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SMZ-TMP DS User Reviews & Ratings

SMZ-TMP DS has an average rating of 4.2 out of 10 from a total of 50 reviews on Drugs.com. 26% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 50% reported a negative experience.

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Reviews for SMZ-TMP DS

  • Anonymous
  • May 26, 2010

For Urinary Tract Infection "I would get a urinary tract infection when I had sex. To control the situation, my doctor prescribed SMZ-TMP DS. I took one or two a day for years. As long as I took the pills, I was not bothered with a UTI. Miss a day or two, and UTI. Worked wonderfully."

10 / 10
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70 Report
  • Ano...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 10, 2019

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."

2 / 10
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34 Report
  • can...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 9, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "I had smelly urine but not the usual symptoms of UTI, but the doctor put me on this and by the 4th day still had a problem and felt sick - listless, not able to eat, stomach felt like it was full and heavy. By day 8 of taking it, my son convinced me to stop the medication. I did and felt a bit better, but it is now a month later and I have lost 14 lbs and am barely able to stomach any food. I almost throw up when even thinking about eating! I have to force myself to eat--not at all happy!!!!!"

1 / 10
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36 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Anonymous
  • March 19, 2012

For Urinary Tract Infection "After being on this for 5 days, my urinary tract infection was almost gone. I had to ask for another prescription. During the time I was on it, I noticed shortness of breath, almost twice a day I tasted metal and noticed I had small nosebleeds. I also couldn't really go out in the sunlight, as it hurt my eyes a lot and my skin felt like it was burning."

5 / 10
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52 Report
  • Ano...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 26, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed this for a UTI. Worst experience ever! Got up to day 4 of taking it and started to feel weak, confused, had really bad back and neck pain, pain when I walked. I also had watery, itchy, burning eyes, a massive headache, sleepy and fatigue, and like a tight chest. At night, I couldn't sleep, had the chills and a cold sweat. I have lost my appetite and have lost 6 pounds in just 4 days! I have stopped taking them but now I am developing a rash on my body that really itches. Please, people beware of this. My advice is to ask for something else, or at the first sign of a symptom, stop taking."

1 / 10
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29 Report

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  • Lot...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 16, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "I took this medicine for a UTI because I was told it kills the bacteria that showed up on my labs, and other antibiotics may be resistant to it. The medicine made me go to the bathroom even more, especially at night, and caused headaches and muscle cramps. I've been switched now to Cipro. We will see how this goes."

1 / 10
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21 Report
  • Chr...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 16, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "Side effects I got on the first dose: very bad headache, dizziness, difficulty urinating, irritated eyes, joint and muscle pain, fever with chills. I am still recovering, it's been over 12 hours. I've gotten maybe 4 hours of sleep while I started this. I had to discontinue it, and I contacted my doctor. My advice: do not take if you have high blood pressure or a thyroid condition, this medication seems to interact with medications for those conditions as well as interact with those conditions themselves."

1 / 10
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26 Report
  • Kat...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 3, 2014

For Urinary Tract Infection "Based on the results of a urine culture, I was put on this medication. I have taken 4 pills. While at work today, my tongue was feeling like I just took a big bite of piping hot pizza. The burning feeling was quite intense, and I had not eaten anything that might have caused this. I also had numbness in my lips. The last pill I took was at 7:30 a.m., and I still have intense burning and a bit of numbness. I was puzzled and decided to look up the side effects of this new medication because it was the only thing newly exposed to my body. Since these problems were listed in your side effects listing, I will immediately discontinue using it."

1 / 10
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37 Report
  • tdu...
  • July 3, 2017

For Kidney Infections "I will not ever take this medication again (generic form of Bactrim DS). I landed in the ER with a severe kidney infection... was given antibiotics, nausea medication, and pain medication through an IV. Went home six hours later and started the Bactrim that night. I woke up at 2 AM absolutely drenched head to toe in sweat, with chills... couldn't fall back asleep. The next day I had the worst headache... terrible, terrible pain in the base of my skull, and a horribly stiff and sore neck. Any time I stood up I could feel my blood pressure in my head sore, just throbbing. I had zero appetite. I stopped the Rx after 2.5 days. I felt worse after I started the Rx than before it. Never, ever again."

