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

• Raj...
• January 2, 2018

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Kidney Infections "I always get digestive issues (severe nausea, diarrhea, gas, upset stomach) from antibiotics. I hadn't taken Bactrim before. For me, the side effects have been very minimal. I eat a serving of carbs about 10 minutes before taking it (bread, pasta, or a banana) and then drink a large glass of water with it, and have made sure to drink a lot of water generally. I'm also taking a probiotic midday. The side effects I've had are being more tired than usual, low appetite, and a bit of a dull headache for a couple of days. After the initial dose, I had intense nausea, but I had not eaten. I have one day remaining of the 7-day course. After one day on Bactrim, my infection symptoms went away. I'll need a follow-up, but so far, yay Bactrim!!"

• bos...
• June 12, 2014

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed Septra for a bacterial infection. The prescription was for ten days, and about the fifth day, I had a headache that started with severe lower back pain also. On the seventh day, I broke out from head to toe with severe hives."

• cri...
• April 30, 2016

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "I'm on this medication after developing a staph infection in my C-section incision. I began feeling dizzy on day one. I've had some itching on my stomach, but not too terribly. Yesterday (day 6 of 10) I developed a headache. I still have said headache. I feel blurry-visioned and dizzy all day. Extreme hunger too. Idk. My staph is healing, and the incision looks great now... But after suffering a severe spinal headache following my surgery... A headache is the last thing I want to experience. 3 more days... Ugh. Is it effective for infection? Yes. Is it pleasant to endure? Nope."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2015

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Sinusitis "Took medication with the warning that it needed to be taken with 'plenty of water.' Woke up in the middle of the night with a severe headache and went back to sleep. Woke up in the morning for work and had debilitating nausea. I really hope this is just a temporary thing and I don't have to do this every time I take it."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2018

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I just took one 160 mg tab of Bactrim. This is the worst pill in history. I got a rash, headache, neck and back pain. Sore throat, bad. My whole body, muscles, and joints are in so much pain. Nausea. My husband has to get me food, put me in the tub to take a hot bath. I feel so weak, OMG. Fever of 101.5, which goes up and down still. Chills and lightheaded. The next day, I still have those symptoms. Gonna call my doc on Monday to give me a different pill. If there was a 0 rating, that's what I would give. Thought I was gonna die."

• who...
• March 30, 2014

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bronchitis "Felt so sick to my stomach, laid in bed for 2 weeks. I experienced bloating, nausea, couldn't eat. Cramping was serious, I suffered from chills, fever, aches, and pains. Headache was also present, made me feel lightheaded also. Couldn't function."

• ind...
• February 7, 2011

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Today was the first day I took this medication. Two hours after, I experienced joint pain, blurred vision, back pain, a headache, chills, fever, nausea, cough, and sore throat. This was in addition to my already severe urinary tract infection symptoms, which I was sent to the ER for the night before, including severe pain in the pelvis, achy back (kidneys). Although symptoms of a severe UTI can also be fever, pain in the flank (pain that runs along the back at about waist level), chills, and nausea, I believe the medication gave me the additional symptoms. I was fine all day long until around two hours after taking the pill. After about 3 hours, symptoms increasingly went away. I am not sure if the pills are working or if they wore off."

• MTa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim for a bladder infection/UTI. Took only 1 pill and felt jittery and lightheaded about 30 minutes after taking. Then began to feel slightly itchy and by the nighttime my skin felt like it was burning, along with a splitting headache, shooting pain in my neck, and insomnia, unable to sleep, complete brain fog and anxiety. Just from one dose, I didn't take any more and 5 days later still having a splitting headache and random pains throughout my body. I would not recommend and ask the doctor for an alternative to Bactrim."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I started this medication sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim five days ago for a urinary tract infection. It was a three-day dose. I finished it two days ago, but have felt very weak, anxious, and bad headaches. I'm not sure if this is normal now that I have finished the medicine."

