Bactrim Septra Cotrim Septrin TMP/SMX side effects reports
Page 9 of mail to investigative reporter Brian Deer recounting sometimes serious side effects of the antibiotic often known as Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim or TMP/SMZ
SULFAMETHOXAZOLE/TMP: 20 May
I took this medication about 1 month ago for sinus & lung infection, I broke out in hives about the 4th day, i took it for 3 more days and was o.k…..then i took 3 doses a month later and broke out in hives( under arms, behind knees, groin are, betwwen thighs) again , each occurring everynight, through out the night and into the morning, i have quit it now for 5 days and I am still breaking out on and off every day, it gets worse everytime, i can get no good response from the doc or the pharmicist, , they just say it is an allergic reaction…well if you can help, please let me know
Roxanne B.
BACTRIM: 23 May
Dear Mr. Deer:
I was prescribed generic Macrobid for a urinary tract infection but felt it was making me groggy so I phoned my doctor for a substitute. I was prescribed generic Bactrim and am not doing well with it. The morning of the third dose, I went out to a local farmer’s market where I nearly fainted. Once safely home, I felt queasy and had blurred vision and weakness (though not severe) in my legs. I also became achy in my shoulders and had slightly slurred speech.
Since I wasn’t absolutely sure it was the medicine and not just the UTI making me sick, I went ahead and took doses four at night. In the morning, I felt mostly normal (probably because the dose had worn off) and took dose number five. Within a short period of time my legs were weak again, my eyelids heavy with some vision disturbances, I threw up, and (after reading your site) realized that my mouth was being affected as well. I won’t be taking the drug again.
Barbara S, Baltimore, MD
SMZ/TMP DS: 26 May
I was prescribed SMZ/TMP DS 800-160 bec. of a possible urine infection.
I started the pills on a last Wednesday 5-19-04. By the 23rd. I was having Fever, Chills and Nausea. I was affraid because I thought I was having another Bowel Injury and was going to wind-up back on the bag! (That’s another story). I call my Dr. on the 23rd, the person who answered the phone informed me very clearly that there is NO medication that causes Fever.. (I can’t wait to tell her off!) On the 25th, the I began itching and it just got worse and worse then I noticed that I was broken out in little bumps. I call poision control she knew of the drug I told her I also had a sore throat joint/neck pain and a little heaviness in the chest area.
Tommorrow I’m going to the emergancy room and give them your web address so they will know that this is NOT in my head and I’m going to tell them to give me a full blood count. It’s 4:46 a.m…. I’m itching badly and will not be able to sleep so I decided to write in about my Sulfamethoxazole Story.
My mother kept telling me that it had to be the prescription, but with the nurse saying it wasn’t AND the bottle saying to finish ALL MEDICATIONS. (We know what happens when one does not finish an antibotic Med.)
I continue to take the pill up until about 6 p.m. on the 25th.
Now I know that this Drug is Very Dangerous.
T.Girl
BACTRIM: 27 May
I have developed severe bleeding from the uterus after taking bactrim for 7 days for a supposed UTI. The bleeding is post-menopausal, so it can be serious. Thankfully, it has subsided after several hours, and I am visiting my doctor in the a.m. Hopefully, she will agree that is a side effect of bactrim. It also caused me a mild nosebleed.
Let’s all keep each other informed of this dangerous drug.
Betty S.
NOVO-TRIMEL: 29 May
I found your site while researching Novo-Trimel a.k.a.Septra a.k.a. Bactrim.
I started the med on a Thursday night for a UTI. Within an hour, my abdomen and stomach bloated but that went down by the next morning. I took another pill on Fri. morning (2/day) and went to work where my abdominal area became even more distended, painful and full of gas.
I did take one more pill Friday night and once again, the whole mess continued. I woke up on Sat. morning still distnded and a feeling of being “bruised” inside my abdomen. I decided then and there to stop the med and to look into something else on Monday.
