Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Acne User Reviews (Page 2)
Brand names: Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Co-trimoxazole, SMZ-TMP DS, Septra DS, Bactrim Pediatric, Bactrim IV, Bethaprim Sulfatrim Pediatric Bethaprim Pediatric …show all brand names
Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim has an average rating of 7.7 out of 10 from a total of 183 reviews for the off-label treatment of Acne. 72% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 17% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim
- Anonymous
- July 22, 2016
Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "As far as acne treatments go that are effective AND affordable Bactrim is a God send. Late 20's I started mildly breaking out. By age 30 I was getting deep painful cystic pimples. Running/ exercising especially made my condition worse. Bactrim DS improves acne within 24 hours.The redness and swelling is not near as noticeable. After about a week you will notice a close to clear complexion that almost glows...I had moderate acne, but I imagine that Bactrim will work for ppl who have severe acne as well. It does have serious internal esp on kidneys and liver bc it is a sulfa drug so you should drink a lot of water every day with this medicince. Do not drink alcohol while taking Bactrim, good luck!"
- Hartmaa
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 16, 2014
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Hands down, the very best medication I've ever been on. My horrific cystic acne and litchen complex completely cleared in 4 months. Mostly clear within 2 weeks. The rest was just getting the dark spots to fade and some steroid cream for the litchen/eczema I had that surrounded all my acne. I suffered for 18 years with acne and did Accutane 4 times and every other oral and topical medicine on the market. This is the only thing that really worked. I have no side effects whatsoever. It is the miracle cure that I wish my other dermatologists had recommended. I take one Bactrim DS once a day- doctor says I can continue indefinitely. I likely will. My skin is stunning for the first time since I've been 19. If others don't work try this!"
Frequently asked questions
- What drugs should be avoided with a sulfa allergy?
- Does Bactrim cause headaches?
- Can I drink alcohol when taking sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim DS?
- What dose of co-trimoxazole is used in a patient with a UTI?
- Noel...
- May 28, 2012
SMZ-TMP DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "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."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- December 11, 2015
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "During college, as an athlete, I experienced a surprise acne issue. But it was relentless in college, never anything serious, but enough to frustrate me. I was prescribed bactrim my junior year and had unbelievable results. It cleared within weeks and if by chance, I ever broke out, the break outs were so minimal and healed so quick. I stayed on it for about a year and then came off of it because I had no more problems. My face stayed pretty good, here and there during the time of the month, but that was it. I just went back on it,a year and a half later, due to frustrating break outs around my chin. Again, nothing serious but I know that Bactrim works so why not! 2 weeks later, clear skin!! TRY IT"
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- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- December 18, 2018
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Bactrim is a miracle. No Joke. I have suffered from acne since puberty and doctors put me on topicals and all the "cyclins" even birth control didn't work. The dermatologist was about to put me on accutane, which I really didn't want to do, so I went to another dermatologist who prescribed me Bactrim. Within two weeks on Bactrim, I was clear and my skin was glowing and soft."
- ALano
- Taken for less than 1 month
- April 23, 2019
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I tried minocycline first and found out I was allergic (broke out in red rash all over my neck and chest), and then my doctor prescribed me the bactrim. This has been a great for me so far. I have really bad cystic acne and scarring and this has cleared it up so much in just a matter of a few weeks with no harsh side effects! Would recommend talking to your doctor about this for acne."
- Elise
- December 27, 2014
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I had moderate to severe hormonal acne on my cheeks, and many breakouts on my chin and forehead as well. A combination of Aczone, Tazerac, and Bactrim (twice a day for about a month, then once a day, now I take it every other day) cleared up my skin almost completely. I rarely get any breakouts, and my skin is glowy. I think the Tazerac is most responsible for clearing up my scarring, so ask your doctor about that too. Bactrim was a lifesaver! SO happy I found it. "
- Maria...
