Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Nub...
• December 14, 2017

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Horrible! I will tell you it does work for a UTI. My UTI is almost gone, but the side effects are terrible. I was doing fine with the medication the first day, and now today is my second day. Currently, I am at work, jittery, having chills, I had two panic attacks, and today I just started having migraines. I am only on this for three days. I have two more pills left. Tried to make it, but I don't think I can handle this while working. Not so much dizziness for me, just making me really tired. I will be staying on Cephalexin."

• Bac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2022

For Pneumonia "I was prescribed this for pneumonia for a 2 pills a day x 10 day regimen. I thought I was going crazy, and I have never had antibiotics affect me in this way. I am incredibly anxious, very lethargic, and depressed, I couldn’t drive from the infection and then from the drugs. They definitely affect your appetite and cause a continuous low-grade fever. It is now day 6, and I think the infection is better, but I would never take these again unless necessary. It’s not fun to have a drug that is supposed to help affect other aspects of your life, like not constantly being on the verge of an anxiety attack 24/7 or wanting to scream. If the benefits outweigh the side effects, then go for it, otherwise, stay clear, please!!"

• Mr ...
• June 21, 2018

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Three abscesses, or boils, in my upper and inner thigh, and one of them was just not okay, cellulitis over about half the front of my thigh. So I have to go to the doctor. I'm prescribed sulfamethoxazole. It works. Really, really works. After just a day, I notice the infection retreating. But oh my golly, the side effects. I still have three days left of taking two tablets a day, and the course is 20 days (bad infection), and my head is off. I take medication very well. Nothing bothers me. This stuff gives me brief headaches, anxiety, nervousness, reduces inhibition, affects my reasoning, makes me cloudy, and exaggerates my personality. I do not like the way it makes me feel. I'm an alcoholic, and I can drink on it, but I'm pretty sure it shoots my blood pressure up, especially if I smoke, and it will cause extreme but brief nausea with alcohol. I don't get put off things easily. I have to work, and it works, if you're infected, it kills the hell out of infection. But this is the roughest antibiotic I've ever taken. Ultimately, worth it."

• Mr ...
• June 21, 2018

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Three abscesses, or boils, in my upper and inner thigh, and one of them was just not okay, cellulitis over about half the front of my thigh. So I have to go to the doctor. I'm prescribed sulfamethoxazole. It works. Really, really works. After just a day, I notice the infection retreating. But oh my golly, the side effects. I still have three days left of taking two tablets a day, and the course is 20 days (bad infection), and my head is off. I take medication very well. Nothing bothers me. This stuff gives me brief headaches, anxiety, nervousness, reduces inhibition, affects my reasoning, makes me cloudy, and exaggerates my personality. I do not like the way it makes me feel. I'm an alcoholic, and I can drink on it, but I'm pretty sure it shoots my blood pressure up, especially if I smoke, and it will cause extreme but brief nausea with alcohol. I don't get put off things easily. I have to work, and it works, if you're infected, it kills the hell out of infection. But this is the roughest antibiotic I've ever taken. Ultimately, worth it."

• JBa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2019

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Let me preface this review by saying that I have now been taking Bactrim for 51 days for a staph skin infection. From all indications, it seems as if the staph infection has been eradicated, which is awesome. However, the side effects of this antibiotic have been nearly unbearable. After about 12 hours of taking this life-altering wonder drug, I started having major anxiety issues in addition to the gastrointestinal distress. Over the course of the last 7 weeks, I have had panic attacks, insomnia, odd joint pains, and annoying neck and shoulder stiffness. All in all, I can't not recommend this antibiotic because it is effective. However, if you are able to take a different antibiotic, please do that."

• DPR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2023

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "I have not had a good experience using Bactrim. The first day's dosage caused no side effects, however, by day 6, I had headaches, severe heartburn, nausea, chills, severe muscle weakness, depression, anxiety, and generally felt unwell. I took each dose with a full glass of water and a full stomach, as recommended. I am supposed to take this for 4 more days, but I will call my doctor for an alternative treatment."

• mpa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Ohh my Bactrim DS... I pity the people who may have to take these medications in the future. It's bad!!! The side effects kicked in after 3 days. I got really bad anxiety, and the stomach aches and indigestion were BAD!!! Skin rash was also itchy. Took forever to clear my UTI!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "If I could give sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim a “0” rating, I would do so. This drug sent me to the ER, only to find out that it caused my kidneys to shut down. I only took 3 doses, then started having full-body itching, severe anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. I went to the ER, and after lots of tests, it was determined that this drug, along with the severe dehydration it caused, put me into kidney failure. Thank goodness we caught it in time for it to reverse, but my kidney function was only at 20%. I recommend never taking this drug!"

