Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• gnm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "Yikes! I deal with chronic sinusitis. I’ve had two surgeries because of it, so I have to take an antibiotic every so often to cure it. Now, I’ve taken Bactrim before, yes, it’s made me so sick in the past I couldn’t even finish it. But I’ve had to take it again due to a bad sinus infection. Worse than I remember! Day 2 of taking it, I end up in the ER because my anxiety is through the roof, I can’t sleep, I am moody, loss of appetite, a bit confused, nauseous, like I’m here but not here, death thoughts (not suicidal, just a lot of thought around it), and just not feeling like myself. The ER doctor told me I need to see a crisis nurse because it couldn’t be the Bactrim, but my ENT definitely has said it. Can’t wait for this to flush out of my system. I’m so glad there are lots of reviews to beware. This is absolutely terrible!"

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Never again. It has been only 2 days. I'm already dizzy, fatigued, anxiety-ridden, and it's 2 a.m., and my heart won't stop racing! I've had the jitters all day and very unpleasant heart palpitations that feel like my heart is going to explode. Also, I can't sleep."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "While the antibiotic combo sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim drug did the trick for my staph infection, it wasn’t without a terrible time. I had a panic attack and confusion while I was driving with my pregnant wife. I knew it wasn’t a stroke, but it still scared me enough to go straight to the E.R. to get checked out. My anxiety was through the roof my entire time I was on the medication. I knew the medication was causing this, so I used breathing exercises to get me through my 10 days. I will never take this stuff again."

• Ver...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "Do not take this drug - worst prescription experience of my life. Insomnia, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts coming from someone who has never struggled with severe mental illness. Also experienced uncontrollable chills at night. Went off after first panic attack, which was the night of day 2 taking the medicine."

• Jak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "Prescribed Bactrim for sore throat after taking Amoxicillin for 4 days (culture test indicated that Amoxicillin would not work for the bacteria found). At first, side effects included drowsiness, weakness, confusion, overall sluggishness, severe anxiety, rapid heart rate, and insomnia. I am on day 5 of 7 and have regained strength and have less confusion/drowsiness; however, the anxiety, increased heart rate, and insomnia are still present. I have woken up twice in the middle of the night with a rapid heart rate, anxiety, sweats, and an inability to fall back asleep. Hopefully, this will cease to be a problem once I complete the course. This antibiotic is definitely not for me, and I will opt for an alternative should I ever need it again. I gave it a 3 (instead of 1) because I believe it has helped with the infection; however, the side effects are awful for me."

• Anonymous
• September 17, 2010

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Took this for 3 days. 2nd day got severe itching on palms and soles of feet. Day three had uncontrollable shakes, heart racing, felt like it was going to come out of my chest, facial numbness, dizzy, very elevated (for me) blood pressure of 145/90, whole body tingling, dizziness, lightheaded, extremely intense nervousness, ringing in my ears."

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

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "This is my first and last time I will ever take it. Now, firstly, some people have good experiences with this med, so it's all up to your body. My body said no. The headaches are bad, the rapid heartbeat scared me, and the restlessness was awful, and it made me jittery/nervous. I took the whole dose. You will not know how your body will react to this med until you try it. I have a friend that took it, and she was fine and swore by it, her body makeup is different than mine."

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

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "This is my first and last time I will ever take it. Now, firstly, some people have good experiences with this med, so it's all up to your body. My body said no. The headaches are bad, the rapid heartbeat scared me, and the restlessness was awful, and it made me jittery/nervous. I took the whole dose. You will not know how your body will react to this med until you try it. I have a friend that took it, and she was fine and swore by it, her body makeup is different than mine."

• JDK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2021

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Okay, here is my story..... I'm 3 days in, and after the first dose, I felt amazing. The next day, even better. Today, not so good, I have had sweats at least thrice and stomach pains with burping constantly. My tongue is actually peeling. I have had no appetite throughout the course of 3 days thus far!!! I'm stopping it in fear of something even worse happening!! I cannot take my daily runs on this medication. Anxiety is high, and my mouth hurts!!! I had sepsis 21 months ago, which started with a UTI, and several antibiotics do not agree with me!!! I will update as time goes on. Right now, I want my mouth to stop hurting!!! I would be very cautious if you are prescribed this medication!!"