- August 18, 2015
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I've had cystic acne on/off for four years. It would come and go where my skin would be horrible my acne and cysts all over then clear up for a few months. I had a bad breakout and took Doryx which made my acne worse. I switched to bactrim and within 1 month, my breakouts stopped and my larger cysts were going down. About 3 months later, I'm off and my skin has remained clear (minus very small pimples here and there)."
- JnMn
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- February 18, 2019
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I had clear skin until 22 when I broke out with severe acne that bled while I was sleeping and constant pimples popping on my face. It was the most terrifying and most embarrassing time in my life. Dermatologist IMMEDIATELY wanted me on accutane, but suffered a severe side effect. I did my own research and asked to be prescribed Bactrim. After being on this drug now for 6 years my severe acne has almost been reduced to zero.. but some body acne here and there, but this drug has been a miracle.."
- Starla...
- January 6, 2013
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I started taking Bactrim twice a day everyday for a month and my acne has completely healed, now I take it only once a day. I went off of it for about 3 days and only gained back 1 large pimple, but as soon as I went back on the medication the pimple quickly disappeared. I'd say this is better than any face care products I've ever used. Much worth it!"
- Anonymous
- October 4, 2011
SMZ-TMP DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "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."
- Mandyc
- Taken for less than 1 month
- December 27, 2012
Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I have been taking this medicine for a week and my pimples are significantly smaller, which is a plus because I've had severe acne for 3 years now. The only problem is that it gives me insomnia, sweats, headaches in the mornings, stomach sickness, and nausea. The side effects are brutal, and I'm considering finding another solution. This is the third acne medicine I've tried and has helped the most, but also affected me the most negatively."
- Anonymous
- June 3, 2008
Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I've been using this product for a little over a week now and already my skin is clearing up! I've dealt with acne and post-acne scarring for about 3 years now. I am 16 and I'm so glad i found something thats working! I used it along with finacea (azelaic acid) and my skin just keeps improving!"
- jjjjj
- December 30, 2014
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Bactrim worked miracles when I first started taking it. I was on it for almost 5 years, but it began to lose it's potency so I had to change. Overall, it helped a lot in clearing my acne. I did experience less of an appetite, but other than that it was a positive experience."
- Young...
- July 3, 2015
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Bactrim is absolutely amazing for acne.. I had seen 4 different dermatologists by the time I was 17. My face acne has been considered mild, but my acne on my back and chest is moderate to severe. They tried many oral and topical medications, creams/gels on me. Nothing worked. Then finally the last dermatologist I found, he prescribed me to Bactrim 160/800. I can't remember how long I was on it the first time before it kicked in and started working, but I was on it for 2-3 years with absolutely perfect skin. I recently got pregnant and had to stop taking it. My acne slowly came back. Now, I had my son a month ago. My acne is back and is awful. I was able to get prescribed Bactrim again 2 weeks ago (apparently it's safe while nursing). I'm still anxiously waiting for it to kick in.. But I have hope, and know it will. I highly recommend!!"
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- December 3, 2018
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I've struggled with hormonal acne for years and years...this is the ONLY medication that has cleared up my face! I forgot what it was like to have a pimple while I was on this medicine for almost 2 years... I was on it too long though and it caused major side effects and I ended up in the hospital because of it. It's a miracle pill, but be careful how long you use it!"
- Sadne...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- January 4, 2020
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I promised that after I tried this I would share my experience. Yes it works for acne. Yes there is a terriable breakouting period. The breaking out lasts about 3 months I would say. Then you’ve got clear skin. The thing is that once you get off the pill your acne comes back full throttle. What my dermatologist forgot to point out was that you can not stay on this pill forever. It’s dangerous and very unhealthy. So basically I signed myself up for 4 months of clear skin to be met with even worse acne at the gate. I don’t recommend anyone to take this. It gave me false hope and knowing the struggles of acne I hope that know one has to go through this. Best of luck to everyone."
