Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Acne User Reviews

• Amy...
• August 23, 2014

"I love this. It is the ONLY thing that has ever cleared up my acne (face and body) completely. I've tried Proactiv, Retin-A, salicylic acid products, benzoyl peroxide products, the sun, avoiding the sun, only skin-healthy foods, enough sleep, etc., etc. and nothing works long term consistently. Life is just miserable when you have to show a pimply face - you are perceived as ugly and not clean. I'll take the risks of too much antibiotic use over being treated poorly for my appearance."

• Kas...
• September 7, 2014

"I'm 27 and struggle with hormonal cystic acne. I have been on this medication for about 3 months now. Prior to Bactrim, I was taking minocycline. Minocycline worked great but I developed a resistance to it in July 2013. From July 2013, I tried doxycycline, then erythromycin. I struggled trying to find a solution with my Kaiser dermatologist until I went to another dermatologist in June 2014. In June 2014, I tried Bactrim and it started clearing up my skin 3 days after using it. I was prescribed to take 1 pill twice daily. I take 1 in the morning and 1 at night. This medicine has saved me from depression, feeling dirty, and ugly. I hope I don't develop a resistance to it. My skin is completely clear."

• myb...
• February 28, 2014

"I am 41 years old and have struggled all my life with acne. Having done Roaccutane, Minocycline and every other medication and topical ointment. At 41, I was over acne. This is a miracle medicine. Skin cleared up in about 7 days and is absolutely flawless. Can't speak highly enough of this medicine. I am acne-free for the first time in my life. Ask your doctor about this."

• EJa...
• July 11, 2013

"I'm 25 years old and still get those under-the-skin cystic pimples on my face. It is mild but one or two of those monsters just stand out. I've tried Retin-A, every single face wash I can think of, oil-free moisturizers, toners, oil-free makeup. I mean I've done it all, even the DIY remedy for acne. Well, the dermatologist put me on Bactrim, and I have been on it now for about 4 weeks, and my face is CLEAR. I mean I've NEVER seen it this clear! I'm just looking in the mirror all the time because I cannot believe it. Very happy with the results. He said I would have to be on them for a while, but I'm okay with it. It does cause a little nausea, but it's nothing I can't handle and it doesn't last too long. Overall, very happy."

• Jmi...
• September 7, 2013

"I am 52 with hormonal acne. My cysts were terrible. It did a number on my confidence. I have been on Bactrim for over a year for the cysts, and finally, something is working. I tried every other medicine with no results. I'm not sure how long I can be on this, but I never want to stop. I'm afraid if I stop, the cysts will return."

• Kay...
• May 3, 2020

"I have been on Bactrim Rx for about three weeks now, and I already see a dramatic improvement in my skin. All my cystic bumps are gone, haven’t had any active breakouts since the day I started it. My skin feels smooth and looks alive and glowing. My only problem was that it made me very nauseous (as most antibiotics do for me), so I would have to take it after a full meal. But I highly recommend talking to your dermatologist about this medication if you are tired of suffering and being depressed about your skin. It’ll be 100% worth it!"

• Anonymous
• July 11, 2014

"If you just started this medicine, I know you're probably feeling bad about your acne. BUT LISTEN, Bactrim works from the inside out, and if you break out in the first few weeks, that's fine. Stick with it because soon your skin will be clear, and Bactrim will help stop breakouts from ever happening in the first place soon! Cleared my hormonal acne. I rarely get a pimple, and I had moderate to severe acne, and it was a lifesaver! Your acne will be cleared in just a few months. I suggest using a topical gel as well. Hang in there, it helped me during a rough time. In just 3 1/2 months, I had a clear face, just a few acne marks on my cheeks. The only thing that stinks is I'm scared to go off the antibiotic and have a relapse of acne. But I suggest this!"

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

"My 16-year-old daughter died of heart failure from DRESS (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) due to Bactrim DS. Bactrim is one of the leading drugs to cause DRESS syndrome. The risk versus benefit is too high to use this wide-spectrum antibiotic for acne. There are safer alternatives. Please be cautious."

• Sun...
• June 15, 2020

"I hope this helps for anyone who is wanting to take Bactrim. I got prescribed this by my dermatologist about a year and a half ago, and it’s worked wonders! Everyone’s bodies react differently to medications, but from my experience, I can honestly say that it’s cleared up my acne completely, and I had no side effects whatsoever."

• Har...
• September 30, 2020

"I’ve been on Bactrim DS for 7 years. I’ll always stay on it, and I’ve had zero side effects. Just 75-95% clearer skin depending upon the time of month. My blood work is perfect, I’m extremely fit, so there’s no reason you can’t stay on it for extended periods if it is a serious problem for you and you tolerate it well. I’d rather lose 5 years of life than go back to how I was. I get a special long-term prescription, and my life has been handed back to me after 15 years of Accutane, tetracyclines, and mycins. Nothing works like this. I’m not on birth control. It gives me the worst acne. This is what’s right for me. 10/10"

• KMC...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 8, 2019

"I have had severe acne since I was 10 (I’m 35 now). I have very oily skin and get cystic acne usually around the time of my period. I also have blackheads and small breakouts occasionally. I’ve tried every Rx out there, including Accutane once in my 20s and again in my 30s. It’s very effective, but unfortunately it’s not a complete cure for me. When my cystic acne flares up, I use Bactrim, and it’s amazing!! It clears my skin right up. It does have a very drying effect (which is fine since I’m so oily!), but it makes my lips chapped too. I only use it for 7-10 days a month. If I use it longer than that, my lips start to peel and crack. So I take a break and use it at the first sign of trouble. It’s worth noting that I’ve tried doxycycline and minocycline with no results besides an upset stomach. So if you are considering taking Bactrim, do it! I use it with Retin-A."

