Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2021

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "No!!! Do not take this medicine. I was at the hospital a week ago for a severe UTI. They prescribed me Bactrim. They wanted me to take it twice daily for 10 days. I made it to day 6 and tonight I feel so bad. My legs are tingling, my tongue feels tingly, and my mouth is super dry. I’m having bad stomach cramps and my ears hurt. This is all from this medicine. I’ve been having severe headaches, nausea, and my anxiety is so bad. Please be very aware of taking this medicine."

• Use...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Was given Bactrim for my UTI. Read online reviews and was terrified of taking it, especially since I had a severe allergic reaction to Cipro years ago. Literally nothing happened. Some mild stomach issues, a small headache here and there, and tons of anxiety (my own doing) but it went pretty well. Symptoms of UTI went away in a day or less. Don't read reviews...you don't know other people's bodies and what conditions they have that contribute to their side effects."

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2021

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Gave me severe anxiety. I felt like I was psychotic. Panic attack where I could barely even talk, eyes were bugging out. I am not a mentally ill person in any way and I have never felt this way before in my life the way this pill made me feel. I almost didn’t know it was the drug until I checked this website and read that everyone and their mothers have experienced severe anxiety caused by this pill. Doctor told me it doesn’t cause anxiety to continue taking it today, so it looks like I won’t be listening to them after reading a webpage full of people with complaints of severe anxiety and panic. I also definitely felt like I was losing myself/my mind without knowing why, as someone has mentioned here before. It’s tricky because physically I have not had issues with this pill. I was not sick from it, so I thought everything was going well, but it really messed with my brain. Do not take this."

• Wow...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I was on this drug for only 2 days until I had the worst stomach pains ever, like it knocked the wind out of me. I had severe diarrhea with mucus and blood that lasted for weeks after discontinued use. It has been a month and I still have nausea with severe abdominal pains, headaches, anxiety, light sensitivity, white bumps on my gums. I’m scared that my organs are damaged, which I am currently being tested for. I have never had any of these symptoms before and was perfectly healthy! I am young too. This drug RUINED my life. I would rate this drug in the negatives if I could. Should not be allowed to be prescribed!"

• Gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I am on the last day of a seven-day course of this combo antibiotic sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim. The infection has cleared up (UTI) but my anxiety has been amplified tenfold, as well as having hot flushes, a hard time concentrating, fatigue, and extreme depression. I would recommend that anyone who has a preexisting anxiety disorder or depression request a different antibiotic as sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim seems to make anxiety a lot worse. I feel miserable right now."

• Lau...
• January 8, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim for a UTI. I felt fine the first day. By day 2, I experienced horrible symptoms or side effects. I was having severe anxiety, nausea, increased heart rate, and shaking in my body. I called my doctor, and she said to continue taking it, but after reading all of these reviews, I've decided to stop taking the antibiotics. It's so scary to see so many other women going through the same thing!"

• Cel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "3 days into the course, and I am experiencing: 1. Very bad dizzy spells. 2. Feelings of great weakness. 3. Feelings of great anxiety. 4. Feelings like I am dying. 5. My head & stomach are aching up a storm. 6. I am nauseated & vomiting. 7. Vagina burning, that started on the second day. I HAVE had Bactrim before for UTIs but have NEVER experienced what I am with this darn one. My question is what have they put/added into the drug to make me react in such a horrid nasty way?"

• sti...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Worst antibiotic ever. Felt like I was losing my mind for the 5 out of 10 prescribed days I took it. I thought about death constantly, and had severe anxiety/panic attacks. I felt high, like I was out of body. Weird, awful dreams. I am usually able to calm myself and just zen out, but not on this stuff. I literally asked God to take care of my son and husband when I die due to death-obsessed thoughts. Please ask for a different medicine if you can. Scary stuff."

