Bactrim/Septra : (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) Oral Antibiotic

I've had acne since for 20 years. I've been on every prescription and drug store product I could find. Even tried the acne.org regimen. Nothing cleared up my skin completely except for Accutane which I was on when I was 17 yrs old. About 6 months ago my skin started breaking out like crazy with cysts and white heads. I didn't even want to leave the house. I went to a new dermatologist and he gave me two options, Bactrim or Accutane. Due to bouts of depression I wasn't a good candidate for Accutane anymore so I had to settle for the Bactrim, not expecting much. I even considered buying Accutane online, even though that is very dangerous. I'm soooo glad I did. This stuff has really worked well for me and I'm glad I gave it a chance. Plus, it's so cheap. $2.50 with my insurance which isn't that great. No negative side effects either.

For a year I was absolutely miserable with my cystic acne; it was painful and unsightly, as I'm sure many of you know already. I went to my dermatologist and he said Bactrim was the last thing we would try before I would need to start Accutane. Hearing him say that was devastating, so I hoped Bactrim would work. I started in May of 2010. Summer was a little tough for me, the acne got worse at first and I was so unhappy. However, by the end of July and beginning of August, my skin was beginning to clear. I no longer had cysts, I had baby whiteheads if anything. By the beginning of school, my skin was clear and I have had clear skin ever since. I receive tons of compliments on my skin and the other day when I wasnt wearing makeup, my friend asked me if I was wearing foundation because my skin looked so good. Listen to me, I've tried everything. Bactrim was the best decision of my life.

It's worth the side effects of dryness and peeling it is much better than having acne all over your face by far!

I took this for maybe 15-18 months a while back, cleared up my mild cystic acne completely. Ever since I stopped about a year ago nothing has been as effective and I now feel I have to go back on it to avoid accutane. Ultimately where other antibiotics fail this will generally succeed and you won't need accutane.

I have been using Bactrim in conjunction with Diane 35 for a few months now after developing cysts on my cheeks. Nowadays my skin is 100% clear. I have never had skin this good.

I was originally on Minocycline pills. I couldn't swallow them, so my dermatologist suggested this. (liquid form) I was reading other reviews that said "skin cleared in 24 hours!" which I didn't believe. however, I woke up in the morning with noticable improvement in my skin! I didn't have ANY new breakouts, and my old ones were drying up! I was shocked! I've been on it for aboutttt.....I'd say 5 days. my skin is almost 100% clear! I've never been happier! I had moderate acne to begin with. I now say I fall under the "very light" section! I am not wearing foundation anymore, just concealer over redness and maybe a light powder. it's the best feeling ever when somebody compliments on your skin! I really recommend you try this!

I have used Accutane, Erythromyacin(sp?) and Bactrim for moderately severe acne for more than 20 years. The Accutane worked for only a few years, the Erythro worked but was too expensive, and the Bactrim upsets my stomach unless taken with food, but is the least expensive. I am going to give ProActiv a try. I don't want to keep abusing my body with an antibiotic, but I don't want the pain and hassle of the cysts either. I would suggest Bactrim for short-term use, but not as long term fix. Look for progressive dermatologist to prescribe healthy skincare regimen/diet to control the acne.

I really give it a 4.5/5, but that wasn't an option. I have taken Bactrim before years ago and it did work, but because of my fear of needles I quit after the first blood drawing for lab testing. I'll start by saying I rated my acne before starting Bactim as maybe a 6/10 on my face, and 7/10 on my back, this is me already on the regimen for several years. I started taking Bactrim again about 2 months ago and within 3 weeks 80% of my facial acne had cleared, along with 60% of my back acne (which was more of a reason I started taking it again). Now 2 months in I would say my face is 95% cleared up with maybe a single pimple every week or two popping up, but they only last a short time compared to before. The body acne has reduced further to maybe 80% clear, with only a few really deep and hard to treat cystic bumps remaining. The new bumps on my back that do appear, which is rarely, go away within a week or two compared to maybe months before, and they are less severe. The only thing I really have left now is to worry about how to clear up scars and reduce redness left behind with the scars. My face is still prone to look red and bumpy when I sweat, but they are just scars or damage left behind from years of acne. Same goes for my back, lots of large cystic bumps have left some pretty deep and red looking spots. I think time will heal these. It also doesn't help that I'm pretty pale and need to get out in the sun more. Night shift work doesn't help that. So Bactrim for me worked very well where topical treatments failed me for years. I do still use the benzoyl peroxide and moisturizer regimen, but it never had complete success, it only lessened the severity. the two working together however seems to be very effective. Considering the cost and very minimal side effects, I would highly recommend seeing a dermatologist and seeing what they say about this antibiotic for your acne.

try it! It works really fast.. its been less than a week and im amazed at the way its drying everything up.

i don't get it with this antibiotic. i was taking monocycline for 2 months and was about 85% clear, but this drug is only making me 50% clear, if even that. I never had a rash or reaction to this drug nor did i ever really get better. First few weeks of this drug were fine i guess, not really any new pimples, but it never got better; it's been getting worse. Now i have to result to accutaine or back to monocycline to not be embarrassed to go in public. I wish this drug worked for me like it did for other people, but it's a serious let down. It's not even perticularly meant for acne, some urinary sh*t; very sad going to Coachella with a volcano face