Side Effects Of Bactrim (Top voted first)

I need to know of any side effects that may occur while taking this medication.

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I experienced fever, severe headache, weakness & lethargy, (I needed help to walk), bloodshot, oozing eyes (similar to severe conjunctivitis), stiff & achy back, shoulders & neck, itchy skin all over, achy joints, and the feeling of having a lump in my throat. I won't take this medication again. It was pretty scary!

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I HAVE JUST BROUGHT MY HUSBAND HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE HE HAD A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION TO BACTRIM. I TOOK HIM TO THE DR. TWICE LAST WEEK AND THEY SAID HE HAD A VIRUS ON TOP OF THE INFECTION. BY FRIDAY, I TOOK HIM TO THE ER BECAUSE HE WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL. HE HAD TAKEN 9 DAYS OF IT. HE HAS FEVERS RANGING FROM 99.7-103*; SEVERE THROBBING HEADACHE; RED GLASSY EYES; EXTREME LETHARGY; NAUSEA; CHILLS; AND A REDDISH-PURPLE RAISED BURNING RASH FROM HEAD TO TOE. THE RASH LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE SUNBURN WITH PIMPLES OVER IT. AFTER THE RESIDENT TOLD ME HE THOUGHT IT WAS A BACTRIM REACTION I THOUGHT HE WAS NUTS. MY SISTER-IN-LAW (WHO BY THE WAY IS A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE ICU AND TRANSPLANT NURSE) AND I WERE GOING TO HAVE HIM TRANSFERRED IN THE AM TO A DIFFERENT HOSPITAL UNTIL SHE; AND I ON MY IPHONE IN THE HOSPITAL ROOM; STARTED RESEARCHING BACTRIM FEVERS. HIS SYMPTOMS MATCHED THOSE OF MOST OTHERS ON VARIOUS SITES CONCERNING THIS POSSIBLY FATAL REACTION.
IF ANYONE STARTS HAVING ANY OF THOSE SYMPTOMS, STOP THE BACTRIM RIGHT AWAY. MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TFOR 10 DAYS; BUT STARTED HAVING THE SYMPTOMS ON THE 4TH DAY. ALL OF HIS BLOODWORK IS ABNORMAL-MOST IMPORTANTLY LOW WHITE, RED AND PLATELET CELLS. hIS KIDNEYS HAD BEGUN SHUTTING DOWN, AND HIS LIVER WAS BEGINNING TO SHOW SIGNS OF DAMAGE. THEY RELEASED HIM FROM THE HOSPITAL AFTER 2 DAYS BUT HE IS NO BETTER THAN WHEN I TOOK HIM IN. THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO IN THE HOSPITAL. WE JUST HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE BACTRIM TO GET OUT OF HIS BLOODSTREAM. I HAVE BEEN READING ON OTHER SITES THAT PEOPLE SOMETIMES HAVE LIFELONG EFFECTS AFTER HAVING A REACTION THIS SEVERE. MY HUSBAND HAS NEVER BEEN SICK A DAY IN HIS LIFE AND ONLY TOOK THE BACTRIM FOR A MINOR MRSA INFECTION. HIS FEVERS HAVE NOW BEEN GOING ON FOR A WEEK AND HE IS SO WEAK THAT HE IS ONLY SLEEPING, URINATING, AND EATING WHATEVER I CAN TRY TO SHOVE DOWN HIS THROAT WHILE HE IS AWAKE FOR ALL OF 10 MINUTES.
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THIS DRUG IS STILL ON THE MARKET?????? MY HUSBANDS CASE IS NO LONGER A RARE OCCURRENCE WHEN YOU CAN GO ON OTHER SITES AND FIND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME REACTION.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH THIS DRUG!!

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I just started taking Bactrim like 4 days ago for a uti. I have gotten the headaches. And ive been feeling like im getting a cold with the stuffy nose and cough. I also get this like really sharp pain in my left knee if i put my weight on that leg. It feels like my bone is just gonna like pop out. Could this be from the Bactrim also?

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My 9yr old daughter was prescribed Bactrim for treatment of a bladder infection. 2 pills twice a day for 7 days on 8th day she broke out in severe hives and a red pin point rash all over her body head to toes she also ran a fever. She has had the rash so far for 4days. Doctor says rash is possible side effect or possible allergic reaction.

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Are there any risks to taking this medication understanding that the patient is 35 weeks pregnant?

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I am a Cystic Fibrosis patient, and Bactrim is a wonder drug for me, because it covers so many bacteria types. However, whenever I start a cycle of Bactrim, TWO TOES get painfully itchy. It feels like I have athlete's foot. The same two toes every time blow up and look like mini sausages and are tender and itch like crazy. It usually goes away in a day or two. Any advice?

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To Janet (20th post) Some of these postings make you laugh? Are you kidding? I'm in the midst of a SEVERE BACTRIM Reaction. HIgh fevers, headache, lethergy and I am crawling out of my skin with a rash that is head to toe, even on my ears.

I would advise anyone taking this drug to be very careful and well monitered.

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I have been taking Bactrim for 6 days for a sinus infection and i have noticed for the last 4 days i can be sitting not doing anything and all of a sudden my face gets real hot and i look like a tomato! Is that normal?

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My daughter developed Stephen Johnsons Syndrome from taking Bactrim for 9 days she ended up in Egelston and lost all of her skin she had blisters that popped and peeled off and was treated as a burn patient. The doctor said if she had been an adult she wouldn't have probably made it. She is allergic to the Sullfer in it but who knows they are allergic till they try!! Though prayer she made it and is fine 20 years later!!!

