Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Yol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "Before taking this medication, I had general anxiety, and I rarely had panic/anxiety attacks. I started this medication on a Monday, and by the next day, I was having severe panic/anxiety attacks. They consisted of shaking, feeling of fear and panic, sweating, nausea, a burning sensation in the chest, a fast heart rate, and feeling faint. I also have had a loss of appetite and haven’t been able to sleep. I just stopped taking this medication (now Thursday) in hopes that the attacks would stop. I thought I was going crazy. I was unable to do anything; leave my house, go to doctors' appointments, etc. I do not recommend taking this medication at all. I have not seen any benefits from using this drug."

• Chi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "Gave two stars because it did actually clear up my UTI, I think. No more burning or cloudy urine. The side effects were awful. Not only did I have extreme nausea, headaches, chills, hot flashes, insomnia, constipation, shakiness, and racing heart, but it also came with emotional/mental side effects, which I've never experienced with a prescription before. I feel super anxious and a bit paranoid, to the point of keeping me up at night. I'm on my 4th day of a 7-day dose, but today will be my last on this medicine. I've decided I'd rather risk getting the UTI again than deal with these side effects any longer. If it comes back, I'll definitely be asking my doctor for a different antibiotic. And I took it exactly as directed, with plenty of water."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "It’s only my first pill of sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim, and I didn’t have any serious side effects. Then, about 8 hours later, I’m laying in bed with severe insomnia, was itching nonstop the past 2 hours also. I took my anxiety medicine because I feel like I’m constantly sweating so bad and have anxiety, and my medicine isn't even working. I am wide awake, and I’m just fine! I won’t take the next dose. I have kids and work, and I’m literally not tired at all, and this anxiety is not worth it. I thought I was going to be good, but no, watch for side effects hours later. NEVER AGAIN! I’m so sick of trying to find an antibiotic to just help you instead of doing all this. Like, how is this helping?"

• Yay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have read many, many reviews on this drug. Though some were positive, most are negative and consistent with the side effects I suffered. I was put on this drug for UTI, I had not had one in 25 years. I was given a 10-day, 2x a day prescription and, full disclosure, I suffer from HBP and severe anxiety. After a couple of days on this drug, I felt like I was coming out of my skin, lost my appetite, felt like I was losing my mind, had nightmares, insomnia, and thoughts of dying (not suicidal) constantly, and I was in a complete state of panic every waking moment. As these symptoms worsened, they also intensified. I have never had an allergic reaction to a drug before, I have taken antibiotics in the past, mostly for sinus infections. This was only my second time being treated for UTI and the first time with this drug. I would not take this again, nor would I recommend it for anyone. I only wish we could chat in person, it would make this experience less scary. God bless each of you."

• And...
• May 1, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took this antibiotic after trying Cipro, which was too strong for me. After finishing the 4 days I was on them for, my UTI was still present. Some days it was even worse. This antibiotic didn't work to get rid of my infection, even though the doctor claimed my urine in the lab was responsive to it. Not to mention, these pills gave me god-awful headaches and insomnia. Overall, it lessened the burning and stinging and smell, but didn't clear my infection."

• Fee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Day 1, first pill... Insomnia. It’s now 3:30 a.m., and I maybe got 2 hours of sleep. First, I woke up with a fever of 100.0. That’s when the panic set in - extreme anxiety and constant feeling of twirling. Still drinking lots of water, but I want to stop taking this."

• Tor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed this after going to get a checkup because I knew something was off, but I had no UTI symptoms. I have just spent the last 24 hours shaking, with a tremendous headache, nauseated, chilled, and with insomnia. I would not recommend this medicine to a sensitive female. I cried until 2 am and finally fell asleep. I have abdomen pain, bloating, which was not there before, and it feels like a yeast infection is festering. I am going to go back to my cranberry, water, and oregano oil methods. I also read about d-mannose, but that looks more preventative. Probiotic too."

• Led...
• January 8, 2017

For Sinusitis "My first time on this medication. So far, I'm not impressed. I'm on day 3 right now for a sinus infection, and I still feel basically the same as I did the day I went in to see the doctor, only my throat is incredibly more sore, and I'm coughing when I wasn't before. Having trouble sleeping, and I have no appetite. Hopefully, I will see some improvement in the next day or two."

