few days. Looking back, there were probably other symptoms I should have noticed that pointed to me being allergic, but I didn’t think anything of them. Most people will have different experiences on this medication, so don’t start reading reviews and assume the worst. Talk to your doctor. I will say the Bactrim did seem to do its job, though, and I no longer have the UTI I was originally prescribed it for."

• Shi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2022

For Prostatitis "The first two-week course seemed to work, but symptoms came back a few days later, so I had to go back on it - it is helping again. Hopeful the relief will stick when I go off it in a few days. Middle of this second two-week course, I broke out in a mild case of hives and began to experience more pronounced side effects, including back pain, soreness, stiffness, and achiness, like a baby version of my experience after the Moderna vaccine, and increased anxiety. All of that is not fun, but it's manageable - nothing like the nightmare some on this board are describing - and there's no question that it's helped. The doctor says if I ever have to go on a similar antibiotic again, it should not be Bactrim because the hives suggest an allergy. (Note: also on Flomax.)"

• Ing...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "Folliculitis - had a bad ingrown hair that drained a bit after hot compress and exfoliating but wouldn’t completely resolve. After 8 wks, I decided antibiotics might be the solution. I had taken antibiotics for an ingrown hair once before about 20 years ago. I had no known allergies, and I’ve been on a lot of meds over the years for rosacea and cystic acne breakouts, including Accutane, Doxycycline, steroids, etc. A friend of mine had Bactrim, and I decided to try ONE pill - certain it would be fine. I was wrong. Within 30 minutes, I broke out in hives. I had 3 on my face, several on my arms and legs. The hives stopped after the initial breakout, and although I was worried, I was keen to just keep watch and not go to the ER. They finally went down about 24 hours later. I spent the night being very anxious/paranoid and feeling really off in general. I took two doses of Benadryl, and it’s now been 36 hours, and I feel fine, but it was scary. I am one of the unlucky 3% with a Sulfa Allergy."

• 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."