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BACTRIM: 2 April 2011
Dear Brian,
I was doing some research on the Internet and I came across your
articles concerning Bactrim and Sulfatrim. My father died of an
allergic reaction to sulfatrim in 1998 at age 83. He took very few
medications but was prescribed this medication for a urinary track
infection. I still have the bottle with two pills left in it. The
prescription was filled for 10 pills with directions to take two a day.
He had been complaining that the pills were hard to swallow. My mother
called the doctor and was told he should break the pills in half but to
continue taking them. What was actually happening was a swelling of his
throat. My mother found him on the floor a few hours later. |
The paramedics asked if he had been stung by a bee because
they had trouble doing the tracheotomy due to the swollen throat. He
died later in the hospital. When I arrived in town that evening and
learned that he had been taking sulfatrim I couldn't believe it. I had
been prescribed bactrim for a sinus infection and I had an allergic
reaction. I even looked the drug up in the Merck Manual and read that
"this drug should not be prescribed to the elderly". This has bothered
me all these years. I wanted my mother to report it so this wouldn't
happen to anyone else. Since that time I have met many many people who
have had allergic reactions to this drug but they didn't die; they just
stopped taking it.
Barbara S, Mt Pleasant, SC.
BACTRIM: 7 April 2011
Hi Brian
I went to my doctor for a sore throat and bad cough. He told
me that I had strep throat, middle ear infection and bronchitis and he
gave me a prescription which was (Bactrim) Apo-Sulfatrim DS 800/160mg.
The pharmacist went over some of the issues with taking this drug which
is routine if you have never taken the drug. I am diabetic and 63 years
old and from the first dose of the medication I started to feel
differently. Within two days of taking this medication I began to
experience severe back pains and loss of appetite and generally feeling
like I was in a fog and things seemed out of place for me, kind of like
I was displaced.
I went on a business trip on day three of taking this drug
and last evening was the worst night of my life. I was not able to
sleep at all which is NOT normal for me because if I see a pillow, I am
already asleep. I tossed and turned all night long and was
hallucinating all night long with a reoccurring dream. My chest was
heaving, my breathing was very rapid and when I briefly fell asleep, I
felt like I was drowning. This went on all night long and this morning
I decided to search the Internet for the side effects of this drug.
I was shocked to hear of so many people who were experiencing
some of the same symptoms that I was and some of the reactions to
ingesting this medication. I have has allergic reactions to medications
over the years so I know some of the problems when you combine other
medications. Some medications have their strength altered or changed if
you take them with grapefruit (juice or otherwise) or even a variety of
mixed juice that may contain grapefruit.
Why is this drug still on the market? There must be other
drugs that are just as effective as Bactrim (maybe more expensive than
Bactrim) but without these side effects. I believe that doctors and
pharmacists need to collaborate much more than they do so they can be
more informed of the possible dangers of prescription medications. Not
too many pharmacists will disagree with a Dr. s prescription because
that is NOT their function in life and that is rather sad.
Thank you for allowing me to post my story and thank you for bringing this to the attention of the concerned public.
Wayne W.
BACTRIM: 10 April 2011
Brian:
I came across your web site as a result of researching the drug
Bactrim. A close friend just lost her 16 year old son who was
prescribed this drug as a result of a mrsa skin infection. We do
not know whether the Bactrim DS had anything to do with it, but after
taking the drug for about 3 days he developed flu like symptoms, a
temperature, and general feelings of malaise and dizziness. He
was taken to the Doctor 7 days after he began the drug (and the day
before he died) and was not given anything else but was told he had a
viral infection. He did not develop SJ syndrome which is a known
allergic reaction, but at this point nearly 5 months after his death
the coroner still has not been able to determine a cause of death in
spite of extensive testing. I was hoping you had information you
could email me about any bactrim deaths and/or autopsy findings since
we have been unable to find anything here in the states other than the
anecdotal comments on your web site.
Len P.
SEPTRIN: 27 April 2011
Dear Brian Deer
I have just discovered your website about the harmful effects
of Septrin and have been very interested to read it. We discovered
about 4 years ago that my daughter (now 17) has a compromised immune
system (very low T cells)....and she was proscribed a dose of 2 x
400/80 Co- trimoxazole (ie 400mg sulfamethoxazole and 80mg
trimethoprim) on two consecutive days a week to prop her immune system up. She was
ostensibly very healthy and had not suffered much illness at all as a
child but it was thought she should have these just in case. Though
very anti antibiotics as a rule, I felt we had no option but to follow
this advice (from immunologists at Great Ormond Street).