I would like to know if you have heard of this type of reaction at all. I checked over almost all of the e-mails but apart from abdominal pain, I didn’t see anyone mention bloating and distension.
Thank you very much,
Barbara
SEPTRA: 30 May
My 6 yo has just finished up a septra prescription for a UTI…I think the exposure to the sun at school on Friday gave her this itchy rash she has had for approx. 24 hrs now. Am giving her benedryl and using calamine lotion….I am wondering how long it takes for this rash/itchy thing to go away.
SEPTRIN: 1 June
Dear Mr Deer,
Thanks for providing an informative website.
I was prescribed Septrin for six years and although I experienced a series of side effects including severe pain and bleeding from the kidneys which required several trips to A&E, my doctor remained adamant that Septrin was an extremely safe drug and insisted that I kept on taking it. I could not understand his attitude as he was not even prepared to contemplate or investigate the fact that Septrin could have any side effects. When I stopped taking it most of the side effects stopped nearly immediately.
Last week I found out that over 4000 doctors are under investigation in Italy for accepting expensive gifts, holidays and/or equipment in exchange for prescribing Glaxo products to their patients. The same thing happened in Germany in 2002. Is this the reason why my doctor was so keen that I took my Septrin? Is this the reason why my doctor had a flashier computer system almost every other year (in a trust that is supposed to be strapped for cash) for instance? I do not want to appear paranoid but I cannot honestly think of any other logical explanation.
Dave M
BACTRIM: 9 June
Dear Mr Deer,
I came across your site by accident while looking for information on Bactrim. I don’t want to question your research in any way – it is quite obvious that Bactrim and its equivalents have had adverse effects in some cases. It should perhaps be pointed out though that there are quite a few other antibiotics which also have bad effects on some people. In my own case I was on a Cipro antibiotic for two months for an infection of the urinary tract, which eventually seemed to provoke a severe bout of diarrhea. I was then switched to Bactrim (this was in Portugal, not the UK) and have been taking it with good results for the past three months while awaiting an operation to deal with the cause of the infection. That doesn’t invalidate other experiences of course, and it may well be that Trimethoprim on its own would have been equally effective. Certainly Trimethoprim seems preferable in treatment of cystitis.
David S.
SMZ-TMP: 15 June
Brian
Our 4 and a half year old Rottweiler was diagnosed with a UTI on May 18, 2004 and her vet prescribed SMZ-TMP. On May 28, 2004 (a week and a half of taking 2 pills twice a day) we rushed her to the vet as her right eye was entirely red and the size of a baseball. The vet she saw (not her regular vet) insisted it couldn’t have been a reaction to the SMZ-TMP and that she needed to see an opthamologist as a blood vessel in her eye had hemmoraged. The next day she developed thick mucous across each eye and we called the vet back again demanding to know how this could NOT be a drug reaction, when the label makes reference to eye related symptoms. He admitted it has been known to cause eye irritations in dogs, and she should immediately stop using the medication. We still took her to an opthamologist at Univ Penn although her eye appeared to clear up after a few days. Unfortunately, the worst of our troubles had just begun. The vet at Univ Penn discovered she had a dangerously low platelet count and needed additional testing. Her ultrasound showed an enlarged spleen and an unhealthy looking liver and kidney and additional blood tests showed critically low platelet counts, or red blood cell counts.. or both over the course of a few more days. It was determined that Cleo had hydrolytic anemia due to an auto-immune response and needed steroid treatment to reverse this. The vets all believed it was caused due to an allergy to this SMZ-TMP. We also were told that Rottweilers and Dobermann’s are especially sensitive to this drug. Sadly to say, the steroid treatment did nothing to help her and she died of internal bleeding she suffered as a result of the anemia…just three short weeks after her inital diagnosis of the UTI. It was very painful to see such a young, strong, active pal deteriorate so severely as quickly as she did. It seems there should be a way of testing an animal, or a person for that matter, for sulpha-allergies before prescribing this drug. I’m quite scared that myself or a family member might be prescribed this!