• low...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "Let me start by saying this: I was originally prescribed amoxicillin to deal with the UTI, but after it proved to be useless, my doctor switched me over to this absolute life-sucking medication; I'm to take 2 pills every day for 2 weeks, and every time I take it, I feel zombified - and that's a compliment for how insatiably terrible it makes me feel. Dizziness, nausea, headaches, insomnia, stomach cramps, constipation - you name it, I had it. I've been glued to my bed for almost 2 weeks, feeling as though I spiritually disconnected from my body and physically manifested into a literal tombstone. The only reason it gets a 2 is because it stopped the burning sensation of my UTI within 4 days - but the side effects are not worth it. I'd rather have suffered with the UTI than to have dealt with this disaster. Don't get this. Ever."

• Kan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 5, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "Let me tell you about sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. I've been on it for maybe 5 and a half days for a bladder infection and potential kidney infection. It works, trust me, it works, but I don't feel doctors explain enough about this pill. If you do not drink a whole heap of water a day, you will constantly feel like you are dying. The side effects of this thing are no joke, granted, I'm powering through, but for most people, if you can't take the frequent headaches, random points of exhaustion, sensitivity to the sun and bright lights, weakness, and sleep issues, then you should probably talk to your doctor about how long or even if you're okay taking this pill. There have also been a few people saying they've been having memory issues, but I don't quite believe it's that, maybe it is the infection? You'll be quite exhausted, so drink lots of water and get plenty of rest."

• Anonymous
• July 29, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Acne "I was prescribed Bactrim by my dermatologist for my acne, and I must say it was the worst experience. At first, I ignored the side effects, but I initially experienced loss of appetite, night sweats, shivers, and had trouble falling asleep. After one week of taking it, I experienced joint and muscle pain, which is ultimately the reason I stopped taking it. Such horrible side effects."

• 920...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2016

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "Given a 7-day course. After 2 days, insomnia, anxiety. Complete loss of appetite, eating was a chore. Mild pain in kidney areas. After 5 days, vivid nightmares, difficulty falling asleep, and severe anxiety at night. After 6 days, stopped because of an anxiety attack and weak pulse, feelings of lightheadedness."

• 920...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2016

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim "Given a 7-day course. After 2 days, insomnia, anxiety. Complete loss of appetite, eating was a chore. Mild pain in kidney areas. After 5 days, vivid nightmares, difficulty falling asleep, and severe anxiety at night. After 6 days, stopped because of an anxiety attack and weak pulse, feelings of lightheadedness."

• Djj...
• August 6, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Trimethoprim for a recurrent UTI. My ANP prescribed a course of 14 tablets. After taking the first tablet, I felt my mouth was tingling and tender inside, as though it had taken the skin off inside my mouth. I took a second tablet. When I awoke the next morning, the inside of my mouth was inflamed, red, and started to ulcerate, and my lips were swollen. I stopped taking the medicine but suffered for a further week with a very painful mouth. Still having signs of the UTI, I decided to start taking the medicine again to see if it had been a coincidence, but straight away, the same thing happened with my mouth. Also, my genitals became extremely itchy, red, sore, swollen, and inflamed like my mouth, and I also got hives all over my body and kept having clammy hot flushes. I have also felt anxious, tearful, and depressed and not been able to sleep very well, which is most unlike me. This is a type of allergic reaction, and so it is important I discuss this with my doctor and avoid these types of antibiotics again as the next reaction I have could be far worse! I also take levothyroxine for underactive thyroid and sertraline for hormone imbalance."

• Now...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Septra was prescribed for a UTI, 2 tabs daily for 5 days. Since I started 2 days ago, I’ve been unable to fall asleep until the early morning hours! Very frustrating. I will stop taking this drug due to the terrible insomnia. The UTI seems to be cleared up, though."

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "When I started taking this medicine, sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim, I couldn’t sleep, I would try so hard to sleep, but I couldn’t. I feel like this medicine didn’t work for me. Kind of worried for my health. By the way, make sure you drink plenty of water with this medication."

• pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "Using this drug was like living in a nightmare. It still remains to be seen whether it helped my prostatitis; I was given a 28-day course of 56 pills at a combined 960 mg tablet. But while using it, I had many profound negative side effects: extreme anxiety, racing thoughts, and pounding heart that did not respond to various self-soothing techniques such as meditation, breathing, or even a cold shower; insomnia to the point I didn't sleep but a few minutes a night for my last three days on the drug; various flu-like symptoms such as mild fever, fatigue, chills and hot flashes, weakness, and cognitive ability loss; and an out-of-body feeling. I stopped taking it after eight pills when I noticed the symptoms always ramped up 15-30 minutes after taking a dose. Before that, I didn't connect these insane symptoms to my new medication, but I probably should have because I had a similar reaction to another antibiotic, levofloxacin, a couple of years ago. Be very wary of this drug!"