- Anonymous
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 23, 2014
"I was encouraged by these reviews as I started this medicine, and I feel like I am one of the few whose acne didn't clear right up. I've been on it for just under a month now and my acne is the worst it has ever been. I just wanted to share because it seemed like everyone was so happy with it."
- LnnVo
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- June 30, 2014
Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I had mild to severe back acne with constant breakouts on my chest and face. My dermotologist prescribed me this specifically for my back acne but thank goodness it cleared up my face and chest! Before on a scale of 1-10 my face and chest were around a 7 but after being on the medication it's now a 1. My face/chest is now flawless and my back is now only left with scars. My back acne was extremely terrible but after using the medication for a few months, it stopped the breakouts and gave time for my skin to heal. I've used this medication for a little over one year now and I do admit you have to be patient with the medicine. As long as you don't pick and touch your problem spots then it should work nicely. I experienced nausea every morning when I take the medication and a loss in appetite but it's not that bad."
- Anonymous
- February 21, 2012
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I have had bad acne since 6th grade and I am now in 11th grade and started taking Bactrim, it is amazing you take it once in the morning and once at night... I saw results in the first month, now my face it clear, just around my time of the month I get maybe two pimples but they go away fast! Just don't skip! You will break out and have to start over!"
- Charl...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 14, 2017
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I had fairly clear skin until I turned 25. My skin started freaking out and everyday I was waking up with a new cysts under my skin. Most of them gathered on my right cheek. I literally became a hermit for months and months because my self esteem was at an all time low. I could feel people staring at them during conversations. My dermatologist put me on two separate antibiotics and both seemed to actually make my skin worse. At my most recent visit, my dermatologist put me on Bactrim. We both talked about how I will have to get on accutane if this didn't work. After a week of taking Bactrim, my skin is completely clear (minus the scarring). I couldn't be more pleased. Finally feeling like myself again. :)"
- Lizza...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- September 4, 2019
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I got severe acne when I was fourteen years old, from cystic, to regular papules and pustules. There wasn’t a clear spot on my face, back, chest, or shoulders. I went to my PCP, and tried benzoyl peroxide cleanser. That didn’t work, and so I tried doxycycline and then minocycline, and they didn’t work either. Then I got referred to the dermatologist, and he wanted to start me on accutane, but I didn’t like the side effects, so he prescribed me Bactrim. I took a break last year, and started up again this year when it started becoming moderate to severe again. I honestly like the medication. It’s cleared my skin the best, and I haven’t had any side effects from it. I started it in 2017, and it’s now 2019. All I have to do is take it for a short time twice a day, then wean off of it; and if my skin acts up again, I do that again."
- Leesh
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- March 8, 2020
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "This definitely works! It took about six months to clear my face. I have cystic acne and it never was to bad but I tried proactive and it made my face really breakout. I was really embarrassed to go anywhere. My doctor had me try bactrim. I just hate having a really dry throat. I stopped for awhile but decided to try it again since I’m stressed and my chin area started to breakout again. For those of you stopping it after a few weeks or months and saying doesn’t work you didn’t give bactrim a real chance to clear your skin. I use clearasil pads and bactrim. They work wonders. I have light scars on my face but bactrim made me feel pretty again!"
- cano
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 5, 2018
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I've tried absolutely everything and was really depressed with my hormonal, cystic acne. I was feeling hopeless. I told my derm that I was set on accutane but he was persistent about me giving this a shot first. Within a week my acne is 95% gone. TRY IT! I am so thankful for this medication. Don't give up hope :)"
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.
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Bactrim, Septra, Co-trimoxazole, Sulfatrim
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I have been on Bactrim for 5 weeks now and today I decided to stop taking it due to the side effects I'm experiencing. My gums have become inflamed and have a burning sensation that is very bothersome. My face also feels somewhat numb and tingly. I'm disappointed that I can't tolerate this medicine because it really did start clearing up my moderate acne problem. I would recommend giving Bactrim a try..it just didn't agree with me."