• Vga...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Had not read side effects, so did not realize what I felt was caused by the med. My first day on Bactrim, I had side effects of feeling achy and depressed. By day 3, I was shaking, shivering, anxious, and insomnia. By day 5, nausea, dizziness, 100 heart rate, very low blood pressure, extreme anxiety. Pain everywhere, pain in my kidneys, very dehydrated, painful muscle spasms. Day 6, was going to go to the emergency room when I realized it could be the Bactrim and read side effects. Find it difficult to believe a doctor would give this to anyone. It was horrible."

• Vga...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Had not read side effects, so did not realize what I felt was caused by the med. My first day on Bactrim, I had side effects of feeling achy and depressed. By day 3, I was shaking, shivering, anxious, and insomnia. By day 5, nausea, dizziness, 100 heart rate, very low blood pressure, extreme anxiety. Pain everywhere, pain in my kidneys, very dehydrated, painful muscle spasms. Day 6, was going to go to the emergency room when I realized it could be the Bactrim and read side effects. Find it difficult to believe a doctor would give this to anyone. It was horrible."

• Len...
• September 2, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "This antibiotic is very effective at clearing most bacterial infections quickly. You'll usually feel improvements within 48 hours. But, as a bunch of other reviews have stated, Bactrim gave me terrible anxiety and had my heart pounding out of my chest for 10 hours straight. Sleeping is nearly impossible. So, 10/10 efficacy but 1/10 for side effects. I wouldn't take it again unless my life depended on it."

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "This Bactrim stuff is awful! Taking for a UTI. I am used to taking Cipro, but have stopped due to the nasty side effects of that one. Have been taking the Bactrim for the UTIs instead. Every time I take this stuff, I feel weak and dizzy, my head hurts so bad, and I get antsy and stir crazy. I don't want to eat or sleep, and the nausea can be overwhelming. This stuff makes me feel like I am going to fade away and die. Once the medication wears off, I feel much better, but then it's time to take another dose, and it starts all over again. Ugh! It gets rid of the painful infection, but I just feel so awful while I am on this stuff."

• Lay...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 9, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "Started taking this sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim antibiotic for a cyst. About two days in, I became very ill with fever and extreme fatigue, horrible headaches, vomiting, and crippling anxiety and panic attacks. I have never had such a traumatic episode of fear and panic as the 6 days it took me to realize it may be the Bactrim making me sick. I thought I was going actually insane until I read these reviews. I took one earlier before I found this and honestly am considering going to the hospital to see if they can help me in any way. I feel so bad."

• Kd0...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "I took Bactrim for a gum infection. It got rid of the infection, and I felt better fast, however, it gave me anxiety and a panic attack. If I had to take it, I would, but if there are other options, I would recommend going with one of those. I also had a pounding heart and leg pain."

• Bja...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "Worst medication ever. My anxiety is through the roof. I am freezing most of the time when I’m not drenched in sweat. Heart rate is racing. Can’t sleep due to the horrible feeling of not waking. It’s like the spins but different. I swear I was seeing the light! I would be listening to my husband tell me to drink the water next to me, but I couldn’t respond or move. It was like I was paralyzed. Very terrifying. If at all costs, please find an alternative antibiotic. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy... pure torture. I am prescribed it for 14 days twice daily, and I’m only on day 3."

• Anonymous
• October 9, 2009

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I never had an allergic reaction until I took this medication. Now I learned the hard way I'm allergic to sulfa drugs. After one dose, I had a lot of serious side effects: high fever, intense stomach pain, insomnia, hallucinations, anxiety, non-stop chills/shaking, vomiting, and rash. Needless to say, I ended up in the hospital for 3 days. I think that you need to be careful when taking the drug and be aware of all the serious side effects."