• Jbo...
• October 27, 2022

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "Ugh, this medicine is the absolute worst I’ve ever experienced in my life. I know everyone is different, but my experience was brutal! Horrible dizziness, nausea, anxiety through the roof, chills, sweats, memory loss. I literally freaked out on the nurse helping me. I screamed, “I’m having a stroke!” It was like something came over me, like an out-of-body sensation. I got really dizzy, and it went blurry. Scary symptoms to have! Hopefully, nothing lingers. My doctor has to look up side effects because he said he didn’t know of many and was surprised to find nervousness, psychosis, and hallucinations being possible. Freaky experience! So now I am out on clindamycin for the MRSA."

• Jbo...
• October 27, 2022

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "Ugh, this medicine is the absolute worst I’ve ever experienced in my life. I know everyone is different, but my experience was brutal! Horrible dizziness, nausea, anxiety through the roof, chills, sweats, memory loss. I literally freaked out on the nurse helping me. I screamed, “I’m having a stroke!” It was like something came over me, like an out-of-body sensation. I got really dizzy, and it went blurry. Scary symptoms to have! Hopefully, nothing lingers. My doctor has to look up side effects because he said he didn’t know of many and was surprised to find nervousness, psychosis, and hallucinations being possible. Freaky experience! So now I am out on clindamycin for the MRSA."

• Tgl...
• November 14, 2018

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Today was my first day taking it for a UTI, which I feel as if it went away. It’s only been about an hour, and I do not feel well at all. I’m dizzy and drowsy and everything. Cold sweats, it’s like my whole body is just weak. I can’t take it. It throws me into an anxiety attack. It’s like taking this medicine makes everything worse."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2015

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I took a form of this medication a couple of years ago (Septra, which has the same ingredients), and it cleared up my UTI, although I thought it was a little slow to fully work. So when I got a UTI about a week ago suddenly, I asked my doc to prescribe it for me again, only this time it was Bactrim. I'm funny with antibiotics, I don't like taking them, and I have a very sensitive stomach, so I like to stick with what works. Took it again this time and noticed my symptoms improved, then got bad again. I had two side effects this time: loss of appetite and jittery feeling. I went back to my doc, and my urine sample still showed white blood cells, so they sent my sample out to be cultured for a better prescription. It helped but didn't cure it."

• Ran...
• June 27, 2018

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I was given a 3-day prescription to treat a UTI. After taking the first dose, I noticed I felt a little anxious, but went to bed. I woke up about 3 hours later with a rapid heartbeat, mild nausea, cold sweat, restlessness. This continued for about 6 more hours. I was able to drink plenty of liquid to try to flush it out of me, which worked pretty well. Twelve hours later, I feel a lot more normal, but now tired from the experience. I won't take this again. This reaction was worse than my symptoms of the UTI."

• ASa...
• April 8, 2021

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim 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."

• Mic...
• February 13, 2021

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "No, no, no! I’m almost through with the 10 days of taking Bactrim. This medication makes me extremely anxious, panicky, and jittery! My blood pressure is extremely high as well! And I already have panic/anxiety disorders and high blood pressure! It was literally driving me insane! I would not recommend it to anyone who has an anxiety disorder or high blood pressure! It also took forever to work! It's awful. Please research it carefully before taking it. Talk to your doctor!"

• Mic...
• February 13, 2021

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "No, no, no! I’m almost through with the 10 days of taking Bactrim. This medication makes me extremely anxious, panicky, and jittery! My blood pressure is extremely high as well! And I already have panic/anxiety disorders and high blood pressure! It was literally driving me insane! I would not recommend it to anyone who has an anxiety disorder or high blood pressure! It also took forever to work! It's awful. Please research it carefully before taking it. Talk to your doctor!"

