SMZ-TMP DS and Headaches: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Mrs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "First time ever taking this medicine. I have had stomach pains and nausea. I did everything the Dr told me to, and I still have the horrible side effects! I thought it was from the UTI. After reading all the other comments, I see it’s from the medication. The Dr only gave me a 3-day supply. I have had a headache from day one of the pills, and I have been constipated, too. Calling the Dr tomorrow to see what we can do to get rid of the side effects. Will not take this ever again!"