However, she has over the past four years become increasingly
anxious and now regularly suffers from panic attacks (or, more
correctly, the fear of having them)... This is obviously having a very
negative impact on her (and family) life, as she feels unable to be
alone at any point. We have seen various psychotherapists/councillors/
hypnotherapists/doctors and, this morning, were proscribed Prozac by
our family doctor in an attempt to help her get on top of this problem.
This was obviously a last resort and one I was very loath that she
should follow, so I have spent the day online trying to find yet
another alternative solution. And then I found your website. Until
today - stupidly - I had never considered a link between her state of
mind and the seemingly lose dose of Septrin she takes weekly.... but
now I am wondering if there very well might be a connection.
With all good wishes
Rebecca T.
Sulfameth: 29 May 2011
Hi Brian.
I ran across your article on sulfameth side effects and thought I would
share my experience. I was treated for a staph infection with
sulfameth and cipro for two weeks. I've taken cipro before and never
had a bad reaction to the drug but this was my first time on
sulfameth. After two weeks the skin infection was almost healed
so the doc put me on two more weeks of sulfameth and bactrim and took
me off the cipro. Within 3 days of the second treatment I began having
trouble breathing. Two days later I broke out in a bumpy rash and had
fever, night sweats, lips darkened and my urine was like syrup. The dr
took me off the sulfameth and told me to take a antihistamine. The
symptoms got progressively worst. I went to the ER three times. I was
put on all kinds of antihistamines. My body was in revolt. I had the
hiccups for a week after being on a steroid. I had hives. Total
disaster.
After two weeks finally the symptoms eased up. The hives
disappeared. My skin started to peel but the doc said that is a good
thing because my normal skin will grow back. I was very itchy and now I
am developing pimple looking bumps on my scal, neck, chest and back.
Even had one in my ear.
That medication is absolutely the most dangerous drug out there. I'm
thinking about hiring an attorney. And reading on the net there are
many people who had severe reaction to sulfa drugs.
Just wanted to share my experience with you.
Dwight C.
BACTRIM: 13 June 2011
I began Bactrim for a suspected urinary tract infection.
First I lost my appetite, then I started to experience side effects
that were consistent with liver failure. But at first I wasn't alarmed
but as I got sicker I realized that my liver was at stake and I stopped
the Bactrim. Most people don't understand that drugs can kill. Two days
later and I am still suffering but not as badly. Bactrim is only
prescribed because it is cheap. I live in America and I am poor and
cannot afford high priced drugs but I know costs go way down when one
is dead.
Marc F.
SEPTRA: 19 June 2011
First of all, I would like to thank you for helping me through my traumatic event that I'm just getting over.
About a month ago, a was stung by an insect on my hand and
the next day, it became so swollen that I could barely move it. I went
to an urgent care and was diagnosed with cellulitis and was given
Septra , 2 pills twice a day, just in case of an infection. The
day I took those pills, I had a huge head ache, eye pain and body
aches. I figured that I did have an infection and my body was just
fighting it. That night, I felt so bad, I had my husband take me to
ER. I had a fever of 103, so they gave me an IV and did blood
work. After 5 hrs, they said I was just fighting an infection and to
rest the next day.
I continued the meds and suffered the next day in bed. When
I was able to, I would wake up and do some research on the Internet on
my condition. This is when I thought that there could be a possibility
that I could be having a drug reaction. My symptoms were:
migraine, eye pain, body and extreme joint pain, high fevers, feeling
that I was dying.
The next day, I called my trusted family doctor and he wanted to see me
right away. All of this was going on during the weekend, so I was
unable to see her in the first place. By that time, the swelling had
gone down almost all the way but I was still feeling awful. She said it
was unlikely that it could be an allergic reaction and to just take 1
pill instead of 2. When I got home, I held off from taking
the pill until the last min. to bed. I was feeling better........
But, as soon I took it, I felt deathly sick again. That just confirmed
it. The next morning, I called my doc to tell her I'm taking myself
off. For two days after, I was still sick, but without a head
ache and fever. The last day, all I felt was nausea and had a nasty
taste in my mouth, but I felt like I was getting another chance with
life. It was really that bad, and I'm a tuff cookie.
I just wonder if my family doctor and the doctors I saw are
aware of this terrible drug and playing dumb... I can't believe I
went through all that unnecessary pain. Im fortunate to be able to take
it as a learning experience, but for those less fortunate, something
needs to be done about this. Thank you again. I don't know
how bad things would have gone if it wasn't for this
website.
