Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection User Reviews (Page 3)

• Lad...
• September 30, 2011

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "I went to the hospital last night because there was a boil under my armpit. Last month I had one on my buttock. They tested me for diabetes, I'm not a diabetic. I don't know why I keep getting boils. They couldn't drain it because fluid hasn't formed yet, so they gave me Bactrim. I have to take 2 pills every 12 hrs. They are huge. And hopefully, they work well for me like they did for most of you!"

• Hat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2023

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "After a sinus infection and an infected ingrown toenail, I was prescribed Bactrim twice daily for 14 days. I just want to say there is nothing to be afraid of. I'm terrified of taking meds. I'm severely allergic to penicillin and I've had hard times with them. So, naturally, I waited last minute to take these. I was laying in bed burning hot from inside out with a fever. I could literally feel the infection spreading in my body. I finally said enough and reached for a Bactrim. I had no side effects at all and within an hour I felt drastically better. When I take it, I also take a piece of Promethazine (Phenergan) and if fever then an ibuprofen. I also eat a pretty decent-sized meal about an hour prior with yogurt (for the probiotics). I just like to be prepared but nope, nothing bad has happened. This is the best antibiotic I've ever taken and it works fast. Trust me, don't be scared, follow instructions and eat with it, you will be just fine. Also, I sit up for 30 minutes after I take it."

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2016

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "Went to the hospital for a migraine - come to find my body was toxic and had an internal infection throughout. Doctor prescribed Bactrim, and by itself, with no aspirin, it got rid of the headache. Apparently, it does the job, does it well, and does it fast for me."

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "Took Bactrim for folliculitis. First 7 days I only had vomiting and nausea, but on Day 8 I started getting fevers, intense shaking, throbbing headache, sweating, vomiting, insomnia, depression. I never felt this sick ever. It took me a while to realize it was the antibiotic. Once I stopped taking it, I broke out in a rash. Ended up having a sulfa allergy. Please be cautious when taking this. There was one point where I just wanted to call 911, I was in so much agony... It did help clear up much of the infection."

• Pic...
• August 8, 2011

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "I have been prescribed Bactrim for a skin infection in the form of 2 boils, 1 on my arm and 1 on my leg. I have been prescribed Bactrim 800/160 2x per day for 10 days. I started feeling horrible after the first dose. Extreme dizziness, stomach issues, headache by day 3, feeling dehydrated with weakness and joint pain and jaw pain, loss of appetite, insomnia. I am on day 5 and the dizziness is really bad, I had to miss work. I only took half a dose this morning and am considering stopping. Thinking I may be allergic to the sulfonamide as my grandmother is allergic, and this is the first time I have ever taken this. Glad to see others have had a good experience."

• Mr ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2017

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "I'm on my fourth 800/160 pill of Bactrim, treating MRSA infection, which has also caused my lymph nodes behind my knee and groin to swell and hurt. I initially took doxycycline for about 4 days, with worsening infection. Bactrim worked day 1. The infection started to clear, and lymph swelling and pain are going away. Unfortunately, I had severe anxiety, including shaking, tightness in my chest, very dizzy, and feelings of doom. It's possible this was brought on by me overreacting to a slight side effect, but this is a very strong antibiotic. It works, but you might have to suffer through it. Not fun."

• Gra...
• May 7, 2016

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "Super bad reaction. TERRIBLE! High fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, brown urine, liver inflammation. NO RASH. After 7 days on Bactrim DS, feeling beyond terrible, I did some internet research and suspected drug fever. Ceased taking. Went to my doctor who ran blood tests which confirmed my suspicions. Liver enzymes: AST/SGOT 335 H (mine) 14-36 (unit/L) (normal range) ALT/SGPT 581 H 9-52 (unit/L) Alk Phos 307 H 38-126 (unit/L) Levels started to go down after I stopped taking it; it took 3 months for levels to return to normal. A lot of information says you have a rash with drug reactions. I did NOT. My skin infection did clear up. It wasn't that bad to start with. I asked him for something topical. Was not my regular doc who prescribed it. My doc said it was overkill. Just because the guy's a doctor doesn't mean he is a good doctor! Be your own advocate. Another round of this crap--who knows! Sulfonamides are one of the drugs that can cause a severe reaction."

• Rx ...
• November 21, 2016

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "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!"

• Anonymous
• March 25, 2012

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "I am currently taking this medicine. I should be finishing it in two days. I have to take it twice for ten days. The whole time I've had migraines. And just recently, I got a rash because I forgot to take it once yesterday. I've never been allergic to anything, but I hope this rash goes away."

• Sti...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2016

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "My daughter had a small, red, angry-looking flea bite, or so we thought. We tried to draw it out with a hot compress. No go. Went to urgent care the next day. Was given Bactrim 800+160. That was a Saturday. The wound was 1 times worse the next day. Went to the ER. Was told NOT to use a hot compress but to keep taking the Bactrim. Today is Tuesday. Taking this medication doesn't seem to be doing much. She is red, inflamed badly, full of nastiness and pain. Using crutches as this is on her lower leg. Seeing the surgeon in 2 days because the infection is now too deep. She is in tons of pain. Thankfully, there is no fever as of yet, but the infection is looking more and more like MRSA. Scary stuff on an 18-year-old who is constantly keeping herself clean."

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

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "My doctor prescribed 10 days of Bactrim DS after he drained an abscess in my upper arm. It definitely worked to heal the infection, but with my last few doses, I broke out in hives and am itching all over my body. Use this with caution."

