Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim and Fever: What Users Say

• 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."

• Ril...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2021

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "I had a breast infection and was prescribed this terrible medicine. It needs to be off the market. I felt real bad the second day taking it. It caused a fever, rash, headache, sharp pains throughout my body, no appetite, shakiness, dizziness, and numbness. I felt so out of it, it scared me so bad I stopped taking it. The Bactrim medicine is too strong. I definitely wouldn’t recommend!"

• 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."

• 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!"

• Anonymous
• December 20, 2011

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "This was not right for me. I had a severe reaction while taking this and had to go to the emergency room. Racing/irregular heartbeat, nausea, shaky legs felt weird, red blotches, slurring speech, red eyes, feverish, and generally felt very unwell."

• Jes...
• May 19, 2014

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Felt mild relief. Doc said it should be gone in 3 days, gave me enough to take it for 5 days in case it was not gone. I also experienced fevers and achiness. Not pleasant. Every day I had discomfort, and today I am out of it and feel terrible with my urinary tract symptoms again."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "Started on this sulfate antibiotic, Bactrim, 2 days ago for an infected sebaceous cyst. Several hours after taking the first pill, I developed a 102° fever, splitting headache, muscle aches... I thought I was coming down with the flu. The second day, the same thing happened... fever, muscle aches, severe headache again. Took some Tylenol and crawled into bed for the entire afternoon. I’m not going to take tonight’s pill and call the doctor in the morning for a different antibiotic. I’ve never had reactions like this to any antibiotics I have taken in the past."

• Des...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2016

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "They prescribed Bactrim to me, worst thing ever. Ended up in the hospital, body aches, fever, insomnia... & went to the hospital. Ended up with a low blood count, ran all kinds of tests. It was just awful. I will never take this again, and it's been about a month, and I'm still not 100% better. I will never take this ever again!"

• BWa...
• February 19, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Meningitis "The ER doctor prescribed him Bactrim to help with the forever ear infection. My son was taking the antibiotics for 2 weeks when he began experiencing symptoms like meningitis. He complained of his head hurting, stiff neck, back pain, sore throat, fever, and stomach ache. Took him to the ER, they did blood work and different tests and found nothing wrong. The doctor sent me home, told me to continue the antibiotics. I gave it to him again, and again the same reaction. I stopped giving it to him, and he broke out with this massive rash that burned and itched. He itched for a week. I did research on this drug and found out this drug can cause aseptic meningitis, I was poisoning my kid! On further research, I found this drug can alter blood tests so that they would not know to look for meningitis. The scariest part is the medical professionals missed this and told me to keep giving this poison to my child. I hate this drug! It is the worst drug to give anyone! I paid $151 to poison my child."

• Bat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "I have MRSA from a piercing and was put on Bactrim (2 in the morning, 2 in the evening) 4 days ago. After 2 days on it, I took myself to the hospital. I have never felt this horrible, I swear I feel like it's going to be the end of me. It started out with a bad headache, no appetite, a little dizzy. Right now, I'm sitting on the bathroom floor waiting to throw up, I didn't sleep for even a minute last night even though I was exhausted. I can't stop shivering and shaking, I'm so hot but not running a fever-unbelievable headache. My doctor said this is the only medicine that will help MRSA, and I'm dumbfounded. Is this medication even worth it? I don't know if these feelings are the medication working or not."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I took Bactrim for 1.5 days and stopped when the pain in my hips and lower back started. Then later, fever and chills, weakness, jaw stiffness, minor headache and neck ache, then overnight, severe diarrhea and nerve jolts shooting up from my hips. The next morning, my thighs ached, like it was moving down from my hips, minor head and neck ache, ribs felt sore. I still had hip pain and lower backache. I felt like this drug was killing me, not knowing what the heck was happening to my body, my organs. All this after only 3 pills in a super healthy, 57-year-old female body. It has been 2 weeks since I stopped this awful med and still have some hip pain but no stiffness. It is okay if I sit still usually and worse if I exercise. These and other symptoms are not the allergic reactions or side effects listed for this med, they are far more severe. Why is this drug on the market???!!!!"

• Vin...
• July 31, 2016

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I've just finished my treatment for a urinary tract infection. I no longer have any symptoms from the infection. The first 8 days of a 15-day treatment were fine with no side effects. Beginning the 9th day, I began experiencing a mild rash and itching, which seemed to begin on my chest and neck and migrated to my back. A bit of a nuisance but tolerable. Around the 11th day, I began to experience mild joint and muscle aches and a tender scalp around the base of the skull. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen have helped to overcome this, but by the 14th and 15th day, I felt like I had the flu, with no nausea but a loss of appetite. I took the last pill this morning, and by 1 PM, had to lay down with chills, aches and pains, headache, and a slight fever."