TRIMETHOPRIM: 25 June 2011
This is such a useful website. I finished a three day
dose of Trimethoprim last night, and since I began taking it was
experiencing intense itchiness on my legs, and a little on my arms
too. I also have bruising all the way down my left thigh. I
had a feeling this might all be down to the drug, so I googled various
things and came across your page.
I'm still feeling itchy a day after stopping it, and keep
feeling hot and feverish, this comes and goes. I am most worried
about the bruising, which I've read can be the first sign of some
serious reactions, and could be due to changes in the blood or organ
functions.
BACTRIM DS: 1 July 2011
Hello Mr. Deer;
I was put on this drug 3 weeks ago (after having been on
Keflex for a month) to fight a cellulitis infection of my left leg
following surgery (knee replacement). The surgeon wanted me to continue
taking this drug for a month, but after I noticed a definite decrease
in my urine output together with blood pressure dropping below normal,
I started scouring the net for information and found your web site
posting on Bactrim. Thank you for that information! I am discontinuing
its use starting tomorrow, and I have an appointment in 5 days to see
my General Practitioner ("regular" doctor) with the hope that she can
find a way to deal with what is left of the cellulitis infection and
bring my blood pressure back to normal range. I never would have known
that this drug is so severely restricted in the UK had it not been for
your article, of course here in the US"anything goes" for as long as
the drug companies can get away with it.
Regards,
Curtis N.
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BACTRIM-INDUCED MENINGITIS: 23 July 2011
I just got out of the hospital after almost dying from
meningitis after taking Bactrim for an infection. I had a
cut on my arm that turned into MRSA, so they decided to treat it
with Bactrim. 20 minutes after taking the first dose I was
convulsing and on my way to the ER. I was not conscious the first
several days when they were trying to figure out what was wrong with
me, but they performed every test they could think of and told my
family that I had a 50/50 shot of surviving whatever this was.
In the end the doctors agreed that it was Bactrim Induced Aseptic
Meningitis. This is supposedly a rare condition, but after
searching the web I am finding otherwise.
People need to be aware of the risks of Bactrim and other sulfa antibiotics.
Alison J. |
SEPTRIN: 25 July 2011
Dear Brian,
I have just come across your website with relation to Septrin.
I am now nearly 38 and was prescribed Septrin when I was 17
for bronchitis. I took the first two doses and on the second morning of
treatment had a reaction and started vomitting. I rang my GP and she
told to stop taking it and to inform any future doctors that I was
allergic to Septrin. I really haven't though about this for quite a
long time. I started severe diarrhoea, itchy feet, hives a short while
after that was so bad I was sent to an infectious diseases clinic to be
tested for Salmonella - this proved negative. But the diarrhoea
continued and continued and got to the point where I could be sitting
and eating a meal and would have to leave the table - my father was
convinced I was a really bad bulimic (not clinically bad but really bad
at doing it!).
Anyway, I went to college and got a job on a fishfarm on the
west coast of Ireland working in a disease diagnostics lab, part of my
job was to organise the doses of antibiotics to be mixed in the salmon
feed. One of the antibiotics was Sulphatrim. I had no reaction then.
However within six months of leaving the job the severe diarrhoea was
back.
These symptoms became worse and worse to the point where I was having
mucous and then some blood in the diarrhoea. I was sent for a
colonoscopy to see what the problem was. I had always informed any
medical person about my allergy to Septrin. I was diagnosed with nearly
99% sure its Ulcerative Colitis and was prescribed Dipentum
(Olasalazine) and my symptoms got worse so I stopped taking them and I
got better. But my consultant told me I was a 'stupid wee girl' for not
taking the medication. I had persistent vaginal swelling for nearly two
years and actually used to wee pus and blood. But nothing ever turned
up infection wise when I went to my GP. I had a raging persistent
thirst and was told I had a form of diabetes. Raging migraines.
Anyway I went for a second colonoscopy because my sister was
worried that I was 'so ill'. Same consultant and he changed my
diagnosis to nearly 99% sure Crohn's Disease and my prescription to
Salazapyrin (Sulphasalazine) again knowing about the Septrin etc etc. I
came off it again very shortly after so my life has been an up and down
battle for fourteen years. I get an antibiotic my bowel goes bad I go
on Salazapyrin and steroids for a bit and then i start to feel really
really bad and realise how much better I feel without the medication
and come off it again. I didn't know until a couple of months ago that
you could have an allergic reaction to Salazapyrin!! But since then
I've become highly educated.
