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

• gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2019

For Acne "I have been on sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim for a month, and my skin is now awful. I have big, painful, red cysts all over my cheeks and forehead. Trimethoprim has completely ruined my skin and my self-esteem."

• she...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "I got a staph infection with a boil on my arm and was prescribed Bactrim 2x/day for 10 days. Started on 7/3. The large hard painless boil lump did not subside but did not get worse, so there’s that, but possibly it was already contained. I admit I did not drink tons of water. Seven days in, on 7/10, I got a huge red dot rash and itchy hive plaques on my inner forearms and upper thighs. Took Benadryl at night but woke up a couple of hours in with itchy heels and big hive plaques on my butt cheeks, so I couldn't sleep. This went on for days, where a new area would rise and bump up, like all over my back, arms, and chest. Antihistamines helped with the itch a little, but the weird skin was still there. I stopped Bactrim on 7/11. Hives stayed until the end of 7/15. May come back. Read this drug can lead to Steven Johnson's syndrome-yikes."

• she...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "I got a staph infection with a boil on my arm and was prescribed Bactrim 2x/day for 10 days. Started on 7/3. The large hard painless boil lump did not subside but did not get worse, so there’s that, but possibly it was already contained. I admit I did not drink tons of water. Seven days in, on 7/10, I got a huge red dot rash and itchy hive plaques on my inner forearms and upper thighs. Took Benadryl at night but woke up a couple of hours in with itchy heels and big hive plaques on my butt cheeks, so I couldn't sleep. This went on for days, where a new area would rise and bump up, like all over my back, arms, and chest. Antihistamines helped with the itch a little, but the weird skin was still there. I stopped Bactrim on 7/11. Hives stayed until the end of 7/15. May come back. Read this drug can lead to Steven Johnson's syndrome-yikes."

• dry...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2018

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I had a UTI around the turn of the century and was put on this. With one pill left, I ended up with a lovely rash on my thighs. After reading all the other reviews, I feel extremely lucky that my sulfa allergy didn't hit me so hard I ended up in the hospital!"

• Lis...
• September 26, 2020

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "I had a lump removed from my breast. It ended up getting infected from the inside. So I was prescribed Bactrim. It was about a week and a half before I noticed I was developing a rash. I went through my whole house, cleaning and racking my brain, trying to figure out why I was having an allergic reaction. I didn't even think of having an allergic reaction to the medicine. So I called my doctor, and they took me off it ASAP. It didn't help my infection, and it made me break out everywhere, and I mean everywhere, lol!"

• Anonymous
• June 28, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "I got this for a UTI at the ER. The next day I had an intense sharp headache that caused me to throw up. I lost my appetite as well and hardly ate for two weeks because I couldn't stomach anything and ended up losing a lot of weight. I also broke out in a terrible, painful rash. It was all over my arms, chest, face, and neck. After two days, I had to go to my regular doctor for steroids and a change in the antibiotics. The absolute worst experience on any medication, I'm really surprised it's still on the market after reading all the reviews."

• Apr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2018

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I was given Bactrim DS twice a day for 5 days for what they thought was a UTI. I took it for 2.5 days, until they pulled me off of it because I ended up not having a UTI. I didn't have any side effects during the time I was on it, a slight dull headache in the afternoon. I ate with it and drank lots of water. I was warned by the pharmacist you can develop a rash; I don't believe this would have occurred for me."

• Mai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2022

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I was given Bactrim to treat a urinary tract infection. After 2 days of being on the drug, I started to develop hives all over my body. Even on the soles of my feet and palms of my hands. The itching is so horrible. I went to urgent care, and they prescribed a steroid and hydroxyzine for the itching. Prior to this, I had no allergies whatsoever, not even seasonal allergies. I would ask for an antibiotic that does not contain sulfacetamide. I also read the reviews here and wasn't worried because I never had any problems."

