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Nauseated whenever I take antibiotics!

I have been putting off asking this question because I thought I could figure this out but I need my FRIENDS to tell me if this is possible.

I have been fighting a urinary tract infection (is that abbreviated  "UTI") anyway, and I was given Sulfameth/TMP DS TAB for it. The 2nd day I took them I started throwing up. At the same time my BT meds had just been switched to 1/2 to 1 tablet of Percocet 10/325. I didn't know which med was making me sick. So I layed off of the antibiotic for 1 day and took the Percocet and DIDN'T get sick. Then I laid off of the Percocet and went back to my NORCO 10/325 (which I checked first with my PM Dr. to get his permission since I'd taken the Hydro since 2003 and KNEW i wouldn't get sick from it) and took the Sulfameth again and AGAIN got sick. So then I tried one more thing, the nest day I stayed off of ALL BT meds and took the Sulfameth and AGAIN got sick. Soooo I knew that I was allergic to the Sulfameth and can't take Sulpher (sp?) drugs at all.

I then got my Dr. (PCP) to give me a different med because NOW it has ballooned into not just a UTI but ALSO a full blown bladder infection. (NOT FUN!!!) He gave my an antibiotic which ONLY works on bladder infections called Nitrofur-macr 100 MG 2 X day for 10 days. Took it Monday and (you guessed it ) threw up AGAIN!!!. So I called my pharmacist to see if he had EVER had anyone that had a problem with combining the Fentanyl 50 mcg patch andPercocet BT meds with antibiotics specifically the Notrofur-macr. He sai he'd NEVER heard of a problem like that.

So I tried another experiment and once again took NO  BT meds yesterday and took the Notrofur-macr and I DIDN'T throw up. So I'm thinking that I HAVE A PROBLEM taking the antibiotics with the BT meds.

Therefore, I'm NOT taking my BT meds for 10 days so that I can clear up my infection because I can't afford to let my body get infected from this bladder infection. (An untreated bladder infection almost killed my mother, she landed in intensive care in isolation for 2 1/2 weeks about 38 years ago.) That's why I haven't been very active on here the past few days because of the intense nausea.

My question is whether this has happened to any of you before. Since my pharmacist has never heard of this before. (By the way it was NOT the pharmacist that was involved with the refill incident, she, unfortunately, wasn't on that day.)

Thanks for any input, I will really appreciate it. I don't know if it will affect EVERY antibiotic or just certain ones.

Thanks ahead of time guys for your input!!...Sherry
9 Responses
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547368 tn?1440541785
Bactrim is sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim,. It is in the same family of meds (sulfonamides) that you were first prescribed. It makes perfect sense that it is causing the same or similar side effects as the first medication.

Not all ATB's should be taken with food. fortunately it does not matter with Bactrim. It is important to drink a full glass of water with it, avoid sunlight and take it at the same time every day.

Be aware that mild diarrhea is common with any antibiotic as it also destroys the good bacteria in our intestines. If you develop more than mild diarrhea be sure to contact your PCP. Don't take anything to control the diarrhea unless your PCP advises you to do so.  

Nausea and vomiting (n/v) are common side effects of this medication. It does not mean that you are allergic to it. Be watchful for such things as hives, sore throat, trouble swallowing or breathing which could indicate an allergic response.

I have not heard of this medication having unpleasant interactions with narcotics. However remember our systems are all different. Some of the meds that it may not interact well with include, a few seizure medications, some oral diabetes control meds, tricyclic antidepressants and diuretics (water pills) such as hydrochlorothiazide.

I cannot take Sulfa either....and many other ATB. If the routine you are using is working to control your pain and still take the ATB as prescribed than continue. Inform your PCP or your pharmacist of how you are taking your meds. There are medications that will ease the n/v. You may want to request one from your PCP if this continues. There should be no reason that you have to be in extreme pain in order to take an ATB.

Additionally there are other meds that will treat a UTI that are not in the sulfa family.  You are correct that UTI stand for urinary tract infection which includes bladder or kidney infections.

I hope you will soon be feeling better.

Take Care,
~Tuck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It's actually quite common to get nausea and/or vomiting with antibiotics.  I was recently on a 28 day course of antibiotics for a very resistant strep throat, ear infection and pneumonia and I quite literally vomited each and every day I was on the antiobitic.  I know it was the antibotic causing the vomiting because amazingly, as soon as I was done with them, my vomiting and nausea disappeared!  I did discuss the nausea/vomiting with my doctor while I was on the antibiotics, but we both made the decision to continue them because they seemed to be helping with teh infection and since this was my 8th round of antibiotics (including being on 3 different ones IV in the hospital).  The vomiting was more of a nuisance than anything dangerous (in my case anyway) - it wasn't a lot and when my stomach was settled, I was able to eat and drink - although not quite at my "norm" - so I wasn't getting dehydrated.