Anne-Marie D.
BACTRIM HORROR: 26 July 2011
Greetings Brian!
I am blessed and grateful to still be alive after ingesting
one 800 mg Bactrim generic tablet prescribed for a UTI that may never
had existed. I went to ER at a local private hospital presenting
dysuria symptoms. I was told that my urine sample was clear of any
infection and was to be visited by a physician that would procede with
a gynecological exam- pap smear. Minutes later another doctor came in
checked for pressure and pain by feeling my stomach and lower pelvis. I
explained that I felt pain and pressure in the area that he pointed out
as the location of my bladder. I stated to the doctor that a nurse
explained that the urine sample was clean. He insisted that eventually
it would show signs of a UTI later and prescribed Bactrim 800 mg twice
a day for one week.
I took one tablet and within fifteen minutes my vaginal and
anal area began to burn and itch. In three hours my throat began
swelling. Now four days later I have a blister on my neck, sore throat,
chaffing and swollen labia and perineal area, swollen lips, tongue with
rawness. My eyes were swollen too pink and red and itchy. The doctor
refused to write a new script and when I returned to ER I was told to
keep taking them with Benadryl. (I guess "FOOL" is written on my
head.)
Had I known that this site was available I would have never
taken it or purchased this 12 dollar "lethal weapon". This needs to be
taken off the market permmanently. It is DEADLY!
SMZ/TMP: 7 August 2011
Mr. Deer,
Hello my name is Shawn Foreman. I am 29 & I live in
Goldsboro, North Carolina. I have read this page about septra or
whatever you want to call it, I have also scanned over some of the
emails on the page. And as a patient who is currently taking the drug
& has been for about a week now - with no adverse effects - I have
to conclude that this is just like any other drug. Some people can take
it and some people can't because they're allergic or they're body can't
process the chemicals for whatever reason.
I myself was prescribed
Flomax 2 weeks ago and only took it twice because of the way it made me
feel. But this is not the doctor nor the pharmaceutical company's fault
because there is no way to tell every outcome ever possible on every
drug on every person. Yes, there is a lot of money in pharmaceuticals
but I don't think any of them own a crystal ball or magic wand. This is
just my view on the topic, thank you for your time.
BACTRIM: 13 August 2011
Hi Mr. Deer-
Thanks so much for compiling these. These stories are far too
common and if it stays on the market at all, this drug should be
reserved as a last resort and people should be warned.
I was prescribed Bactrim for a sinus infection, which was
secondary to a case of swine flu, in March 2011. I had been sick for
several weeks and taking Bactrim for 4 or 5 days when my fever shot up,
I had difficulty breathing (I needed sudafed to sleep), and I felt
mentally disoriented and physically awful and could not eat or stay
hydrated. I was also developing more and more bumps and red patches all
over my body, some of which have left scars.
I went to a hospital clinic and my blood pressure was
dangerously low, so I was put on an IV. Luckily the doctor was familiar
with such drug reactions and was able to diagnose it quickly. My liver
levels were also off.
It took weeks, close to 2 months, to get back to feeling
'normal.' Luckily my liver re-test was OK, but I worry there was damage
that will haunt me later in life. As I said, I still have some scarring
and the ordeal almost lost me a job and did cost me several thousand
dollars, which I am still paying off.
Thanks,
Mary E S, Boston, MA.
SIDE EFFECTS OF SEPTRA: 19 August 2011
Just wanted to ask if you know of anyone that has been
affected by the anitibiotic "Septra". I have taken it for 26 days, and
my speech becomes impaired at times .. My tongue and lips feel swollen
after reading aloud or speaking for a length of time.. I also noticed
that when I eat it does the same ... I would appreciate it if you would
email me and let me know because I have been thru MRI s and blood test
and cannot find anything wrong .... Thank you so much....
Preacher B
SMZ/TMP DS 800-160: 25 August 2011
Thank you for having this website...it appears you are the
only one that has info re: side effects of this med as well as the half
life. Neither my dr. or my pharmacist ever takes me seriously or
believes me when I ask questions about any med I think I'm reacting to
it.
I was given it on 23 Aug. I started it that day. I'm supposed to take
2 daily but since it was late in the day I only took one. I took it
again (1) the next a.m. I forgot about taking the second one and
that evening I noticed my lower lip appeared
to have swelled up. I thought it was just my bad eyes and dismissed it.
