Trimethoprim and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• JB6...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 25, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "Cleared up the UTI, but 5 weeks after taking the final tablet, I'm still having side effects. First noticed that I had a sore throat and stiff neck after taking tablets for 5 days (was given a seven-day course) but did not make the connection with taking antibiotics. Continued to take medication. I then developed a sensitive scalp, neck pain got worse, and on-and-off headaches plus shoulder and back pain. Felt awful. I was on holiday at the time, and it seemed to ease after about a week. Reported to my GP on returning to the UK. Now, 5 weeks later, on holiday again, neck pain, sore skin, and head pains are all back. Hope this helps others. Not sure if I should seek medical attention or just hope problems go away with time."

• Reb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2023

For Bladder Infection "I was prescribed this drug for a bladder infection. Within an hour of taking it, I had one of the worst headaches I've had since my last migraine. It was the intensity of a migraine, I tried paracetamol and ibuprofen, but nothing touched it. I've got horrible anxiety, I feel shaky, and my stomach feels truly awful. I feel sick and have no appetite. I also feel exhausted, I didn't sleep well last night due to racing thoughts. Much of what others have described has been my experience. I'm currently waiting for a call from my GP surgery for a different antibiotic. Take the advice on here: don't take it, it's a truly awful drug. It should be taken off the market!"

• FRE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was given ALPRIM for a bladder infection. I was told to take it in the evening with food. The first night I nearly went mad, I had nausea, itching, headache, pain in my lower legs and feet. Then on day 2, a severe rash appeared, and my feet both swelled. They were also red raw, I thought I must have had gout. Day 3, I took another tablet, and the rash spread on both legs. The pain was unbearable, moods were hard to live with. I have had infected cellulitis, and that was painful, but nothing like this. So on day 4, the lower legs all blistered, and I was in shocking pain. So that was the end of ALPRIM-never again. It is 3 weeks later, and the legs are slowly coming back to normal, still very red. So please be aware of this medication, and if you notice any changes in yourself, stop it. I will never take it again."

• Chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "Prescribed a three-day course (one twice a day) for UTI over the phone. First day gave me a raging headache and dizziness. The second day (Xmas Eve) I felt nauseous all day. Decided to take my second dose with food. An hour later I started vomiting and violently shaking. This lasted a few hours when it seemed to subside (I'm 2 weeks post-COVID, so it's easy to blame COVID for everything, but this felt different). Xmas Day morning, the vomiting returned, along with the violent shaking - no fever. Also, my mind was full of paranoid thoughts. I have never been so scared in my life. Rang 111, the doctor said it was a reaction to the trimethoprim and to stop taking them (I had). Prescribed anti-sickness tablets and advised to call back if symptoms worsened. Thankfully, by Boxing Day I had recovered. I just can't believe these side effects aren't made common knowledge."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 29, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "The urine tract infection is gone after two doses, but at a cost. Feeling nausea, vomiting, itchy rash on ear, slight temperature increase, a terrible headache. I stopped taking it after the second dose by doctor's advice."

• Gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Been on this antibiotic trimethoprim for three days and no side effects. I’m on a longer course of the same drug. I mainly get headaches and nausea from this stuff and a bit of gas too. Been struggling mentally, I’m not sure if that’s related. It’s clearing up the infection well enough though, and having to deal with the pain in the butt of UTI symptoms for the past month, that’s good enough for me. I’m currently on day 3 of a 7-day course."

• Thi...
• November 30, 2020

For Bladder Infection "Bladder infection. Almost an hour later, I had severe dizziness, hot flashes, extreme anxiety, and felt like my blood pressure had dropped drastically. The next 3 days, I had a horrible headache, nausea, the worst fatigue ever, completely no appetite, and severe anxiety. Kidneys were very painful, hard to breathe without exacerbating the pain. On the 4th night, I experienced all that and insomnia/strange random thoughts at night that seemed to have a mind of their own. Day 5, I feel much more like myself but still delicate. I notified my doctor and NHs24 about my symptoms, and they said to keep taking it! Glad I did because I am feeling much better now. Look up 'bacteria die-off symptoms', this may be what we have been experiencing. Harmful endotoxins from the dead bacteria in our systems due to antibiotics. I've read the worse you feel during die-off, the more you needed it. Take a good probiotic at night to ease symptoms."

