Bactrim, Septra (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) Reviews

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Prescription summary (269 votes)

How well it works

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4.0/5
Agreeability

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3.8/5
Affordability

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4.6/5

Additional ratings

Consistency

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3.6/5 (136 votes)
Packaging

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3.9/5 (121 votes)
Fragrance

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3.4/5 (112 votes)

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mslady, atlanta
Jul 8th, 2009
How well it works
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Agreeability
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Affordability
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Pros:This product really worked wonders for my face. I had absolutely no break outs while on the medication.
Cons:allergic reaction to it.
Bottom Line:Do not take this medication!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was taking this medication for three weeks. On the third week, my entire body broke out with an itchy rash of hives, even the bottom of my feet. I developed vagina itching along with rectum itching. This is no ordinary rash. This type of rash feels like someone is constantly stabbing you with knives and the rash retains heat. Could you imagine your entire body itching at the same time and it last of days? I couldn't even sleep because of the rash.
Recommended:No
Usage:mslady has used this item for a few weeks.
Price Paid:10.00
Acne severity:moderately severe
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Abby, IA
Jul 1st, 2009
How well it works
:):):)
Agreeability
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Affordability
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Pros:iv had acne since i was 13 i am now 15 and its even worse iv been on bachtrim for about a month and its clearing up my slight acne prob. on my face but barley working on my severe back acne which is why i started it...it just takes a little more time
Cons:the pills are HUGE...and you have to drink lots and lots of water
Bottom Line:it works well for face ...but may take a little more than a month to clear up back/ shoulder acne.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Abby has used this item for about a month.
Price Paid:6.00
Acne severity:severe
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Jovie, Charlotte, NC
Jul 1st, 2009
How well it works
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Agreeability
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Affordability
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Pros:Softer skin, no side effects, cleared me up within 8 weeks - ONLY THING THAT WORKED FOR ME. DR. said I can be on it til I die.
Cons:The pill is a bit big - that's all
Bottom Line:I have had acne since age 11. I am 22 and was done with topicals - this is the best thing that has ever happened to my skin
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Jovie has used this item for about a year.
Price Paid:10.00
Acne severity:moderately severe
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ilana, FL
Jun 24th, 2009
How well it works
:):):):)
Agreeability
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Affordability
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Pros:no more red bumps, blackheads, or cysts! didn't get an allergic reaction
Cons:lots of shadows left over on face, no more acne but still not clear. took about a month to show significant improvement. HUGE pill
Bottom Line:worked much better than mino or tetracycline! definitely recommended but no results right away. everything stayed the same until about a month and then i saw major improvement. still TONS of shadows but at least no more acne!
Recommended:Yes
Usage:ilana has used this item for about a month.
Price Paid:20.00
Acne severity:moderately severe
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1 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Robbie, Texas
Jun 22nd, 2009
How well it works
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Agreeability
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Affordability
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Pros:Seems to work very QUICKLY on moderate-severe cystic (in my case) acne.
Cons:Derms don't like to prescribe it for extended periods of time because of the negative effects it can have on your body. That being said, I never experienced any side effects while on it.
Bottom Line:I've done it all - Minocycline, Doxycycline, Tetracycline, Bactrim, Accutane (3 rounds), Prednisone, Yaz, and am currently taking Spironolactone. After each round of Accutane, my skin would be completely clear for 6-10 months, but eventually, my cystic acne would come back. *Cue any and all other antibiotics.* However, none of the 'cyclines' worked as well as Bactrim did for me. After 2-3 months, my skin looked amazing, but my derm wouldn't refill it-claiming it could have bad side effects on my kidneys/liver (can't remember which). So, I let a few months pass, some of which I barely left my house because my skin was so bad. Finally saw a new derm...now giving Spironolactone a try.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Robbie has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:10.00
Acne severity:moderately severe
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Anonymous, nevada
Jun 18th, 2009
How well it works
:):):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
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Pros:Cleared up my face
Cons:big pill
Bottom Line:Took it for a year straight, cleared up my skin completely, now when I stopped for 4 months, I have a terrible breakout. I get horrible scars and its really discouraging after experiencing clear skin. I started Bactrim again now, but am wondering what effects on my body to take such a strong Abx so long. Im already resistant to Doxy, Mino. So I found something that works, now what... im in my early 30s.....
I recommend for anyone who has not had luck with other Abx
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Reviewer has used this item for about a year.
Price Paid:4.00
Acne severity:moderate
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0 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
B, Australia
Jun 17th, 2009
How well it works
:):)
Agreeability
:):):)
Affordability
:):):):)
Pros:Works slightly with high dosage, no bad side effects
Cons:Does not work on chest, shoulder or back acne.
Bottom Line:Have used this for nearly 6 weeks now with little improvement and have even increased my dosage to taking 6 double strength pills per day. Anybody who is taking this for body acne is definitely better off skipping this and going straight to Accutane.
Recommended:No
Usage:B has used this item for about a month.
Acne severity:moderately severe
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JB, Aust
Jun 15th, 2009
How well it works
:):):)
Agreeability
:):):)
Affordability
:):):)
Pros:Eventually works with a high dosage.
Cons:Takes a while to work. Doesn't cure acne, just controlls it.
Bottom Line:It made acne significantly worse for the first month of taking it. Increased dosage to 6 double strength pills a day and the acne has finally begun to calm down on chest and face.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:JB has used this item for about a month.
Acne severity:severe
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nikkia, CA
Jun 5th, 2009
How well it works
:):):)
Agreeability
:):):):):)
Affordability
:):):):):)
Pros:No bad side effects for me.
Cons:It was like taking a sugar pill. No effect on my acne.
Bottom Line:For some people it seemed this worked great. My acne may have been too severe for Bactrim to work. I'm currently taking 60 mg accutane, let's hope that does the job!
Recommended:Yes
Usage:nikkia has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:10.00
Acne severity:moderately severe
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2 of 2 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Teresa, Dallas, TX
Jun 1st, 2009
How well it works
:):):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
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Pros:Worked to clear cystic acne when topical agents were ineffective for me (40 year old female ). Highly recommend Bactrim for moderate to severe acne.
Cons:Must drink 8-10 glasses of water a day in addition to taking 1-2 pills per day. Long term use of antibiotic requires doctor supervision and blood testing for toxicity/depletion of red and white blood cells.
Bottom Line:The antibiotic contains Sulfamethoxazole, so should not be used by individual's with sulfa allergies. This ingredient in Bactrim requires water consumption water to prevent kidney stones. (REALLY IMPORTANT to drink 8 ounces of water with the pill and do not take diuretics with antibiotic). The antibiotic also uses Trimethoprim which may cause anemia from a deficiency of folic acid.

Bottom line is Bactrim can be very effective, but with the potential side effects (especially the disruption of folic acid metabolism) it should be the option after other non-prescription solutions have been ruled out.
Recommended:Yes
Price Paid:4.00
Acne severity:moderately severe
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