• Bac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "Prescribe Bactrim 2 days for 10 days for a stye. On the 7th day, I had my allergic reaction. All-over body rash, fever, chills, severe leg pain, chemical burns/ulcers in all soft tissue areas (nose, eyes, mouth, and 'down below'...), abdominal pain, diarrhea, zero appetite, headache, nausea, elevated kidney function test. Bactrim is known and has a long history of hurting more than helping. Stay away!!"

• 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."

• 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!"

• Jan...
• May 10, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Took Bactrim for a UTI. I had never taken it before. At day 3, I started feeling horrible, short of breath, and intense stomach pain. I had never had a UTI before, so I assumed this might be just a bad UTI. Day 6, I was shaking with chills and could not pee AT ALL. Went to the ER, I had a fever, high eosinophils, and a very elevated creatinine. Turns out I had an acute kidney injury from Bactrim. I was given fluids, and I woke up the next morning covered in the most painful drug rash. That rash lasted two weeks. Not to mention, I was put on prednisone for the rash and because I had interstitial nephritis. The prednisone drove me out of my mind. Awful experience."

• Nor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "This has been so scary. I went to doctors for a routine check-up, it turns out I have a UTI for which they prescribed Bactrim. Three days into the Bactrim, I was not feeling good-lightheaded, sick to my stomach, my head and face were burning up on fire, unbearable headache. Day 4, I ran a fever of 102.9 all day. Days 5 and 6 got worse, I couldn't even stand, couldn't sleep, the pain was unbearable from the tip of my head to the bottom of my feet. Day 7, I made it early in the morning to the doctors to see what was going on. Turns out (as the doc called it), a really drastic allergic reaction to this Bactrim. The doctor said, one more day and I would have ended up in the ICU. Today is day 8, and I'm still sitting here in excruciating pain. I called the doctor back and am waiting for an answer. I'm having trouble using my hands, and it's very painful to walk. So my suggestion is, if you feel ill after taking Bactrim, see your doctor soon."

• Fel...
• December 12, 2009

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "I was on Bactrim for 10 days because of a Bartholin cyst that tested positive for MRSA. On the 7th day, I started experiencing back pain, intermittent low-grade fevers, chills, complete fatigue, and eyeball pain. An I.D. doctor wanted me to take it for another 7 days as a precaution, but I had to force him to listen to my symptoms, and he told me to stop taking the Bactrim. Also, don't know if it matters that I'm not of 'normal' weight for most women, at 5'5", I'm 109 lbs - the symptoms I experienced were also listed as possible 'overdose'... stopped Bactrim today - feel terrible."

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "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."

• Gra...
• May 7, 2016

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "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."

• Anonymous
• April 28, 2011

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "Pain and swelling in the vicinity of my tailbone led to an emergency room visit where I had a pilonidal cyst drained. After the doctor incised and drained my cyst, he prescribed me Bactrim and Keflex. He explained that the Keflex was intended to treat the infection if it was MRSA while Bactrim would cover all other bases. A week into my 10-day course of antibiotics, I went to bed with a developing fever. In the morning, I awoke to discover that my entire body was covered in a red, splotchy rash. I immediately went to a medical professional who informed me that I was likely having a severe allergic reaction to Bactrim. I was informed that my fever and rash would persist for days to weeks and may progress to anaphylaxis."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2015

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Was prescribed Bactrim by a walk-in clinic. Should've known better. After 2 days, I experienced some awful side effects - chills, fevers, night sweats, insomnia, diarrhea, and migraines - for three days. I thought I was going to die. After I finished my prescription, I got this terrible head-to-toe rash that itches like crazy. My UTI is gone, but it was not worth the rash and three days of near death. Does anyone know what I can do for this rash?"

• KCa...
• December 12, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Took one dose of Bactrim for my UTI. Within 20 minutes, I felt really itchy. About an hour later, my chest became really tight, so I went to urgent care. I felt so sick, I couldn’t walk. I fell down on the sidewalk, throwing up on my way into the building. It caused severe vomiting and diarrhea. My heart rate was 120, and I had a fever. I ended up having to get an IV and finally felt okay enough after many hours at the hospital. I will absolutely never take this medication again."

• tal...
• February 17, 2014

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took this medicine after having many urinary tract infections in the past year. I usually am prescribed CIPRO, but this time the nurse at the minute clinic CVS told me to try this. Little did I know how much worse I was going to feel. It did help with the UTI, which then later became a yeast infection... but I became very weak, had a fever, no energy, and went numb from my knees down my legs. I could not feel circulation in my legs."

• Dra...
• March 31, 2018

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Prostatitis "Bad side effects to the extent that I had to stop after 2 days. Flu-like symptoms, bad headache, pain in muscles and joints, low fever, no energy, could not eat, nausea - you name it, I had it. Too bad as I think it was starting to knock down my bacterial prostatitis. The flu-like symptoms were so convincing that I stopped for a few days, felt better, then started again just to make certain I didn't have the flu."