Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim for Urinary Tract Infection User Reviews (Page 4)
Brand names: Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Co-trimoxazole, SMZ-TMP DS, Septra DS, Bactrim Pediatric, Bactrim IV, Sulfatrim Pediatric Bethaprim Bethaprim Pediatric …show all brand names
Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim has an average rating of 4.4 out of 10 from a total of 707 reviews for the treatment of Urinary Tract Infection. 29% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 53% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim
- JDK
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 7, 2021
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Okay here is my story..... I’m 3 days in and after the first dose I felt amazing. Next day even better. Today not so good, I have had sweats at least thrice and stomach pains with burping constantly. My tongue is actually peeling. I have had no appetite throughout the course of 3 days thus far!!! I’m stopping it in fear of something even worse happening!! I can not take my daily runs on this medication. Anxiety is high and my mouth hurts!!! I had sepsis 21 months ago which started with a UTI and several antibiotics do not agree with me!!! I will update as time goes on. Right now I want my mouth to stop hurting!!! I would be very cautious if you are prescribed this medication!!"
- Poodle
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 13, 2020
Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Took Bactrim for a UTI for 7 days. On the 6th day, had chills and body aches. Literally could not get off the couch. Went to the doctor and was negative for the flu, and the UTI was gone. Got worse (headache, severe body aches, nausea, diarrhea, no appetite-honestly the worst I've EVER felt) and ended up in the ER for fluids. Stopped taking it 2 days ago and am still feeling effects. Be careful-wished I had stopped taking it at the first sign of stomach discomfort. Glad it's a reliable drug for some, but for me, it was horrid."
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?
- Kathy...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 3, 2014
SMZ-TMP DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "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."
- Lyn
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 12, 2019
Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Have taken Bactrim for frequent UTIs in the past with no side effects. Last night I took the first dose of Bactrim DS for yet another UTI; within 10 min, my vaginal area and lips were itching. Took antihistamine and went to bed. This morning my lower lip is very swollen/red, eyes are bloodshot, and have a round red rash on my upper arm. As the morning continued, I felt major flu-like symptoms: chills, fatigue, muscle/joint pain, headache - like death warmed over. Took aspirin for the pain and went to bed until the intense cold feeling left. The symptoms have abated except for the swollen lip, itchy eyes, and red rash. No idea why I had a reaction this time but will discuss it with my doctor. UTIs are bad enough without then getting very ill from the medication."
Are you taking this medicine?
- Porah
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 8, 2024
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "These negative reviews are over the top. All medications come with minor side effects. After reading the comments, I was almost scared to death to take ANYTHING. I’m currently on Bactrim for a bladder infection. I’ve taken 2 today so far with and without food. No sickness yet, no stomach problems, no rash, or anything like that. The only thing I’ve noticed is that my body has a cool/hot tingling sensation for about an hour after taking it, then it goes away. Nothing big. The pill is also a bit large, but you can break it in half to make it easier for you to take. This is my true and honest experience. Do not let negative comments mislead you."
- not...
- February 20, 2016
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Bactrim doesn't seem to help, have a UTI and the doctor put me on Bactrim, even after I told him it didn't work for me in the past. Been on it for a week, and I can barely urinate. (Cipro has worked well for me). Now the doctor wants me to make another office visit because he gave me an antibiotic that I told him has not worked for me in the past. I asked him to call in a prescription for Cipro, he won't. He is convinced that if Bactrim didn't work, I need another visit. So now I have to pay for another visit. I almost always test negative for UTI, which makes me wonder how inclusive their culture test is. Anyway, ask for Cipro if Bactrim doesn't work."
- Ana
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 17, 2019
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "This is my first and last time I will ever take it. Now, firstly, some people have good experiences with this med, so it's all up to your body. My body said no. The headaches are bad, the rapid heartbeat scared me, and the restlessness was awful, and it made me jittery/nervous. I took the whole dose. You will not know how your body will react to this med until you try it. I have a friend that took it, and she was fine and swore by it, her body makeup is different than mine."
- Bek
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 27, 2019
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Cured my UTI but gave me insomnia, anxiety, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle and joint pain all over my body, and pins/needles feeling all over my body. Ended up going to the hospital for the side effects. So I would not, in any circumstance, recommend this antibiotic."
- Imacble
- July 9, 2017
Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Bactrim has always worked for my UTI. I do see a pattern in the complaints about. The bottle doesn't say not to consume. If you mix Bactrim with the smallest sip of wine, you will get those side effects that I see mentioned. If you take Bactrim, do not consume any wine, beer, or hard liquor."
