Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim and Headaches: 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."

• Gir...
• February 6, 2017

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "First and foremost, I want to let you all know, reading things on the internet will not help, nor really be a good indicator of your personal reaction to any drug. There are many negative reviews here for Bactrim, and I'm on day 3 of a 10-day dose for a staph infection (cellulitis) on, of all places, the right side of my face/right ear (it's wonderful!). Here's my experience: Side Effects - Fatigue, headaches (though not consistent). I have a weaker stomach, and it's doing just fine with my probiotic (get one with 30 billion strains) and drinking lots of water/eating while taking it. The infection is clearing up. Day 3 was when I really noticed. Don't be anxious when taking this, it's definitely a mind over matter thing sometimes too."

• 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."

• 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!"

• A-T...
• June 6, 2016

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I was scared to take this because I read about people having horrifying side effects. I'm taking the generic form of Bactrim DS 2x a day for 7 days. On day 5, the only side effects I've noticed are mild gas and a headache. If you're skimming these reviews looking for reasons to be scared, just remember that most of these bad reviews are from people who are probably: A) Allergic to the medicine. B) Not drinking enough water. C) Using alcohol and non-prescription drugs which you are not supposed to do while on Bactrim. D) Not taking it with food. Take the medicine with food and a good probiotic, and it will help minimize your side effects. Drink LOTS of water and stay out of the sun while on this medicine! Not soda, not coffee, WATER."

• Cra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "I had a staph infection, and I am also on Paxil for depression. I used Bactrim for eight days and became very sick. My depression was very severe with this drug. Cold sweats, very weak, mouth issues, nerve pain in legs, headache, insomnia, and what makes it worse is that you are on a roller coaster."

• Kd0...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "I took Bactrim for 4 days. On the 4th day, I started having leg pain. The day after I quit the meds, I had all-over body aches, a low-grade temp off and on, and just a feeling of being sick. The next day, my aches went away but held on to the low-grade temp, headache, and weakness for two more days. During the course of the medication, I also had a pounding heart and no appetite. It did clear the infection though. I think I had a bad reaction and only wanted to report these so that others might know if they have the same thing happening to them. It took about 5 days from my last pill that I feel better."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 22, 2016

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Take a breath. If you're speeding through all of these experiences, you're probably looking for potential side effects and reactions of other people. I know because I'm just like you. I can tell you the first day I took Bactrim, I had a horrible migraine. The worst I've had in months. But guess what? I also didn't drink coffee that day after having a constant intake for weeks. I had other problems like chills, but wait, I got this medicine for an infection! So many symptoms people experience are likely a result of other things. My UTI went away. I drank lots of water and milk with it. Other than experiencing a few more headaches and a bit of tiredness, I was fine."

• 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."

• Lis...
• November 24, 2015

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Kidney Infections "Please don't let anyone scare you into not taking this. If you're like me with new medicine, you go online and research every little side effect and review, and convince yourself not to take it. I was really scared to take this as I had bad reactions to Macrobid and Ciprofloxacin, and after reading these reviews, I just knew it was going to be the same way. I'm on day two, no side effects other than a little nausea and a headache. That's the worst of it. We'll see how it goes by day 7, but so far this has been the best antibiotic I've taken."

• 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."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Just like everyone else, I was scared to take the antibiotic Bactrim because of reviews. I took it with a light snack and a lot of water and was fine. I had a slight headache, but I was also stressing about the UTI, especially since Valentine's Day is coming. I was prescribed 2 pills a day for 3 days. I went last night for a urine sample, and all is clear. Love that I only had to take this for 3 days. I also didn't get a yeast infection, but took Good Belly along with it."

• Gea...
• January 10, 2017

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "This is my second time taking this medication, both times it was prescribed for an alleged spider bite. The first time I took it, I stopped before finishing because the side effects were terrible. I experienced headache, dizziness, flu symptoms, and flushing. The second time I took it, I had the same experience, so I drank 2 liters of water and symptoms subsided tremendously. This is a double antibiotic, so it is imperative that you drink a very large amount of water when taking it, otherwise, the medication is concentrated in your system, and the side effects will be unbearable."

• kho...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2014

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "I was put on this medicine for a skin infection. I was reluctant to start it because of all the horror stories on the Internet. It does make me nauseous, and it gives me a slight headache. Advil and Benadryl help with those side effects. I'm on the fourth day, and my infection is nearly cleared. I was also given a Bactroban skin cream, and that stuff is great. A pleasant side effect has been my skin clearing. I had perfect skin up until I hit 25, and then suddenly I had cystic acne on one side of my face. I was reluctant to take anything because it wasn't that bad, but the Bactrim has pretty much cleared it up."

• Anonymous
• April 5, 2013

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Had a 7-day prescription of Bactrim DS. The first two days, I had a headache. By the 3rd day, I started feeling nausea, which turned into nausea, dizziness, and constant fatigue. I've been off the medicine for 36 hours and still feel extremely exhausted, dizzy, and a little queasy at times."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Cam...
• September 6, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Took sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim for a minor testicular infection. I got very sick. It caused chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, and sharp pains all over my body. The doctor told me it was in my head, and I kept taking it. I eventually ended up in the hospital and was so sick I could barely sleep. It’s been a month since I took this drug, and while some of the problems are gone, I still have very bad muscle weakness, cramping in my legs, and sharp pains that feel like nerve damage. I’ve seen many doctors all agree that Bactrim did something to my system. I urge you to not take this drug. I haven’t had any response from my doctor since I called with all my symptoms. It has gotten so severe I’m starting to think my life might never be the same, and I was completely healthy, a 21-year-old before this. DO NOT TAKE THIS."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2017

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Kidney Infections "I was a bit of a moron and let a UTI go for too long. I had pain on and off for a few months in my back. Pee was cloudy, frequent urination... all that good stuff, but two days ago, I woke up and felt absolutely terrible. I was so nauseous, couldn’t eat anything, awful headache, chills, and the worst back pain I had ever felt. I went to the doctor, and she wrote this for me. I took two pills yesterday, and already today I feel a hundred times better. I don’t believe it is for everyone, obviously, due to the mixed reviews, and my mother had taken it before, and it had awful effects on her as well, but I do believe it’s worth trying because for me, it’s been wonderful. I couldn’t even bend over yesterday, and today all I have is slight dull pain in my back. Worked perfectly."

• 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."

• non...
• April 13, 2012

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I also had similar experiences and side effects like lethargy, shaking, confusion slightly, severe fatigue, headaches, aches, and pains, but kept taking the medicine anyway because the pain of a urinary tract infection is much, much worse. I'd rather suffer for a short time with these symptoms than suffer with a bladder infection."