• Bek...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Cured my UTI but gave me insomnia, anxiety, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle and joint pain all over my body, and pins/needles feeling all over my body. Ended up going to the hospital for the side effects. So I would not, in any circumstance, recommend this antibiotic."

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "Bactrim just about killed me. The worst medicine ever. It cleared up my skin infection from a bug bite after two days of taking it, but I had to stop it immediately after being hospitalized from severe insomnia, horrible anxiety, body aches, heart palpitations, the list goes on. I would never take this again. Although it did its job, it also has made my life a nightmare. It has been a week since I stopped taking it, and I still feel terrible. Please think twice about taking this."

• Suz...
• September 15, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I went to urgent care for unbearable pain from a UTI, and they put me on Bactrim. This made me feel awful. Lots of anxiety and panic attacks, and constantly feeling dizzy like the room was spinning and like I was going to fall down and pass out. Felt very shaky on day 5. Also experienced neck pain and pain in my lower back. Also experienced headaches. It cleared up the UTI but had horrible side effects. I’m someone who also has neurological Lyme disease, so the left side of my jaw just goes into spasm when I have a flare-up, which is another painful condition I live with, and I’ve taken many other antibiotics for Lyme and for sinus issues, but I’ve never experienced symptoms like this."

• Jam...
• June 28, 2017

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "I'm currently 15 months out from taking 2 pills of Bactrim, and it was the worst side effects of my life. It started with uncontrollable anxiety and depression. I didn't feel connected with reality, and I felt very confused. By the second night, I was unable to sleep, and that is still plaguing me. I shook the anxiety and depression within a few weeks, but my sleep didn't become bearable for about 7 months, and then it was still terrible. To this day, I have poor quality sleep, confusion, and occasionally onset insomnia. Avoid this drug. I also had a similar reaction to Levoquin. It gets better, just ridiculously slowly. Others recover within days."

• Joe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2016

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Started taking Cipro for a bladder infection but had some bad side effects in the tendon in my right hand. Went back to the Dr. and he gave me Bactrim (Septra). I took it for 3 days in total before I had to stop. The symptoms literally made me feel like I was dying. I had a really foggy head, headaches, dizziness, I almost passed out one day. I got zero sleep the whole time I was on it. My joints hurt in the night, my skin got really itchy and developed a rash, I also developed extreme anxiety and I felt like I was having a heart attack with the palpitations. I was close to panic attack, that's when I said enough is enough. I've never had a reaction like that and I have trouble remembering those days. It was a blur of pain and confusion."

• Anonymous
• September 23, 2011

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "I have only had this medicine twice. The first time was without reaction. The second time, however, I did experience trembling, weakness, especially in my legs, anxiety, and an itchy rash on my forearms. Not pleasant at all!"

• Cap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Horrible, horrible medication. I was put on a 7-day course of Bactrim for a fairly mild UTI by local urgent care, and the day after starting my dosage, I experienced SEVERE heightened anxiety, panic attacks, low fever, back tension and pain, uncontrollable shaking, and insomnia. Some hallucinations and nausea as well. After day three, I couldn’t take it any longer and stopped taking it— most of the severe symptoms went away within 24 hours, but it’s been almost 3 days since quitting, and my muscle pain and anxiety are still far worse than they were before taking Bactrim."

• Tri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I have a lot of medical issues and take a lot of medications, and feel I have a stomach of steel because nothing really bothers me. Anyway, my doctor prescribed this antibiotic to me for a UTI...twice a day for 3 days. Doesn’t say the mg on the bottle, so I have no idea. Anyway, the first day I did okay, the second, not so much. I woke up feeling very antsy and anxious, like I needed my next “fix,” and I am one who has never smoked even a cigarette in my entire life, let alone any type of pot or illegal drugs to get high, so this feeling was very unsettling for me. My head hurt horribly and felt very fuzzy and dizzy. I was sure I must have contracted the Coronavirus, but no temperature and otherwise fine. I roughed it out the 3 days but felt like rubbish the whole time, only today, 5 days after my last dose, did I wake up without the fuzzy, needing my next fix feeling. I still have a headache, but thank God the other side effects are wearing off. I will never take this medication again :("