- Mr Ha...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 22, 2014
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I ended up with a urinary tract infection due to my diabetes. My PA prescribed Bactrim, and I have not experienced any side effects. The burning and urge to urinate, but even after 2 days, still feel like the bladder was not emptied. It is day 5, and I noticed some discoloration in urine in the morning hours. I take it that is due to some bleeding. It went back to clear yellow tonight. I am carefully completing the course of this medication and hope it works for others like it has for me. I feel great!"
- Renee...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 28, 2022
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "While I understand that people who do not have many side effects from meds may think it's a mind over matter thing... some people do experience adverse effects that are seemingly unbearable. I am now myself on Bactrim. Fatigued, depressed, irritable and having nightmares. These side effects haven't gone away even with the best probiotics. I still have another week to go and so I basically have to just suck it up and do the best I can. However, to those of you who can't relate to those of us who have side effects that aren't related to the infection ... please try to be more understanding! Thank you."
- Anonymous
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 28, 2024
"I've taken this many times throughout the years whenever I would get a UTI. I've never experienced any side effects. I can take 1 dose and I'm better sometimes I'll take 2 doses just to be sure, but never have I had to take the whole prescription."
- MMano
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 10, 2019
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Got UTI after my first sexual intercourse. My first UTI as well. Peeing was so painful the doctor prescribed me Bactrim to take it 2 times a day for 3 days. I was so scared reading all the reviews here I was expecting horrible side effects but here i am on my 4th pill and the only side effect I noticed was minor tightness in the chest, which made me breathe heavily around 30 minutes after swallowing the pill. It lasted for like 5 minutes. The painful urination disappeared gradually after taking the first pill. I took it at 12 pm and by night I could urinate without any problems. I took the pill with a full glass of water and I drank a lot of water too to flush out the bacteria. To anyone who needs to take this pill, don't worry too much reading the scary reviews here it works well to clear the infection. Well it depends on your body too I guess. Glad mine works just fine"
- Anonymous
- January 24, 2012
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I took Bactrim for 3 days for a urinary tract infection. I found relief only hours after taking the antibiotics but experienced severe nausea that continued to get worse no matter how much water I drank or how much I ate. Needless to say, I will be calling my family doctor to try something else."
- Msale...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 29, 2020
Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I was authorized to take Bactrim 2 pills a day for 5 days, to cure my UTI . This by far has been the worst side effects I’ve ever experienced while taking antibiotics. I did eat right before taking the pills and I got terrible nausea, light headed spells and muscle cramps. I drank plenty of water to help dissolve the meds that was all that seemed to subside if for a little while."
- Zoe
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 18, 2017
Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Loved it! It did its job. On it for 10 days. This drug has been around a long time - nurses use it all the time for 'older' patients. You MUST take it properly with a disciplined regimen. 1) Take some multi-strain probiotics to add back in more good fighter bacteria. 2) Strains should include yeast to prevent yeast infection. 3) Flush (drown) your system with water - shoot for 12 8 oz glasses a day. Add lemon to some of the water for kidney health. 4) Take psyllium fiber, prune juice when necessary. Your gut will be very unbalanced while the army of good and the army of bad are fighting, and you won't know how many 'soldiers' you have on each side at any given time."
- Breezy
- August 16, 2016
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I called the doctors due to weird symptoms after my 5th day of taking this medication. This concludes (chills, nauseous, diarrhea, headache, and even numbness throughout my entire face, lips, and mouth, and the shakes). The pain I get from my UTIs (burning sensation, hard to pee, and hurts). I felt like Bactrim made my pains worse, the burning was 100x worse! I felt as if I was dying!!!! I even had severe insomnia up until 6-7 am! Called the doctors and they said I should have called when the headaches and shakes came along! Cut me off it immediately and prescribed me Macrobid instead. Hope it helps!!"
- LizG
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 6, 2019
SMZ-TMP DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "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."
- Mae
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 3, 2023
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "As someone who's always chronically nauseous (I even get nauseous when taking simple medications like Tylenol), this medicine is amazing compared to the other medications I've taken for a UTI. The first day, I took it with food (oatmeal to be specific) and drank a yogurt (probiotic). Within an hour, I felt like the inside of my body was burning but nothing else out of the ordinary. I was not nauseous, nor did I have a headache or diarrhea like many people have complained about. I say make sure to take it with probiotics and foods heavy in fiber. It saved me! I'm on the second day (third dose) and I feel nothing. UTI is almost cleared up, but make sure to take ALL of your medication so it won't come back worse."
- jro
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 22, 2018
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Never again! I was put on this for 3 days-2 pills a day for a UTI. I was laid up in bed for 4 days. I was extremely nauseous, chills, sweats, headache, dizzy, couldn’t eat a single thing, and after day 2, I got a SEVERE yeast infection. The pain was unlike anything that has ever happened to me. I took 2 trips to the doctor and over a week to feel somewhat normal again down there. This was way too strong and unnecessary for a simple UTI infection. Never will I ever take this again. I wish I could give it a zero, I am still having nightmares about this drug."