• Sav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I’m a 20-year-old female with a history of gastrointestinal issues. I was worried about taking this drug because of all the negative reviews, but I had no problem with it. Took it for three days, experienced mild nausea and headaches, but my UTI symptoms were gone by day two. I also take 10 mg of amitriptyline daily and was worried about using them together, but the side effects didn’t disrupt my schedule at all. Every time I took a pill, I drank a whole bottle of water (16 oz) and ate a full meal. I think that is the most important part, because when I had a light meal, I did experience some stomach pain, but nothing severe. Also, I was very gassy, but that wasn’t really an issue, LOL. I’d recommend Bactrim."

• BAa...
• June 8, 2016

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Acne "The dermatologist put me on Bactrim DS, to be taken twice a day with food. No side effects in the first few days and did a good job at clearing up my face. Currently, I am on the 9th day and experiencing severe side effects. Fever, chills, extreme joint pain, muscle weakness, and overall sluggishness. Also experiencing difficulty breathing, a tight chest, headache, and dizziness to the point of almost falling over, for no reason. The most severe of the side effects is the joint pain. Can hardly take a step on my right leg and cannot lift anything with my right arm. Bactrim does its job, however, at the expense of your health. Please do your research before starting this drug!"

• Hel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I took one pill in the evening and another the following morning. I developed extreme stomach pain by noon, which moved to my back, followed by an excruciating headache. I was nauseous but sipped tiny amounts of water to prevent dehydration. I was very weak for two days, my hands trembled. Horrible experience."

• gel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2022

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Diverticulitis "Have been on Bactrim now for 9 days with the 10th day almost completed, for an intestinal infection. Around day 7, I started feeling achy with a mild fever and chills. I’ve also had some gastrointestinal uneasiness, headaches, and insomnia. Basically, the intestinal issue is resolved, so Bactrim did its job. But others should be aware of the side effects. I have to admit I had not fully informed myself about them. Side effects can be very uncomfortable, and I suppose that if they were much worse, they even could be dangerous."

• Anonymous
• June 6, 2015

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Kidney Infections "Rushed to the ER because of unbearable flank pain. Doctor noticed a large amount of white blood cells in the urine and prescribed Bactrim. The first two days I felt okay, nothing really improved. By the fifth day, the back pain disappeared, but the urge to pee was still present. On the sixth day, I got a high fever, headaches, body aches, and a rash. Felt like crap! Stopped taking it and side effects subsided. I'm severely allergic to Bactrim. Was prescribed Cipro, it works great!"

• Sto...
• January 23, 2017

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "First time I got MRSA, it started as a small pimple under my arm and quickly became a massive abscess overnight. I went to the ER, and the doctor told me it was MRSA and prescribed me 10 days' worth of Bactrim. Within four days, the infection stopped, and the wound started to heal. It was completely healed before the ten days, but I took all the Bactrim as directed by the doctor. Then about 7 days ago, I noticed a large pimple and got it checked, and it was MRSA again, but my whole leg was swollen. They lanced it and gave me another ten days of Bactrim. I'm about five days in, and the swelling has subsided, and the pain is much less. No side effects other than a constant headache and abdominal cramps. Seems to work well for MRSA and staph infection."

• Sav...
• December 18, 2016

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "This is an awful medication, and I recommend it to anyone. Went to the ER for stomach pain to find out I had a bad UTI. Took 1 pill that the doc gave me and was completely fine. Took the next pill 12 hours later, with some saltine crackers and a bottle of water. 4 hours later, I was shaky, nauseated, thought I was going to throw up, my heart rate sped up, I had a fever (did go down with ibuprofen), had a minor rash on my cheeks, headache. Now marks 6 hours after taking it, laying down with a towel over my head, took Benadryl to help with the rash. Nausea has eased some, heating pad helps, the rash is not as red. Going back to the ER tomorrow for a different medicine. I'd rather take Amoxicillin, never have any reactions with that."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2022

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "This medicine is rough. I was prescribed it for UTI. I had never read about it until now. I’m pretty sure my UTI is gone, thankfully. But I have felt absolutely awful the whole time. I thought it was due to the UTI, but after reading, I think this antibiotic is actually causing my symptoms. I’ve had severe fatigue, terrible headaches, and brain fog. I just feel so bad. I can’t stay out of bed for too long. I took my last pill yesterday, so hopefully these side effects go away soon now. In the future, I will ask for a different antibiotic just in case. I give this medication a 6 because it did seem to clear up my infection. But the side effects are terrible."