• Acn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2014

"I started taking this a few weeks ago, and my acne is almost 100% gone. My skin feels very soft and smooth as well. It is definitely worth a try. I was on Monocycline before for about a year, and my acne began to relapse. Once I started on Bactrim, my skin was clear again, but I am scared of relapsing since it is still an antibiotic. Drink lots of water as well because you constantly feel dehydrated."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2013

"I cannot believe how amazing this medicine has been for my cystic acne. I have tried minocycline, doxycycline, prescription topical creams, NOTHING worked. I finally decided to ask my doctor about Bactrim. I have been completely cyst-free since October. This is a record amount of time for me to have NO cysts! I have had maybe three pimples. I've had no side effects. The minocycline gave me horrible joint aches (to the point where I'd almost cry, they hurt so bad). So far I have had absolutely NO side effects. It's wonderful!"

• TJR...
• May 20, 2015

"I am a 24-year-old male and have semi-oily skin. Never had acne until after high school, around 20 years old, so I guess you can call it adult acne. Anyway, I was dealing with cystic acne on my chin, cheeks, jawline, and even sometimes on my nose. It was considered mild to moderate but still very uncomfortable coming from 20 years of a completely clear face. I would have anywhere from 6 to 8 decently sized cysts on my face at any given time. For almost 5 years, I tried everything- all sorts of washes and crap I read online, which none worked. Finally, I went to a derm 3 months ago and got Bactrim 800-160. Within a week, my acne cleared and has been 99.9% gone ever since, taking it twice a day every day."

• MsM...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 12, 2019

"My face broke out with acne at age 15, and tetracycline worked great for years. I stopped taking it around age 19. Things were fine until I reached age 25 or so, and then I started breaking out again. This time around, tetracycline did nothing. I tried minocycline along with a few other antibiotics, and they did not work either. I was on Accutane for about 6 months, and that worked while I was taking it but not so much after I stopped. Finally, my dermatologist put me on Bactrim, and that worked like magic! My face and back have been clear ever since. I have taken Bactrim for 10 years. Now that I’m close to 50, I finally don’t need to take anything!"

• Aes...
• October 16, 2015

"I am 20 years old and have been taking Bactrim since I was 14. Originally, I started with a twice-daily dose but have since decreased to half a pill every other day. It is not a perfect fix, as I still have to be attentive and wash my face twice a day and occasionally use an acne cream, but otherwise, it works quite well. Before starting Bactrim, I had moderate but painful acne, and I now only get small, infrequent pimples. I am now a pharmacy student and thought I should warn people that extended use of any drug is dangerous. Also, Bactrim is NOT an antibiotic but is a synthetic sulfa drug, meaning it is made from chemicals. Some people are severely allergic to sulfa drugs and should be cautious and talk to their doctor before taking this drug."

• Mar...
• March 18, 2015

"I'm a 32-year-old working mom of 4, who has dealt with acne for 14 years...extremely long story short. TRY IT, IT WORKS! Bactrim changed my life and gave me back my confidence. I feel good in my own skin now."

• Ste...
• December 16, 2014

"I am a 40-something woman with moderate hormonal acne. Did one round of Accutane with good results-but acne returned. Tried every other medicine and cream with no luck. Finally tried Bactrim and saw results in 2 DAYS! Been on it a week and have results better than Accutane."

• Ben...
• October 15, 2013

"I have been taking Bactrim for about a year and a half now. Prior to Bactrim, I took everything else. I've had acne since I was roughly 15 and am now 23. Everything I took either left me feeling crappy or didn't work. In my experience taking Bactrim, the first 2-3 months my face breaks out horribly. Then, at some time in that period, it just goes away. It is absolutely the best acne medication I've ever taken! I have taken it twice."

• LGG...
• January 10, 2012

"I've had acne for years. This is the only medicine that works. Weird thing is, the new dermatologist tried to talk me out of it but wouldn't tell me why. I basically told her that if she didn't want to prescribe it, I would just go back to the doctor who did. At 41 years old, I know what works for me. Another interesting side effect - I used to get ear infections and strep throat on a regular basis until starting this. Haven't had either in years!"

• Dav...
• July 23, 2013

"I've been on Bactrim for about 4 years now. Once per day. When I stop taking it, my acne flares up. Hopefully, it's not something I have to take for the rest of my life, but it definitely works when used!"

• Xel...
• July 18, 2016

"I was struggling with really bad cystic hormonal acne and frequent whiteheads. I looked horrible and felt depressed inside. I couldn't look anyone in the eyes. Acne has really sunk my self-esteem. When I was on this for a week... let me just say... this works!! (for me) I tried everything there is... Proactiv, antibiotics, eating better, going to a naturalist. This pill, in 2-3 months, cleared my acne. It was like a miracle. I'm so thankful for it, and it only costs me $8. It saved my life, basically!!"

• Anonymous
• September 4, 2011

"My doctor put me on Bactrim and Aczone. Together, this works wonders! I suffered from somewhat severe acne until this. I started taking it... the first 2-3 weeks I flared up, but once the fourth week hit, my face was completely clear. I would strongly recommend this to anyone who has acne problems."

• Anonymous
• February 12, 2015

"Thank goodness I am not allergic to sulfa! This medication worked like a charm on my rosacea, hormonal cystic acne on my chin. I am 48 years old, and it took me way too long to discover this miracle! Coupled with clindamycin, my face was clear within days!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2012

"I have been on Bactrim for 5 weeks now, and today I decided to stop taking it due to the side effects I'm experiencing. My gums have become inflamed and have a burning sensation that is very bothersome. My face also feels somewhat numb and tingly. I'm disappointed that I can't tolerate this medicine because it really did start clearing up my moderate acne problem. I would recommend giving Bactrim a try, it just didn't agree with me."