• Glo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2015

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "I was prescribed Bactrim DS for a paronychia infection on my right index finger. There was no apparent abscess, so the doctor felt a script of Bactrim DS would do the job. After taking the first pill, I began to feel dizzy and nauseous. Over the next few days, I had barely any appetite and wanted to sleep all day. I felt like I could not get enough sleep. I was also extremely sensitive to the sunlight, which only enhanced my desire to sleep more. Overall, the infection did not appear to change in the 3 1/2 days on the antibiotic, but that is not to say it did not work. I just was not able to function on it, therefore I called my doctor for something else."

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2015

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "I had an abscess that had been draining for about 6 days without end and finally went to the ER and had it lanced and packed. The ER doctor prescribed Bactrim DS. After two days, I became dizzy and nauseous and pretty much bedridden. Based on the reviews here and other sites, I have discontinued using the drug. (10-day dosage) The abscess has stopped draining and seems to be doing okay after taking the meds for 5 days. Also, the ER doctor failed to notice that my HBP med conflicts with this med. (Lisinopril) Next time, I will do more research. Normally, I do, but I felt so miserable, I assumed they knew better."

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2011

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "I found that within a day of taking Bactrim, the infection got better, which was GREAT because I had had it for a while. I experienced a few side effects: dizziness, lack of energy, insomnia if I took the pill a few hours before bed (I found to overcome this, I took the pill just before going to sleep), and headaches, but they seemed to dissipate after 2-3 days."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "The 4th day of taking it (along with Cephalexin) for a wound on my ankle that became inflamed and appeared infected. I’m currently recovering from the 4th anxiety and depression episode in my life (I’m 53), so I have to keep that in mind. This drug doesn’t affect my GI system at all. I am taking a probiotic with it. What it does do is increase my anxiety and depression, which I experience as hot flushes, sweating, pounding heart, gloominess. It is distressing. I am trying to push through because it is helping the wound heal. But if you are one of us folks who suffer from anxiety and/or depression, please just be aware that it may exacerbate your symptoms."

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

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "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!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2019

"I went to my doctor for a boil on my face and another on my lower lip. He prescribed Sulfamethoxazole TMP DS. I started it on a Monday, and by Tuesday morning, positive changes started to occur. The boil on my face stopped oozing, and the one on my lip stopped growing/being so painful. The good thing was my doctor prescribed the correct medication, and secondly, it started working right away. I took 2 tablets as soon as I got the script from the pharmacy to raise the level of this antibiotic in my bloodstream quickly. Then 1 tablet every 12 hrs of Sulfamethoxazole TMP DS for 10 days. Not many positive reviews of this med on this site, but after taking this for 4 days, my sores continue to heal and look better each day that passes. I have zero side effects. No rashes, bumps, insomnia, etc. No idea why others have experienced so many negative effects. I am very pleased with this antibiotic."

• Cli...
• January 13, 2018

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "Had a very hot and painful boil right on my belt line from shaving my pubic area. Went to the doc, and he looked at it and said the abscess was way too deep to lance it, put me on Bactroban ointment and a high dose of Bactrim. After 2 days, the infection started to clear up. As far as Bactrim side effects, not as bad as when I take penicillin, mainly a really bad headache, extreme thirst, frequent urination. Take probiotics at lunch to help with diarrhea."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "This has been my first go-to antibiotic. I am allergic to so many. Yes, it’s an older antibiotic and I have to take it longer than most. I know my symptoms for allergic reactions, but I do know what works best for me."

• All...
• May 3, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "I was prescribed Bactrim for a sinus infection, staph infection in my nose, and infected toenail. I haven’t had any side effects. I’ve taken it for a few days and am hoping for good results. This is my second round of antibiotics."

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

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "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."

• Gin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "After reading all the precautions for this drug and the one review, I have decided I'll let the Brown Recluse bite resolve itself. It's on the mend now anyway. I'm 75 years old, and this does not seem to be something I need to be taking. Thanks for the reviews and the information on the internet for giving me some insight."

• Anonymous
• July 9, 2011

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "I am taking Bactrim for a minor staph infection on my leg. It is going away quickly. I am just experiencing fatigue and headaches. The headaches are probably due to dehydration because I am a runner too. I felt better after I drank more water with the medicine. Also, I am experiencing a slight decrease in appetite."

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2017

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "I have been taking Bactrim DS for an infection in my toe from a pedicure. It's been 4 days of not feeling human. I'm terribly exhausted. It feels like trying to stay awake after taking NyQuil. After day 2, I started getting bad headaches. I'm only on it for seven days, so I'm going to suffer through it, but the side effects are almost unbearable."

• Dan...
• September 15, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "I had an ingrown toenail, so my podiatrist removed it and put me on cephalexin for a week. After taking all of them, my toe was still infected. She put me on Bactrim to be taken twice a day for 10 days. Twenty-four hours after my first dose, my mood completely changed. I was depressed and miserable. Day 2, I was spinning, it was impossible to function for daily tasks, and I had no appetite. Day 3, I had a full-blown panic attack, then extreme anxiety, and following that, several heart palpitations. Day 6, I had a rash across my midsection. I stopped taking them that day and called my podiatrist, as my toe still wasn't getting better. She advised I stop and see her later on that day. She wound up removing another piece of nail that had been left behind. When I told her all of the symptoms, she said that I'm allergic. As a person who suffers from food allergies, this terrified me. After a week, the nausea, headache, and spinning started to lighten up, but it took around two months to get back to my normal routine. And to think... these symptoms are NORMAL for this medication."