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "Please do not let your doctor prescribe this. I am an insomniac, and this medication has made it even worse. I have been up for 24 hours straight at a time, sleeping 4 hours during the day. I have a migraine now for the last 3 days that would not budge, even with my regular migraine medication. My body aches all over like I have the flu. I thought I was losing my mind. Will NEVER accept this medication again."

• Nin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2017

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I have been super sweaty, insomnia, flu symptoms, night sweats, loss of appetite, and severe back and neck pain! I will completely stop using this!! ;( Got it for UTI, but it doesn't seem to have gone away. Had it for over a week, been taking it since then."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed this medication on 8/28/2022, and by the second night that I had taken it (3 pills in), I felt like I was in constant fight/flight mode. I have high anxiety anyway, so this definitely did not help things - my heart was racing, my mind was 100 MPH with no brakes, insomnia, and when I could feel myself trying to fall asleep, my body would jolt me awake in a panic. I had to buy melatonin. I also have noticed cotton mouth, tingling lips, mouth, and sometimes like a buzzing on my tongue. My eyes have drooped in the corners. I have been so constipated. Nauseous, but no vomiting. I was placed on this medication because of a potential for UTI/kidney/bladder infection and/or stones, and if it were the latter, to help prevent the infection from occurring. I had previously been placed on cefdinir, but that did little to no help when it came to urgency/frequency and decreased urine output... I believe this drug has done more harm than good - and feel I should stop it."

• Bad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "I started taking this on Saturday afternoon for an infected sebaceous cyst on my upper back. Directions were to take 2x a day for 10 days. I immediately got insomnia. Then took my 2 pills Sunday. Insomnia again, and I started getting more anxious and feeling stranger as the day went by. Monday morning, I took the morning dose and then realized that I was going into what I would call a psychotic episode. I literally felt like I was losing my mind. Yikes! It had to be the pills! I researched side effects, and sure enough, certain people can’t take sulfa drugs. I threw them in the trash. The infection had responded dramatically and got better fast with just the 4 pills. I found out later that my mom and my 2 sisters were all allergic to sulfa drugs. My brother was a schizophrenic, so apparently whatever inherited set of family defects can’t process this med. I noted in my research that schizophrenics were cautioned against using, so that had caught my attention due to my brother’s problems."

• Jba...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2021

For Prostatitis "Ok, so I went to the doc because I was having some funny pains downstairs. Told me he thought it might be some kind of infection, prescribed sulfa, and off I went, not thinking much of it at all. After 3 days, I told my wife I didn’t feel right, was shaky, had no appetite, nothing tasted good, I couldn’t sleep, had severe anxiety that I’ve never experienced before with two hardcore panic attacks, and I also had some thoughts of suicide, especially on New Year’s Day. My last dose was Dec 4, and I dealt with the side effects till early February. For 3 to 4 weeks, my body felt like it was poisoned. I don’t know if this medicine even helped because everything else was so bad it took my attention away from the pain."

• Zim...
• September 22, 2015

For Bacterial Skin Infection "Never had any allergic reactions to medicine before, but after starting this for an infection on my foot, over the course of 7 days, I had severe headaches (which I almost never get), fever, chills, body aches, insomnia, dry cough, loss of appetite, and nausea. Was meant to take this for 3 more days, but after calling my doctor, they okayed me to stop. Been off it 12 hours and am already feeling better."

• Jol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2019

For Bronchitis "I normally get bronchitis once a year. This year, not so lucky. I’ve been battling it off and on for 3 months. It goes away for a bit and comes back. Cipro was working but stopped, so doc prescribed this. I’ve tried it twice now and cannot get past day 1 on it. My feet hurt so bad. I cannot lay down or sleep. Pain is too unbearable. (I’ve only taken 2 pills.) My feet hurt when I stand, but not as bad. I also am unable to sleep, even if my feet didn’t hurt. The prob is that it’s already helping the bronchitis. But I can’t do this. Have to call the doc for something else."

• Jla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2019

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I was prescribed this for a small infection of my cuticle (Paronychia). Within 2 days, I experienced nausea, stomach pain, cramps, bloating, headaches, insomnia, mood swings. I had to stop taking it. I have never had such a bad experience with medicine before. I will never take this stuff again!"