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I was given Bactrim and now I'm suffering with the most severe skin rash I've ever seen , the itching is unbearable the look of my skin on my feet legs and arms is disgusting it's red and irritated and in patches I have been going through this for a month right now although my doctor it will go away eventually I still haven't seen any good results and it's been a month,, if anyone has any kind of remedy I'll try anything

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You can't take Bactrim if you are allergic to sulfa (ie. that case of hives)

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Oh, I also got the headaches and bloodshot eyes like others

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I was diagnosed with a staph infection three weeks ago. I was given bactrim ds 2 pills 2 times a day. I noticed that I would get warm after I took the pills. Each day it seemed to get warmer, until I just was hot all of the time. Asked the pharmacist about it, she said that was normal, just take a Tylenol with the doses. Then on the sixth day, I got sick to my stomach. Was up all night vomiting violently. Called the doctor she said no it's not the bactrim must have been something you ate. Felt better later, continued taking the pills. Didn't throw up again. Then on the 9th day broke out in hives, didn't think this was from the med since I had been on it for so long. By the evening my whole body looked like it had been sunburned, arms were swelling. Hives went away, but attends and face felt and looked sunburned. Went to the er and they immediately pointed to the bactrim. They gave me oral prednisone and told me to take benadryl. I went home but as soon as the prednisone wore off the sunburn rash came back. I went to my doctor on Monday, she gave me a shot and more prednisone. Overall its getting less red, my face is still breaking it in rash when the oral steroid wears off, but not as bad. But I worry that this isn't going to stop when I'm off the steroids. I just wish I had never gotten on this horrible drug. How long does it take to recover from this? How long does this junk remain in your system?

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TMILLER
I'm not sure why you felt the need to state the obvious. This forum is for people who have had reactions to Bactrim, and how (IF they have) been able to recover. From my understanding you do not meet this criteria. Your comment is not helpful. The people on here are suffering and looking for relief. Not some smart a** remark.
Using my own common sense due to the plethora of severe reactions I now know know Bactrim causes, I will always advise people to avoid this medication, like the plague. After my reaction, and I was mentioning what had caused it, at least 90% of the general population I spoke to knew & had had a severe reaction to Bactrim. I believe this medicine does more harm than good and if the medical field was more willing to listen to their patients, this drug would be removed from the market.

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I agree. I have never had a problem with antibiotics before but I had to stop taking this after two days. I developed hives, headaches, sore throat and extreme nervousness and insomnia. From the stories I've read since, I'm glad I quit when I did. And why is anyone prescribing this, especially without disclosing the side effects. Someone needs to start a petition, if there isn't one already.

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How long did your side effects end up lasting? I got on Bactrim 8 days ago for 5 days (2x a day) and about 12 hours after I had finished my last dose I broke out in hives all over my body (but not on my face or mouth) and a fever. That was around 2 am on Saturday night. I took benedryl before I went to bed and my rash had improved when I woke up, but I was still feverish, bright red, itchy, and rashy. My eyes were also very swollen. I took aleve and claritin, which helped with the hives and fever, and slept all day, and then took 2 more benedryl and slept all night. The next day my eyes were still puffy and I didn't have hives and was bright red. I was now super itchy. I went to urgent care (this was during mardi gras) and got a steroid shot and a prescription to presnisone, which has helped a ton! I wish I went as soon as the symptoms didn't go away after 1 benedryl. Its now Tuesday and I am still very itchy and very red, and am taking my daily dose of presnisones. How long did the symptoms subside for everyone else. I still don't feel that great- a little shakey, tired, and my skin gets really hot.

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I took one dose of Bactrim and within an hour I got a massive headache. Within three hours, I got a musscle (head,back,neck) pains, blood shot eyes, shortness of breath, vomiting, couldn't walk. I was taken to the ER where the doctor tried to say I had Meningitis (which I didn't). When I refused a spinal tap and said I was having a reaction to the Bactrim they gave me Benyadryl and sent me home. I was sick in bed for a whole week and I am finally starting to feel better. I will never take that antibiotic again !!! Beware of this drug!!

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I have been taking bactrim for about 6 months now for acne, and the only side affect I had was a mild mild rash the first week of taking it. I have had no other side effects from this drug. I really think it depends on the person, and for how long you are using it. I take my pill twice a day.

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I took Bactrim DS for a uti for 10 days. Starting on the second day I started shaking internally- like my whole body was shaking from the inside out. I also had terrible night sweats, anxiety, depression and heart palpitations which I've never had before in my life. The side effects lessened as I progressed toward 10 days. However, after I finished taking it all the symptoms came back. It's like I am going through withdrawal from an addictive substance. These side effects have lingered for 6, going on 7 weeks now. As I'm typing this my heart is beating really weird. I still wake up feeling depressed and sick to my stomach. It's been such a horrible, scary experience. In order to possibly help my body heal from taking such a horrible drug, I've been taking a multi vitamin, b complex, fish oil , D and a probiotic. Does anyone know how long side effects from Bactrim can linger in the body?

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@ Melissa. It took me 4-6 weeks to feel ok after this poison wreaked havoc on my body. I drank tons of water (almost enough to make me sick) and even though I felt weak and tired I hopped on the treadmill and "sweat it out" I swear it helped... Also probiotics helped my digestion get back on track. Good luck.

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I am curious if anyone else has had any of these side effects from taking bactrim. My mouth is so swollen with blisters ...

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