• Mre...
• September 12, 2015

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Sinusitis "Started meds on Monday. My arms and legs hurt terribly Tuesday and Wednesday. The headache has been the worst I have ever had. Chills, sweating, nausea, impaired vision, insomnia. I called the doctor's office Wednesday afternoon, and the nurse told me to give it a few more days. Went to a different doctor on Saturday, and he said Bactrim is notorious for headaches and other adverse effects. Off of it now and have to wait 24 hours before I can start a new antibiotic. I'm praying this headache ends soon."

• e6a...
• November 29, 2015

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Only took the medication for 5 days, had read about it online after being prescribed it and got really worried at all the awful side effects. I experienced nausea and headaches and slight itchiness while on it and was glad to finally get off of it. It is my 3rd day off of it and the itching has gotten worse and all over now. I only have a few tiny reddish bumps, though, and I am experiencing anxiety on and off randomly and just feel weird and have also caught a cold (sore throat/cough). Will never take this medication ever again and I severely advise against it."

• Woo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "So I had taken Bactrim before for a UTI, and it was great, it cleared it up, and I didn’t have any side effects. This time I'm on it for an abscess, and it's a whole different story. About 3 or 4 days in, I couldn’t keep any food down and had EXTREME nausea and vomiting. Another 2 days go by, and I can’t even keep down water or pills. I sleep maybe 3 or 4 hours a night and have a terrible headache for like a week. I go to the doctor yesterday, and she tells me I have to keep taking them. I’m still dying."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Not a good option for me. I will never take it again. I was prescribed Bactrim for a recurring UTI. I think I may have taken it before and done fine, but not this time. I took my first pill in the evening and vomited. I didn’t really think much about it. I have the lap band, so that’s not all that unusual. I took my second dose the next morning and started going about my day. I started feeling body aches in all of my joints within four hours, with a slight headache. By the afternoon, I couldn’t tolerate light. I had a high fever and was short of breath. I was itchy, and some of my skin tags had become swollen and irritated. Every cell in my body hurt like I had been beaten with a bat. It was miserable, and I felt like death. Those symptoms lasted all night. The headache was the most debilitating part for me. Kind of afraid to take the new RX after that experience."

• jok...
• September 16, 2015

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Bactrim was the worst antibiotics I have taken. I was prescribed this medicine for a UTI from the Dr, and I took one pill before I went to bed and felt fine. It was like 4 am when I got hit with a massive headache from hell. I could not sleep, and then about 2 hours later, around 6 am, I started vomiting until all I could vomit out was my stomach acid. Horrible! That day, I still had a bad headache and was nauseous all day. I discontinued the pill and flushed them all down the toilet!"

• Tee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "Do your research before taking this medication (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim). I was prescribed this medication for an ear piercing (rook) that rejected. I was supposed to take it for 10 days/2x daily. The first 3 days, no symptoms; however, the next two days I started feeling like I was coming down with the flu/cold. I experienced body aches, low-grade fever, headaches, and a mild sore throat, as well as some unsteadiness. After experiencing these side effects, I stopped taking the medication. I’m waiting for my doctor to contact me with further instructions. But I will not be taking the remaining pills, and I’m never taking this medication again. BTW: My ear looks and feels much better."

• Nor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I often suffer from UTI. And Bactrim Forte is the antibiotic that I usually use to treat them. The only side effect that I have noticed is headache, with a little nausea and dizziness. I also take Ultra Levure with antibiotics to avoid a yeast infection."

• LHO...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "Today is my fourth day on Septra DS, 6 more to go. The first 2 days were the worst. My symptoms included nausea, headaches, lightheadedness/dizziness, and kind of shortness of breath. I was about ready to call my doctor or pharmacist to ask if I should stop the medication, but decided to give it a chance since I really need to get rid of my skin infection. Today, I have not felt those symptoms, so far. Hopefully, it was my body reacting to the new medication. I find Septra DS to be a powerful/strong antibiotic, I’ve never had symptoms like this with any other. After my complete course, I will re-post to inform if it worked on my MRSA."