• Sca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2017

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim DS 800 mg for 10 days after I had an infected abscess on my outer labia. I had incision/drainage and tested negative for herpes simplex, CT+NG DNA, MRSA, and staph. I went 8 days and noticed minor hand shakiness, a sunburn-like itch/sting on my neck and collarbone, and some right abdominal pain, but didn’t think much of it. Day 9 happened, and I woke up with a minor but expanding rash on my chest, neck, torso, arms, and legs. I went to the ER, and they said Bactrim allergic reaction, prescribed methylprednisolone steroid, and Hydroxyzine. 48 hours since the last dose of Bactrim, lips are still dry, cracked, and I woke up with a minor flat blood blister on the inside of my bottom lip. Is this still affecting me??"

• Yaz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Skin Infection "My son was prescribed this drug after being hospitalized for an eczema infection. Then, 7 days later, he is covered in pin-dotted rash and high fever due to Bactrim. The doctor told me to give him Benadryl every 4 hours for now. He can't sleep at night, I'm worried his rash will get worse and he will stop breathing. The doctor says to rush him to the ER if symptoms get worse. This drug should not be given to a 9-year-old."

• May...
• April 14, 2016

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim DS for 14 days, twice a day. I was told to take it with a probiotic as it could kill the good bacteria in my gut, so I did. The side effects were a severe headache and fatigue. After 5 days of taking this medication, I got an allergic reaction, so I stopped the antibiotics. The reaction was a severe rash on my face, neck, and chest. It was bright red, hot, and itchy. A mild rash spread to the rest of my body. I was given other medication to help the allergic reaction, which helped after 4 days. The abscess did go down and eventually healed on its own."

• May...
• April 14, 2016

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim DS for 14 days, twice a day. I was told to take it with a probiotic as it could kill the good bacteria in my gut, so I did. The side effects were a severe headache and fatigue. After 5 days of taking this medication, I got an allergic reaction, so I stopped the antibiotics. The reaction was a severe rash on my face, neck, and chest. It was bright red, hot, and itchy. A mild rash spread to the rest of my body. I was given other medication to help the allergic reaction, which helped after 4 days. The abscess did go down and eventually healed on its own."

• Anonymous
• March 18, 2011

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Have a persistent urinary tract infection and took this medication about four weeks ago. The urinary tract infection came back, so a second go-around. This time, after one pill, I had a hefty case of hives and a very sore tongue and headache for about two days."

• TKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "Took for diverticulitis. Okay for a couple doses, then I broke out in a rash on my face and chest. I felt hot on it as well. My saliva glands wouldn't stop! I up and stopped taking it. One day later, I feel better."

• Anonymous
• February 26, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took this medication for a UTI I had, it helped, but after the 3rd day out of a 7-day dosage, I started to get a rash under both my armpits, and it started to burn when I would pee, which it was supposed to fix."

• Cmp...
• December 6, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed Bactrim for a possible UTI, and it seemed to relieve my symptoms after a few days. However, on day 7 out of 10, I started noticing red dots all over my skin. Over the period of the next day or so, the dots multiplied until it was a complete red rash all over my body. Not very itchy, but definitely unpleasant to look at. I also developed a low-grade fever of 100.6 and got headaches and felt very out of it. Went to the doctor and was told to stop taking the Bactrim because I was having an allergic reaction. Rash and other side effects went away within a few days. Looking back, there were probably other symptoms I should have noticed that pointed to me being allergic, but I didn’t think anything of them. Most people will have different experiences on this medication, so don’t start reading reviews and assume the worst. Talk to your doctor. I will say the Bactrim did seem to do its job, though, and I no longer have the UTI I was originally prescribed it for."

• Shi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2022

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Prostatitis "The first two-week course seemed to work, but symptoms came back a few days later, so I had to go back on it - it is helping again. Hopeful the relief will stick when I go off it in a few days. Middle of this second two-week course, I broke out in a mild case of hives and began to experience more pronounced side effects, including back pain, soreness, stiffness, and achiness, like a baby version of my experience after the Moderna vaccine, and increased anxiety. All of that is not fun, but it's manageable - nothing like the nightmare some on this board are describing - and there's no question that it's helped. The doctor says if I ever have to go on a similar antibiotic again, it should not be Bactrim because the hives suggest an allergy. (Note: also on Flomax.)"