1 / 10
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29 Report
  • Liz...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 6, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have been prescribed this medication many times over the last 40 years for urinary tract infections, and it always works for me with no side effects. Just into my second day of this round for the latest UTI, and it is already working. The burning sensation when urinating and the blood in urine has almost stopped. I will take the remaining pills — two a day for seven days — and I’m sure I will be right as rain until I get the next UTI. I seem to get these once or twice a year, but this drug seems to work best for me... better than Macrobid."

10 / 10
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21 Report
  • Sic...
  • March 25, 2020

For Kidney Infections "Wow, I should have looked at reviews prior to taking this SMZ-TMP DS medication. I had this prescribed for a UTI/possible kidney infection. I only had a 3-day course. On day 2, I woke up extremely sick, horrid headache that turned into nausea and vomiting. That caused the headache to be even worse. I felt so weak and dehydrated, like the worst hangover of my life, except there was no alcohol involved!! :( I had to drink water all day, or else I felt I was gonna pass out and did nothing but lay on the couch under the blankets. Moving in any way made me out of breath. I finished the dose as I was scared to not finish since the internet says it’s bad to not complete antibiotics. On the night of day 2, I was finally recuperating, but surely after taking the morning dose of day 3, I went back to feeling super crappy!!! I’m hoping my infection is gone, but my back is still hurting, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Anyone taking this, beware!! Make sure to eat a lot and drink a lot, a lot of fluids."

1 / 10
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17 Report
  • Sid...
  • October 23, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "After the 5th pill, side effects were horrendous. Slight right-side facial weakness, shaking, confused, and nearly paralyzed from the right shoulder through my neck. I asked the pharmacist if there was anything I should know before taking this drug, he told me no."

1 / 10
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27 Report
  • Jrz...
  • July 3, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "I am on the 5th day of my UTI. The pressure and bearing down while urinating is similar to labor pains. I'm out of state and visited an Urgent Care Center. The NP prescribed the generic Bactrim. I went back to the Urgent Care Center after 4 days, and she gave me 3 more days of the SMZ-TMP DS. I told her my symptoms were the same as my initial visit. Promised that the infection would clear with the additional pills, in addition to AZO, an over-the-counter pill to relieve the pressure. It's now day 5, and I feel like I'm on day 1. This medication is doing NOTHING for me. It's Friday, and I'm sure I will be visiting another Dr. on Monday. I just want to feel like myself again."

1 / 10
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27 Report
  • Vin...
  • July 31, 2016

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."

6 / 10
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25 Report
  • Noe...
  • May 28, 2012

For Acne "When I had acne, I tried almost every medicine. I was in Boston in my house alone, and my friend told me he had acne and he took SMZ-TMP DS. When I tried it, everything worked in a jiffy. So now when someone has acne, I just tell them to try SMZ-TMP DS, and you will never regret."

10 / 10
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33 Report
  • Rev...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 29, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "It helped my simple UTI almost immediately and completely, but I had side effects that I've never experienced with any other drug. My face was extremely red (like a bright, painful red that felt like a bad sunburn) all over for the entire time, plus a week after I stopped taking it. I felt extremely anxious and jittery, and I didn't get a good night of sleep for a week after I stopped this med. I should add that I had all these side effects when I only took the drug for 3 days! I've never experienced side effects with other antibiotics. I believe this is a sulfa-containing drug, and I guess I must have a sulfa allergy."

3 / 10
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20 Report
  • Gin...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 11, 2019

For Bacterial Skin Infection "After reading all the precautions for this drug and the one review, I have decided I'll let the Brown Recluse bite resolve itself. It's on the mend now anyway. I'm 75 years old, and this does not seem to be something I need to be taking. Thanks for the reviews and the information on the internet for giving me some insight."