Thank you for your time and research on this matter.
Lori D.
SMZ/TMP: 16 June
Brian,
I was prescribed a Bactrim Generic (SMZ/TMP Double-STR TAB MPC) to treat a throat infection. Immediately I felt relief from my infection the next day. Four days into my taking the generic, I noticed a sense of lightheadedness and as the day progressed I could felt a little anxious. When I went to bed I had the most horrible, vivid night mares which I had trouble awaking from. I woke feeling hot and sweaty and my skin kinda tingling and a little itchy feeling.
This morning I took my usual dose but called my doctor to inform him of my side effects I seem to be having.
Right now I feel very anxious and panicky, my mouth is dry, skin is still tingling…and just don’t feel myself.
Having stopped taking the generic….how long does it take for the drug to get out of your system and start feeling some relief from the side effects? I have read through the letters but haven’t really read any that touched on this.
Andy S.
SEPTRA: 22 June
I too had a bad reaction to Septra. Gallbladder on verge of bursting from irritation (went into emergency surgery) and I had flu like symptoms (fever and vomiting).
Lisa
SULFONAMIDE: 26 June
hey
i was trying to figure out what to do, i had a severe allergic reaction to sulphate, i only took 3 total (for an infection) and since then i have been vomiting, fever , rashes, fatigue,weakness,chest pain, short breath, sore throat, i called my doctor and she said if the vomiting come back to go to the ER, its been 3 days and alot of these symptoms are presisting (i know my doctor isnt very good and i NO money for an emergency room visit and no insurance)
theres nothing on your site that tell me what i need to know. are these symptoms going to last for weeks , how many days before it wares off? or do i need to take something else to counter-react it?
thanks in advance
Ryan
SULFATRIM: 28 June
Brian,
I was prescribed Sulfatrim several weeks ago for a urinary tract infection. The doctor gave me enough medication for five days telling me to take it twice a day, and further said that I was only to take it for as long as it took to feel better; that I needn’t finish the medication. I took it for two days because after that long I had developed a bad headache but even more disturbing was the severe pain in my legs that kept me from both staying still and from moving too much. I had lost my appetite, and when I began to develope a rash I decided that the drugs were too strong for me. Thanks to your website I know that it’s not just me.
Shari C.
SEPTRIN: 30 June
Dear Brian,
I have just for the first time discovered your website in regards to the drug Septrin. I was first administered this drug in 2003 as an antibiotic to treat cough thus so great reaction resulting to skin rashes, black spot all over my body, itching and general discomfort.
January 2004, mistakenly doctor in a different hospital admistered this drug for me. It was just 2 tablets I took but then it was hell. The discomfort of that night is enough to kill. While worring on the black spot the drugs left on my body. Doctor now strongly advised that I should not be taking sulphonamide drugs, giving series of drugs that contain sulphur, I just decide to check the internet to know more about the effect of this drug and I got your site.
I will appreciate whatever information you are passing around on this. I will not mind to be part of the team that will share their experience as relate to this drug. Actually I am indicating my interest in joining the Septrin Action group with the stated objectives.
I am going to contine reading up on your findings as I feel I am old enough to understand, also it has been a taboo subject in my family for years.
Just knowing other people have been in my situation gives me comfort.
Please continue the good work, if I can assist in your findings in anyway please contact me.
Regards
Seyi O.
BACTRIM: 3 July
Hello MR Brian Deer:
I am very shocked about all the research and side effects regarded Bactrim. However I can deduce that most of the times the problem is due to an allergic condition.
My case is pathetic. I have been suffering from a disease in my skin for ten years, nobody could ever help me, not even the more recognized physicians, but once, I met a doc that prescribed me Bactrim F. It was a miracle for me, my problem was solved but… if I stop the drug for a long time the problem returns. I’m very afraid for all the side effects I could suffer but there is no other help I can receive. Once a dermatological doctor suggested a drug called Racutan (Accutane) but side effects are worst besides is prohibitly expensive. Now a days I continue consuming this drug, without any prescription. My health is in risk, I know that now, but I have been suffering for ten years and I prefer not having the disease, ten years from physicians to physicians even alternative medicine but nothing, just the Bactrim helps. What an irony.