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 4, 2021

For Diverticulitis "We all agree, this medication is horrible. I have to take it for recurring bouts of diverticulitis, along with Flagyl. I refuse to take Cipro because it ruins ligaments. I have found some things that help. Powerade Zero is a lifesaver because Bactrim tanks your electrolytes. I buy a 12-pack when I have to take Bactrim. Take this medication with food and drink plenty of filtered water. Eat sugar-free yogurt. Chobani Zero is good. Eat a clean diet as much as you can. Take a probiotic 2 hours before or two hours after you take Bactrim. It will do no good taking it at the same time. If you develop yeast (I always do), despite taking a probiotic, you can use caprylic acid gel caps. Make sure you take the probiotics at least a month as Bactrim stays in your system 1-2 weeks. CBD oil helps with the insomnia, nausea, and anxiety it causes. Soda crackers are good for the nausea. Hydrate with Powerade daily! Move your bowels regularly. Prunelax helps! Hope this helps! Hang in there!"

• Lu1...
• May 30, 2017

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I had a UTI, finished an entire prescription of Macrobid. I noticed as soon as I finished the meds, my UTI symptoms came back - so it didn't work for me. I then tried Bactrim. The pain went away after 1.5 days of being on Bactrim, which was a huge relief, but it is now day 4 and I am suffering from nausea, cold sweats, chills, insomnia, and anxiety. It works for your UTI, but the side effects are unbearable after a few days."

• Gil...
• August 25, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Kidney Infections "(18 yr/o female) I was prescribed this medication after winding up at the emergency room with extreme pain in my right side. After further investigation, it turned out to be a kidney cyst that had become severely infected and was getting bled into. I was more than willing to start the medication. I had currently been at Mayo Clinic getting tests done for severe stomach nausea and pain. Yet on the third day of this antibiotic, I was miserable. I figured it was my previous stomach issues, yet it got worse and worse. I spent day 3 by the toilet, thinking I was going to be sick with a low fever. After that, I lost my appetite completely and had this awful twisting spasm start in my upper gut. This spiraled into severe depression, anxiety, and not being able to sleep at night. It has kicked my cyst (hopefully), but I am on day 7 after being prescribed for 14 days, and I don't know how much more I can take. Good luck to anyone who can brave this medicine."

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I have a boil on my backside. It got bad in 2 days. Doctor said he thought it was MRSA, so he started me on 160 mg sulfamethoxazole, 2 pills twice a day. They appear to be helping a little, but I have hot flashes, low fever, body aches, tinnitus, no stamina, and I am extremely anxious, tired, and panicky. This is the worst I've ever felt on any drug!"

• Rev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2018

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "It helped my simple UTI almost immediately and completely, but I had side effects that I've never experienced with any other drug. My face was extremely red (like a bright, painful red that felt like a bad sunburn) all over for the entire time, plus a week after I stopped taking it. I felt extremely anxious and jittery, and I didn't get a good night of sleep for a week after I stopped this med. I should add that I had all these side effects when I only took the drug for 3 days! I've never experienced side effects with other antibiotics. I believe this is a sulfa-containing drug, and I guess I must have a sulfa allergy."

• Rev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2018

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "It helped my simple UTI almost immediately and completely, but I had side effects that I've never experienced with any other drug. My face was extremely red (like a bright, painful red that felt like a bad sunburn) all over for the entire time, plus a week after I stopped taking it. I felt extremely anxious and jittery, and I didn't get a good night of sleep for a week after I stopped this med. I should add that I had all these side effects when I only took the drug for 3 days! I've never experienced side effects with other antibiotics. I believe this is a sulfa-containing drug, and I guess I must have a sulfa allergy."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Was prescribed Bactrim for UTI when first med did not work. 3rd day in, feeling better until 2nd dose taken. Began to feel nausea, dizzy, fatigue, terrible anxiety, unable to sleep or relax. Felt like I was going crazy. Also had constipation, back and stomach pain as well. Almost went to ER. This med is horrible. Never again!"

• L93...
• April 19, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "Got this for a UTI. Literally took 2 pills so far, and I'm already planning to stop taking it. It's 2:30 a.m., and I cannot fall asleep, but I am so tired, I am shaking uncontrollably and am having extreme anxiety along with nausea. Helped with the symptoms of my UTI so far, but not worth the side effects."