- Anonymous
- June 8, 2016
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "My experience was horrible! Prescribed 2 pills a day for 3 days. After the last pill, I started feeling strange and had severe headaches from the time I started taking it until a week later. I didn't think much of it until I went home from work and didn't leave the couch. I had no appetite, constipated, sweating and chills. I wanted to puke, my eyes hurt so bad. Couldn't shake whatever was going on and drank as much water as possible. My body was sore, I slept almost an entire weekend away. I can't tell if my UTI is completely gone or not because I'm still constipated and it hurts! I've never had an antibiotic like this, and I never want it again! All my doc told me was to keep pushing fluids and eat yogurt. Good luck, people."
- Lynn
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 21, 2019
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Started taking Bactrim on a Saturday night for a UTI. I expected to feel better by the morning (I’ve had two other UTI's and I’ve felt better after the first pill). I woke up Sunday morning feeling almost exactly the same. I started to get the worst headaches of my life. Constant throbbing and feeling nauseous. My husband said just keep taking it and let the drugs run their course. Fast forward to Tuesday night, 7 pills in, I’m still feeling awful, still getting headaches. While reading reviews, I was shocked at all the horrible side effects. Like I said, I’ve taken two different antibiotics for two other UTI's and didn’t feel as awful as I did while taking Bactrim. I’m on a different antibiotic now so we’ll see."
- Jtano
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 29, 2020
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "I took the first dose of Bactrim and developed a headache which I treated with Ibuprofen. I took pill #2 at bedtime. I woke during the night with an excruciating headache from my face to the back of my head. I made my way to the bathroom and took a couple more ibuprofen but had extreme nausea. The left side of my neck began to hurt and spread down to my upper back and shoulder. The pain was so severe I couldn’t stand to touch my neck or head. My temperature was 99.2 after taking ibuprofen. The pain began to let up the next day after stopping the Bactrim, but my abdomen became bloated and painful. Now, two weeks later, I’m still suffering with bloating, gas pain, rumbling, and discomfort. I texted my dr and asked her to write in my chart that I will never take Bactrim again."
- Capyb...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 15, 2019
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Horrible, horrible mediation. I was put on a 7 day course of Bactrim for a fairly mild UTI by local urgent care and the day after starting my dosage I experience SEVERE heightened anxiety, panic attacks, low fever, back tension and pain, uncontrollable shaking, and insomnia. Some hallucinations and nausea as well. After day three I couldn’t take it any longer and stopped taking it— most of the severe symptoms went away within 24 hours but it’s been almost 3 since quitting and my muscle pain and anxiety are still far worse than they were before taking Bactrim."
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.
Learn more about Urinary Tract Infection
- Antibiotic Resistance: The Top 10 List
- Antibiotic Shortages: A Serious Safety Concern
- Antibiotics 101: Common Names, Types & Their Uses
- Antibiotics and Birth Control Pill Interactions
- Antibiotics For UTI Treatment - What Are My Options?
- Anticholinergic Drugs to Avoid in the Elderly
- Can You Drink Alcohol with Antibiotics?
- Common Side Effects from Antibiotics, and Allergies and Reactions
- Why Don’t Antibiotics Kill Viruses?
Care guides
- Gonorrhea
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Kidney Infection
- Ovarian Abscess
- Prostatitis
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Trichomoniasis
Medicine.com guides (external)
More about sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (1,716)
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- Patient tips
- During pregnancy
- Support group
- Drug class: sulfonamides
- En español
Patient resources
- Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim drug information
- Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Advanced Reading)
- Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Tablets
- Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Injection
- Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Suspension
Other brands
Bactrim, Septra, SMZ-TMP DS, Cotrim, ... +3 more
Professional resources
- Sulfamethoxazole Trimethoprim Oral Suspension prescribing information
- Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim (FDA)
- Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Double Strength (FDA)
- Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Injection (FDA)
- Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Suspension (FDA)
Other brands
Bactrim, Septra, Co-trimoxazole, Sulfatrim
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) "Started taking Cipro for a bladder infection but had some bad side effects in the tendon in my right hand. Went back to the Dr. and he gave me Bactrim (Septra). I took it for 3 days in total before I had to stop. The symptoms literally made me feel like I was dying. I had a really foggy head, headaches, dizziness, I almost passed out one day. I got zero sleep the whole time I was on it. My joints hurt in the night, my skin got really itchy and developed a rash, I also developed extreme anxiety and I felt like I was having a heart attack with the palpitations. I was close to panic attack, that's when I said enough is enough. I've never had a reaction like that and I have trouble remembering those days. It was a blur of pain and confusion."