• Mam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Taken for a UTI. I started having headaches with them and itching. Then, after a few days, I was covered in a rash, and my face had swollen up. I found it difficult to swallow. I had hives all inside my mouth. I had an allergic reaction to the tablet."

• ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "Curses. Back on this absolutely rotten Alprim, but I have no choice. Keflex was OK for the UTI, but it seems the bug likes it and wants to holiday in my bladder. Alprim gives me the worst headache, plus feeling quite sick. Grit the teeth and get on with it. Of course, I will. Waiting now for the result of the urine test to make sure Alprim will work. Sorry for the grizzle. I really have nothing to moan about. Love to all."

• Den...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 15, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "Have been suffering from UTIs continually for 6 years. Going from Keflex to Alprim. The infection always comes back. Had Alprim before, but this time on day 1, huge headache. Day 2, extremely thirsty, have the shakes, trembling hands, and nausea. I really don't want to finish these but will take 3 all up and go back to the doctor."

• Kat...
• May 16, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "This review is partly in response to the last review from Stardust: I just wanted to tell you, what you described with your experience I had the EXACT same reaction, so you are not alone at all. I was on 300 mg 1 x day for a UTI, and it completely wiped me out, I was exhausted from day one. I had pounding, throbbing headaches that were unbearable and dizziness, especially getting up or bending over. As I continued taking it, it just got worse. Day 3, I started getting awful abdominal cramps and pains in my lower back, stomach, and legs, diarrhea, vomiting, and terrible nausea. My heart began to palpitate so bad I couldn’t sleep, and my whole body vibrated, and I could feel my heart beating through my body, it seemed. I got hot flushes followed by chills. It is honestly the worst antibiotic I have ever had and would rather put up with the burning when peeing of UTI than suffer these horrible, sickly side effects. Ask for Augmentin or amoxicillin, don’t take trimethoprim! Heed my warning!"

• Tom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2023

For Urinary Tract Infection "I started a 7-day course, and by day four, I felt absolutely awful. The side effects of this antibiotic are horrendous. I literally felt worse due to the side effects than having a UTI. The most awful feeling of nausea, one of the worst headaches I’ve ever experienced, overwhelmed by tiredness and fatigue, tummy aches and pains, muscle aches and pains, and just a general feeling of feeling unwell. I can’t wait to get back to some normality again."

• Rin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2021

For Prevention of Bladder infection "3-day course taken after abortion, as I was concerned about infection. I began feeling unwell after starting trimethoprim, with nausea, headaches, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, and possible fever. Worried that these are signs of aseptic meningitis, which trimethoprim is known to induce."

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed a course of 3 Alprim tablets for a UTI and immediately noticed a few ulcers in my mouth half an hour after the first pill. I thought it was just the antibiotic making my immune system low, and the next day I had my next tablet. That’s when I started feeling much sicker and my mouth blisters much worse. I also experienced numbness in my left hand. I decided not to finish the course and so wish I had stuck to my resolve, but family said I should finish the course or the UTI would come back. About 15 minutes after the 3rd pill, my mouth was on fire. My tongue, lips, and gums all erupted into ulcers, and I couldn’t eat, drink, or sleep for the pain. My blood pressure is through the roof and I have terrible headaches. The doctor said I must have an allergy. My hand is still numb too. Never again."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2021

"I’m a 19-year-old female with extreme and random pelvic pain and frequent urination (up to 15-20 times a day). I was taking 100 mg once a day for a few months to rule out the diagnosis of urethritis. Within a few days, I experienced extremely bad headaches and quite a bit of hair loss. I decided to continue with the medication. A little over a month later, I began experiencing horrible symptoms, which were dizziness, a heavy feeling in my legs, nausea, clumsy hands, shortness of breath after walking or even just lifting a box, a tingly sensation on my feet, and chest pain. I contacted my doctor, and he told me to immediately stop taking it. Even after all of this, there was NO improvement in my urinary frequency and pelvic pain! I will not be taking this medication again."