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18 Report
  • Pry...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 8, 2016

For Prostatitis "Dr. prescribed this med for my prostatitis symptoms, on day 5 of a 28-day plan. Noticeable reduction in symptoms so far. Pain seems to be fading as the days pass. Was told to take the whole prescription, as just because the symptoms fade doesn't mean it's gone. Some light side effects are lightheadedness, occasional nausea, and some interrupted sleep, some body tingling also during the day. But if it makes these symptoms go away, it's worth the tradeoff. Better than feeling like your bladder area is on fire. If you can handle the slight side effects for a couple of weeks, I would recommend giving this a try. Although everyone is different and side effects may differ."

7 / 10
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22 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 4, 2011

For Acne "I was prescribed this for my acne along with several other creams, and within a month, my mild acne problem was cleared up. But if I stopped taking the pills completely, I would break out, so instead, I slowly went off the medicines, and now I'm taking one every other day and have clear skin. This medicine works wonders."

10 / 10
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31 Report
  • RJo...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • June 24, 2013

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "Being that I have rheumatoid arthritis and take medication for that, finding antibiotics to treat infection isn't easy. I did not have many side effects from this medicine, as I took it as the doctor prescribed. I did have an upset stomach though at first. Any infection I had showed definite improvement within the first 36 hrs."

8 / 10
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27 Report
  • Kar...
  • May 11, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "After taking the 2nd dose, I began having a very bad burning feeling in my stomach. Then my back muscles hurt. There was no getting comfortable. I also could only urinate once in 10 hours when I had been going about every 2 hours prior. About 10 hours after I took that dose, I finally and unexpectedly vomited. I fell asleep for a few hours, and when I woke, my backache was gone, and I wasn't doubled over in pain from my stomach. I immediately decided that I wasn't even going to try another dose and called to be put on something different. It's now been 5 days since I took this medicine, and my stomach still feels like it has a hole eaten through it."

1 / 10
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19 Report
  • Lil...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 20, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I have dysuria, furuncle of the groin, cellulitis at the same time. I was given sulfamethoxazole plus TMP/DS 800 every 12 hours. I also have Hashimoto's disease and took my levothyroxine a while after taking Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole plus TMP). The first day I started having cramps on the left side of my stomach, thinking it was normal. I took the second pill after 12 hours, and I was worse than before: light headache, nausea, full and heavy stomach feeling. Then I took the third pill in the morning, and soon I was having chest pain, nausea, tired irregular heartbeat, fatigue, tight chest, pain in my teeth, lips, and muscle pain. The symptoms are not improving. I called the pharmacy, and they wanted me to call my doctor, but I will stop this medication, as per my primary doctor. I will have a long talk with them tomorrow, as according to my medical records, I shouldn’t have been on this medication."

10 / 10
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15 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 17, 2016

For Prostatitis "I was originally prescribed Cipro to treat my prostatitis. After 6 days, Cipro proved ineffective for the particular bacteria I had. Switched to SMZ-TMP in addition to Flomax and already feel relief on day 2. SMZ-TMP was free at my local Publix. I would have given it a 10 if I wasn't taking it in combination with Flomax (which is also having positive results)."

9 / 10
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19 Report
  • No...
  • October 13, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "Was prescribed this for a UTI. Spent 6 hours in the emergency room for dehydration after 3 1/2 hours of extreme abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, and vomiting. This, after only 1 pill. Worse than my experience with Augmentin by far."

1 / 10
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17 Report
  • L 1...
  • September 13, 2016

For Acne "I took this medication SMZ/TMP for acne/scars on my face. I had a very severe allergic reaction. My face was swollen and my lips. My hands swelled up. I had terrible pains in my wrists up to my arms and pain in my stomach/abdomen. This happened after taking it for around a week. My dad had to drive me to the emergency room because I couldn't swallow and was almost choking. I was so scared. I warn anyone going on this medication to think twice. I had no idea I would have an anaphylaxis reaction to it. Very serious. It was hell going through this, and I really thought I would die. I didn't know what was happening to me as I was choking in my sleep. My mom looked up the side effects, and that's when we found out it was a terrible reaction."

1 / 10
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16 Report
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.