• Ean...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2018

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Asked to be prescribed this because I was prescribed it a year and a half ago for a UTI and did not have any side effects. This time around, where I am only on day two and the symptoms of the UTI have, for the most part, cleared, I have experienced debilitating headaches, constant fatigue, and had some anxiety yesterday morning. Luckily, I have become better with reducing my anxiety, but it does not matter how much water or food I intake, the headaches are just lingering and hover only on one side of my head over my eye. I also experienced a period of nausea so far. I am supposed to be on this for another five days and am hoping I will only need to be on for another few instead. I don't think I can complete the prescription with the borderline migraines I have been getting."

• Boo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "Holy cow. So I am on my 4th UTI in 5 months, and this is the first time I have been on Bactrim, and NEVER AGAIN will I take this. The side effects are not worth it. Intense racing thoughts and anxiety within 1-2 hours of taking it. Feeling super dizzy and wobbly. Feeling like you are moving too fast/whiplash, intense depression, demotivation. One day I had chills and a slight fever. Appetite suppressed/food/water aversion. Made me sick to my stomach just to drink water. Exhausted during the day but insomnia. I gave it a 3 because it is working to get rid of my UTI, but wow, it has taken my week. I'm going to fail my finals because I was so out of my mind on this medication."

• RGa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2021

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Awful!! Had a 5-day/10-pill prescription of Bactrim for a UTI. Just thought I was lethargic the first day, but later that night my hands were shaking, heart beating fast, which induced a full anxiety attack. Kept taking the pills. Fast forward to day 4 and my head was so foggy I felt like I was a walking zombie, and the shakes got so bad I had to go to urgent care. No appetite whatsoever. Cleared up the UTI but avoid at all costs!!"

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2021

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "I am sharing my experience because I want others to know there is hope for recovering from the extremely rare and life-changing side effects that happened to me on Bactrim. I took it for 3 weeks for recurring acne cysts that kept forming behind my ear that started with an abscess being drained in front of my ear. The first week I felt okay, but by the 2nd, I could hardly eat and felt depressed and anxious. I quit taking it, and the cysts kept coming, so the dermatologist told me to keep taking it to clear up the infection. At 3 weeks, I woke up with knee joint pain, and a couple days later, I noticed my calves got very sore from doing normal things. I immediately quit the Bactrim, but it was too late. A week later, the pain was worse, and I was very scared. I had every blood test done, MRIs on my knee and calf, and everything was normal. I got worse as the months progressed, and finally, 6 months later, I began to feel better. I had to quit my amazing job and was in the most depressed state. I'm healthy and 31 female."

• Cel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "The worst antibiotic I have ever taken in my life... beware! Severe anxiety, dizziness, head felt itchy, fatigued, sensitive to light, weak, no appetite. The worst feeling of my life!! Honestly. I have an infant and am a stay-at-home mom, I felt like I was losing control and felt helpless that I could hardly take care of and interact with my child. Awful, awful drug, I mean it! Still coming down after just 2 days of use, today is the 2nd day of not taking it. I pray I feel back to normal ASAP! Hugs to anyone going through something similar."

• And...
• June 29, 2017

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Started taking it 3 days ago, and the first thing I noticed was a huge increase in anxiety. I have anxiety already, but this medication made it horrible. Started on it for an infected pimple, and it's helped that. Honestly, it's not worth having tons of panic attacks, trouble breathing, weird taste in mouth, and even depression. It works on infection but not worth it for me."

• Rev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2024

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have been taking this for 3 days so far and have zero side effects! It also has improved my symptoms so far. I know there are a lot of bad reviews, but personally, I have not felt it myself. I also have bad IST and POTS, so the feeling of anxiety, dizziness, etc., is my normal everyday life, but I don’t feel like it’s been worsened. I would take this over cipro if given the option again. Remember to drink a lot of electrolytes and eat a meal with each pill!! This can make a huge difference."

• see...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2018

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Taking sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim for a boil. I'm now on the second day of 5 days of treatment. I had extreme shakiness, which I thought was hypoglycemia. On day 3, I realized that it was anxiety attacks. I've had them before, and they are the worst. I'm sorry for those of you who experienced them also, but I am glad I am not the only one and not just 'crazy,' so to speak. It did work for my infection, though, but I do not think I will ever take it again. The worst!!"

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2022

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "I was prescribed this for a boil. Do not take this drug if you're on an antidepressant. I took this Friday, and by Monday, I started to get extreme anxiety and depression, lightheaded, dizzy, nausea, stomach problems. I stopped taking it Monday morning, and today, Tuesday morning, I’m still feeling the effects, but they are lessening. Talk to the doctor about another antibiotic."