I have dental problems as I never had, maybe this is one of the side effects, but who knows.
Best regards,
Rod.
SMZ/TMP: 5 July
Brian,
Thank you so much for your website. I had had slight prostate pain and slight shortness of breath so I went to see the doc. He diagnosed a slight prostate infection and slight lung infection due to exhaustion. He prescribed one heavy duty and EXPENSIVE antibiotic. When I found out how much it was going to cost, I asked the doc for free samples or some cheaper alternative. So he prescribed SMZ/TMP DS Tab (Generic for Bactrim) twice daily along with Doxycycline 100mg Tab twice daily. Two hours after taking the first dose I felt a burning/boiling in my head but discounted it as the battle going on inside of me. The next day a awoke with pressure and burning to the back of my skull and neck. Almost a tightness though I had full range of motion. For the next 9 days I experienced dizziness, tingling in my right arm, weakness to my extremities and a surreal burning nerve stiffness/pressure to the back of my skull and sides of my head. I also felt a mental cloud feeling which made me feel like I was losing my mind and barely able to be in social situations. I saw another doc who said I was having panic attacks and not to worry about it. I finally saw my GP on the 10th day and he said he didn t know what was going on and told me to go ahead and stop the antibiotics. I immediately felt a majority of the dizziness/cloudiness go away after stopping the Bactrim and Doxycycline. However, now three weeks later- I have continued to have a stiff burning neck and nerve burning to neck and sides of head. I am also experiencing tingling to my right arm and leg and very light tingling to other extremities. I also have just experienced the worlds worst back spasm which has me down in agony for the last 2 days. After reading the many accounts on your site, I am convinced that it is too much a coincidence that these symptoms began the day I began the antibiotics. Is there any hope these symptoms will go away? Please help. Thanks so much for your help. My wife and children also thank you.
Josh, CA
SMZ/TMP: 7 July
Hi Brian. This week I took the SMZ TMP DS TAB 2x a day for 3 days for a UTI. I had loss of appetite, nausea, couldn’t get to sleep till late, Depressed, tingling hands, inability to focus, and burning sensations in my stomach. I am still taking Metronidazole, but my hands still tingle. Could the Metronidazole cause this tingling?
BACTRIM: 9 July
I began taking Bactrim 2 days ago for bladder infection. Since then, I have had extreme gastric pains shooting in my stomach and up toward my chest. This is scaring me since I have read all your articles. I am stopping it immediately. These gastric pains made me feel like I was having a heart attack, but I had just had a cardiolite stress test this week before the bladder infection began and everything was normal, so this leads me to believe it is the bactrim.
TRIMETH-SULFA (VETERINARY): 12 July
Hi Brian,
I have a Lab/Sheppard mix that is about 6 1/2 years old. She got what the vet called a “hot spot” on the side of her face. They believe it was caused by a flea or tick along with her constant scratching down to the skin which caused an infection. The vet sent us home with a spray and the trimeth pills. The first day or two she did okay. Now she is vomitting and not really wanting to eat anything. We stopped giving her the trimeth this evening due to her not being able to take it and reading your articles on this site. I have seen a few people write in with side effects of nausia, etc… After a period of not taking the trimeth, my dog seems to be more like herself (i.e. alert, tale wags when we go to pet her, finally drinking some water). Could this trimeth be the cause of the sickness? It’s only been a few hours since she got sick and hopefully without the medicine this evening and tomorrow, she can hold down some food and stop getting sick. The vomit is very paste-like (viscous). Thank you for your help and time. This site is a huge help.
Scott C. Cincinnati, OH
RELATED:
Bactrim-Septra: a secret epidemic
Chronology of a newspaper campaign
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