• Dai...
• February 24, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "I read the reviews, but I really wished I would’ve listened. It seems like it’s helping cure my staph infection, but the side effects aren’t worth it. Maybe the medication was too strong of a dose, but I had to take 800 mg/160 mg 2x a day for 10 days. I’m writing my review as I’m taking this medication, it’s making my heart race, it’s making me dizzy and lightheaded, jittery, messing with my stomach, confused, and headaches are off the wall. I’m drinking plenty of water and eating plenty of food. I’m also breastfeeding, and it seems like it’s making my son sick. He was fine until I started taking it, and now he’s vomiting, very fussy, has low fevers, and is sleeping on and off all day. We’re not around people too much, so it’s highly unlikely he got sick from somewhere else. I stopped taking it after the third day. I had to call an ambulance because I was home alone with my baby and I felt so off, and my heart was racing all day."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "This drug is terrible! Run if the doctor prescribes this. Day 1, I had a headache and aches to my kidneys. Like I could literally feel the pain in my kidneys! I felt bloated, vomiting, fever of 101, pain in my kidneys, jittery, and chills. Please, please don't take it. The ratio of the ones that had no symptoms to the ones who did is a big difference! I took it for 2 days, then threw the rest down the toilet. The ONLY good thing was I took 1 dose, and the next day felt relief... but still... eff this stuff!"

• Sin...
• September 13, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim DS for a UTI. I drank a full glass of water with every dose and continued to drink large amounts of water throughout the day. I also made sure to take this on a full stomach. I’m a healthy 26-year-old female and this is my first UTI. After taking Bactrim for 24 hours, I experienced severe side effects. I had debilitating kidney pain and lower back pain, severe gas, foamy explosive diarrhea, bloating, racing heart rate, severe anxiety (almost to the point of paranoia), and brain fog. I could not even hold a simple conversation. I felt like I was dying. After reading many reviews online, I discovered these same side effects have affected so many others while taking Bactrim. Once the drug was out of my system and I discontinued use, these side effects subsided. This antibiotic may work for some, but be aware of the possible severe side effects when you are assessing the risk of taking Bactrim."

• ema...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "My anxiety and mental health were under control until I got a mild UTI and was prescribed Bactrim. My heart rate skyrocketed for days, it induced panic attacks. I had no idea what was happening to me until I looked up the reviews and realized I was reacting to the Bactrim. My heart rate reached 130 bpm at one point, and I went to the doctor to have my heart checked. I took 4 doses and will never take this again. It ruined my life. Two weeks later, I’m still recovering from the anxiety it caused. I am angry this medication was prescribed to me."

• sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "This antibiotic combination medicine sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim is awful. The first two doses I was okay, but then I started having really bad anxiety and I couldn’t sleep. My stomach felt like it was in knots, and I had shortness of breath. I felt like I was coming down from meth!! I do not recommend this."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (SMZ/TMP) twice a day for 7 days for a UTI. I have one pill left, almost all the symptoms are gone. The first day I took the pill, I was extremely sleepy. Every day after that, I had a horrible headache in the back of my head and a stiff neck that came and went every few hours, also brought on by light sensitivity. Nausea, out of breath at times, cold sweat on exertion, and jittery."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "I am 30. I recently had a vasectomy, which caused an infection while healing. Doctor prescribed Bactrim. I noticed after my nightly dosage, I would constantly wake up like I previously would when having an anxiety attack. I thought it was just due to outside stress, but after reading this page, I see it may have been increased by this medication. I wish I would have known sooner. Bactrim helped with my ailments but also made me use the last of my emergency Xanax in the process."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "This sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is by far the worst medicine. I was prescribed this medicine. It works great, but the side effects are not worth it, stop taking it immediately. On day 3 of taking it every 12 hours, almost 10 minutes later, irregular heartbeat (fast-paced), an increase/enhancement in normal anxiety, shortness of breath, fever flushing (random hot/cold flashes), constant thoughts of death (not suicidal). This medicine is a poison. Ask your doctor for a different medication or do natural remedies."

• Kit...
• May 10, 2014

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim and felt worse right away. After reading the side effects, I told myself that what I was feeling was normal. I took the prescribed dosage (2 per day) for 5 days, feeling even worse on the 5th day - shaky, diarrhea, headache, nervousness, unable to sleep. Then, after some research, I discovered that there also were interaction side effects with my blood pressure medications."