• Ing...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2022

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "Folliculitis - had a bad ingrown hair that drained a bit after hot compress and exfoliating but wouldn’t completely resolve. After 8 wks, I decided antibiotics might be the solution. I had taken antibiotics for an ingrown hair once before about 20 years ago. I had no known allergies, and I’ve been on a lot of meds over the years for rosacea and cystic acne breakouts, including Accutane, Doxycycline, steroids, etc. A friend of mine had Bactrim, and I decided to try ONE pill - certain it would be fine. I was wrong. Within 30 minutes, I broke out in hives. I had 3 on my face, several on my arms and legs. The hives stopped after the initial breakout, and although I was worried, I was keen to just keep watch and not go to the ER. They finally went down about 24 hours later. I spent the night being very anxious/paranoid and feeling really off in general. I took two doses of Benadryl, and it’s now been 36 hours, and I feel fine, but it was scary. I am one of the unlucky 3% with a Sulfa Allergy."

• Eri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "I had a boil that was so deeply embedded in my skin, they took photos at the hospital. Was given Bactrim at the hospital. By the time I got home, I had a huge purple bruise on my right arm near my elbow. Assumed it was a bug bite. Filled the script, took Bactrim....blisters formed all over my body. Red and purple bumps and spots formed all over my body. Skin was peeling and itching like crazy. This was a definite allergic reaction. Had never been given that before. Hydrocodone was prescribed for pain. It made me break out in hives all over. Two more drugs to add to my list of allergies."

• Eri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2019

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "I had a boil that was so deeply embedded in my skin, they took photos at the hospital. Was given Bactrim at the hospital. By the time I got home, I had a huge purple bruise on my right arm near my elbow. Assumed it was a bug bite. Filled the script, took Bactrim....blisters formed all over my body. Red and purple bumps and spots formed all over my body. Skin was peeling and itching like crazy. This was a definite allergic reaction. Had never been given that before. Hydrocodone was prescribed for pain. It made me break out in hives all over. Two more drugs to add to my list of allergies."

• Pla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2019

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I had no side effects except off-the-charts sleepiness - no exhaustion, no diarrhea or headache, no rash or itchy skin. Took every 12 hrs for 7 days. Giving it a six overall because of no side effects. Took four points off because my infection was so deep in the skin and so walled off from blood flow that the antibiotic had almost no effect on it, and I could not escape the scalpel."

• MMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2018

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection "Cured the UTI quickly, then all good until day 9 when I started having stomach pain and fatigue. I didn’t associate it with the antibiotic until I became covered with a rash (non-itchy) all over my torso on day 10. Went to the doctor, and they attributed all the symptoms to an allergic reaction to Bactrim. I’ve never had any drug allergies previously."

• Pee...
• March 12, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Had a UTI. Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim worked for that, but after 5 days, after a 3 mega pill a day course, I had a severe reaction that my pain specialist, Dr., told me was level 1 Steven Johnson Syndrome! Had a bad rash on hands and feet and shingles-like pain, very bad. It reactivated the herpes virus from the chickenpox I had when I was a wee baby. I now have nerve damage and first took prednisone, and now I’m on gabapentin to take the horrific pain away for 6 months. I am very upset that I was not asked by the walk-in Dr. if I’ve ever had chickenpox, as then perhaps this would not have happened to me. My Dr. doesn’t even know if it will eliminate the pain. I’m so upset as this drug is very strong, and I can never take a sulfa drug again, as it could be life-threatening! Not very impressed, and it is not a rare occurrence, as they try to say. I’m actually very angry."

• Anonymous
• April 23, 2012

For Bacterial Skin Infection "I took it for 1 week with no side effects, then on day 7 I woke up with a rash that started with one pimple and developed into many more on my arms and legs. Also, day 6 started with swollen lymph nodes behind my ears. I only have one more pill to take, but not sure if I should finish it! I also was taking Notrel 777, but the doctor said it shouldn't be a problem."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2021

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed this medication for a post-op infection. Within 12 hours of starting the medication, I developed a fever and rash. I continued taking the medication for 4 more days, as I did not realize it was an allergic reaction. Within the next 4 days, I developed a severe headache, vomiting, my fingers went numb, severe eye redness, severe weakness to the point I had trouble walking, and decreased urination. My doctor immediately took me off the medication and had blood work done. My liver enzymes were sky-high. The symptoms stopped as soon as the medication was discontinued, but it took about 6 months to get feeling back in my fingers."