• Rub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed a 7-day course of this antibiotic, as the 3-day course of Nitrofurantoin did not work, but I think they would have done the job if the course was for 7 days, as I never had any of the symptoms I have with Trimethoprim. All the symptoms I had along with the UTI were awful, exactly as others have described, i.e., couldn’t sleep, felt very sick, was sick, as I just had no appetite for 5 days whilst in them. These tablets should make you feel better, not suicidal. Had a terrible headache and felt weird, and anxiety thoughts went through the roof, ended up in A&E on the second day. I have taken 5 ½ days' worth and now binned the others and will take my chances. I will also let my doctor know."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "On the first night of taking this awful antibiotic, I had a really high fever, back pain, and the most blinding headache. I had taken a three-day course before with the same symptoms, but thought it was the UTI itself. I thought I was having an embolism in my brain at one point. Now I know, after one night, it is the side effect of trimethoprim. I won’t touch these lethal drugs ever again."

• Haz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2021

For Bladder Infection "Was prescribed this for a UTI, made me so ill, nausea, terrible constant headache, upset stomach, sweats, chills. I never slept when on them, had weird dreams, and made me anxious. I will never take again and would just rather suffer with the UTI."

• lib...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2023

For Urinary Tract Infection "Worst experience for me because only yesterday I apparently have a UTI, which I don’t believe I do because I have none of the symptoms. This drug made me almost sick on the first round. I had bad side pain still, which was worse than usual, my back is killing. I have a headache and find it hard to wake up but struggle to get to sleep. I've just had my second dose, and I want to stop taking it because I’m in so much pain. I do not recommend."

• MBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "Tried Trimethoprim last year, and it made me feel very nauseous. I was hesitant to take it again, however, this time, I have only had mild nausea, maybe a headache, and a sore jaw. I think every experience is different. It cleared up my UTI, so I’m happy."

• DRU...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "Prescribed 20 of these to take over a period of 10 days. Halfway through, symptoms of UTI have gone, BUT I have awful giddiness and nausea with these. After about 6 hours, it wears off, and I feel great till I swallow the next one. Dizziness means it’s affecting work and a headache/stiff neck. Hope I don’t have to take them again, as it makes me feel horrible!"

• jjj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "Had UTI symptoms and asked GP for a lab test to confirm UTI. GP prescribed Alprim medicine without waiting for the result, saying this medicine is specifically for UTI and better than my previous amoxicillin that worked well for me. 1st day, I felt fine but felt lethargic late afternoon. 2nd day I felt a bit better, so I thought the medicine was working. 3rd day, after an hour of taking it, I had a horrible headache and painful stiff neck! Half my face was numb, and I can feel thumping at the back of my eyes! Checked my BP, and it was so high, 165/105. I thought I had a mini-stroke. Rushed to ER, CT was all normal, and BP went down after they gave me painkillers. I had a gut feeling it was the antibiotics! Took the 4th tablet, and an hour later, I had a throbbing leg. 2 hours later, chills and hot flashes and headache again. Next day, I went straight to GP and asked to be taken off Alprim! Never again! Lab result showed no UTI!!!! Having gone through this, I would prefer UTI!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "Was prescribed Alprim 300 mg, one each night for 5 nights. Took the first tablet. A headache developed fairly quickly. Headache didn't go away. Went to the bathroom. Felt nauseous and weak. On the way back to bed, my head started spinning, and I passed out. Next day, the doctor changed my prescription to Apo-Cephalexin. Have been taking these for 3 days with no headaches or dizziness. Have never had problems with antibiotics before this."

• Don...
• September 9, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "Given nitrofurantoin at the hospital. Bad reaction. A&E gave me trimethoprim 200 mg twice a day for 3 days. Fine first day and thought I was cured, just felt a bit sick, but today no energy, very, very nauseous, palpitations, and headache. Don't really want to take this for another day. If I could actually speak to my GP, it would be a miracle! Don't want to end back in A&E."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2021

For Urinary Tract Infection "I got these on the 19th of July at a dose of 200 mg twice a day for 7 days. The 1st day I got a headache, 2nd day no headache, but felt a bit sickly, 3rd day started to feel normal, 4th day I feel good. I'm taking ibuprofen as well to stop the inflammation and fever. I do feel better, as when I pee, it doesn’t burn, and I can have a cuppa and not run to the bog every minute. I finish the course on Sunday, the 25th of July 2021, I can’t wait, as I’m wanting a beer, lol. But I never got anxiety or anything like that."