This a.m. it was clear my lower lip was definitely swollen
along with the top layer of skin outside the lip, just under my lower
lip line, was gone. Not a large
section but enough to hurt.
Yes, I took it again this a.m. not thinking it could be the med.
When sores mysteriously appeared on the inside of the upper lip as well as a few on the inside lower lip along with
horrific neck pain and a banger of a headache, I got suspicious and started reading up on side effects.
Much to my surprise, the things I mentioned could be from
the SMZ/TMP DS. I called the pharmacy and my dr. and was duly
dismissed....those things can't possibly be from the med. It's most
likely the OA/smoking.
Since I already have severe spinal problems warranting opiod meds, the stiff neck was blamed on that and the mouth
problem "most likely" was from a cold.
I went on the med for what the dr. thought was bronchitis, as it turned out, x-rays did not show any active disease in
my lungs.
I am not taking this med ever again and hope no dr.slips it
to me under another name that I'm not familiar with that is the same
thing, just a different name.
I am downright miserable right now but hopefully in 2-3 days I'll feel better.
Thank you for being here and having this website!!!
SEPTRA: 7 September 2011
Hello Brian,
My name is Doris Edwards. I am 49 years old from Memphis,
Tennessee. In October 2008, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I
currently take Lisinopril, Metformin-(I am not currently taking this
drug because of my doctor's orders), Novolin, Simvastatin, Novolog,
Albuterol, Naproxen, Klor-Con, Zyrtec, Advair, Furosemide and
Omeprazole.
About five months ago, I had a urinary tract infection
that was diagnosed by my doctor. She gave a prescription called
Septra. After just the third day, I started experiencing bad side
effects. I had diarrhea, fever, chills and convulsions that was
ongoing for days. For a week, I experienced all these symptoms.
The
first initial emergency room visit, I had a fever of 104 degrees and
that was Saturday, June 25, 2011. The emergency room diagnosed me with
rheumatoid fever and possible lupus. He told me to return to my doctor
for a follow up within seven days. That Tuesday, which was June 28,
2011, I was going to my follow up appointment for what I went in that
Saturday for and all of a sudden while getting into my car, I started
having chills, convulsions and I could not move my mouth. My daughter
took my temperature and it was 103.8. My uncle and my daughter dialed
911 and that day, my blood pressure dropped to a whopping 70/35 and my
fever was still at 103.8 for hours, even taking Acetaminophen. From
Tuesday to Thursday, I stayed in the ICU. They said too dehydrated to
get a regular room. That Thursday, I received my regular room and
stayed there from that day until Sunday, when I was released from the
hospital. During that time, they did a lot of tests, CT scans, neck
scans, whatever you could think of, I went through.
That Saturday night, the attending physician left for that day
and he had his partner to take over. The odd part to this scenario was
when his partner came in, he told me he was an infectious disease
physician and he said that when I was to be discharged from the
hospital, I would need IV antibiotic therapy until I came to see him.
He said that would be ordered when I went home.
That Sunday came
around and the attending physician from the day before told me that he
did not know where this infection came from, but it seemed like it
stemmed from sinus. All of my life, I have never had those symptoms to
occur with a sinus infection. Maybe with the influenza, but not with a
sinus infection. My daughter came into the hospital every night to see
me and when she seen the doctor or the nurses, she told them I was
taking Septra a week prior and these symptoms started. Not once did
they look into that.
On that first emergency room visit, the doctors
kept asking me was I ever out of the country, and we both, my daughter
and I, said that we were never out of the country, and never have been
our whole lives. I know a good three times they asked me that night.
But back to the Tuesday-Sunday hospital event, the doctors told me
that they could not find anything wrong with me and told me to take
some very strong antibiotics, see your doctor and an infectious doctor
within a few days. I have never came out of a hospital not knowing
what was wrong with me.
As the days continued, I started having pain
in my legs and joints. My right side I could not feel and it is still numb to this day.
Now, I have sores on my rectum, my blood sugar level is out of whack.
I am talking 520s. Since my blood sugar levels are off, I have
dizziness, memory loss, coughing, and this is all still stemming from
that third day after I took Septra. I am still going to my primary
care physician, but I am still not getting any answers and they are
calling me like every other day checking on my health. And this is
abnormal for them because they do not do that.
I am still mentioning
about the Septra, but they are brushing it away, like I was never on
it. I need help! I do not know where to get the answers from.
Sincerely,
Doris E
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