My doctor did give me a prescription for phenergan to use while I was on the antibiotic to also help with the nausea and vomiting and it definitely did help.

I also recently discovered I cannot take the sulfa antibiotics - I've had them before, but the last time I took Bactrim (for an infection unrelated to the last illness), within 20 minutes of taking it, I broke out in hives and had difficulty breathing.  Needless to say, I will NEVER take a sulfa drug again!

The suggestion about taking some sort of stomach medication is a good one, but like Jaybay said, be sure to check with the pharmacist before doing that, not only to check for possible interactions, but also some antibiotics' potency are affected by antacids and stuff like that, so you want to make sure that you're not going to decrease the effectiveness of the antibiotic.

I would also suggest definitely taking the antiobtic after you've got something on your stomach - even if it's just a few crackers.

I would think the nausea is more related to the antibiotics rather than your pain meds, as you've been on the pain meds for a while and haven't had this problem with them before.  However, when your body is fighting an infection or virus, it can affect how your body reacts to medications, so there is always the possiblity that at least part of the nausea IS related to the pain meds.
Helpful - 0
82861 tn?1333453911
Sometimes taking something like pepcid, tagamet or even tums about 15 minutes before taking pain meds or antibiotics helps stop or at least tone down the nausea.  Check with the pharmacist first before doing that to make sure there are no contraindications.

Boy I HATE bactrim!  I had it once many, many years ago for a bladder infection but didn't have any trouble with it.  That was before a generic was available so maybe that's part of the trouble.  The active ingredients in generics are the same, but they often use different buffers and binders that cause odd reactions compared to the brand name med.

I'm so glad to hear you're at least keeping your pain in control now.  How miserable!
Helpful - 0
1187071 tn?1279369698
I am glad you listened to me and "so far it worked" wish my husband would listen to me but that is another story ;) just keep spreading them out so your not taking them together. I would hate to see you stop your pain meds and be in pain, you have to live too and you can't live if your in to much pain right??
Good luck and hope those infections go away, I know I was on a very strong antibiotic cause i have been on so many that my body wasn't getting better but even that one didn't help but man it did have bad side effects. I think my co payment for it was $50 and that is ALOT of money.
Jamie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks guys for answering.

Jamie: I just tried what you suggested and took my Percocet about 3 hours after the Antibiotic and it worked , so far!! :) Thanks

Londres: Wasn't looking forward to 10 days but if this doesn't work I guess I will have to. So far so good.

Jaybay: Guess what Sulfameth IS Bactrin. It's the generic. My PM told me that it is one of the STRONGEST antibiotics there is and causes a lot of upsets.

Thanks again, everybody we'll see how it works....Sherry
Helpful - 0
82861 tn?1333453911
I can't take sulfa meds either.  I had an abscess not long ago and my doc prescribed a strong sulfa-based antibiotic for it - bactrim.  I also use the fentanyl patch and norco for breatkthrough pain.  It took about 3 days for the vomiting to start in spite of using acidopholus along with the antibiotic and the anti-emetic med phenergan.  I tried to deal with it another couple of days but it only got worse so the doc changed the antibiotic med.  No further problems with the new one.

You really need to ask your doc to change the antibiotic.  It won't do you any good anyway if you can't keep it down.  I doubt its an interaction with your pain meds causing the problem.  You simply can't tolerate this antibiotic.  Also, since you've got a full-blown bladder infection, ask your doc for pyridiem (sp?).  Your urine will turn red/orange, but it really helps knock out the symptoms while the antibiotic does its thing.  No more urgency, painful urination and burning.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Whoa!!!!  Kinda confusing; had to read 3 times.  

First, are you taking the BT medication and ATB at the same time/together?  Are you taking your medications with PLENTY of water/food?  What day are you on for the ATB?

Secondly, wouldn't think the Fentanyl patch is causing this N/V.  

Thirdly, from reading your post, there would be NO way you could go 10 days without BT medication.
Helpful - 0
1187071 tn?1279369698
Sorry to hear your having trouble with your meds and all the pain. I have never heard of this too. If you can go that long without your pain meds then do it so you can take the other pill to clear up the UTI and bladder infection. Have you tried eating before taking them? I am sure you have but just asking. What happens when you take the meds at different times? Does it still make you sick? Not sure if spacing them out would help just trying to come up with ideas.
I have always been told to drink cranberry juice and alot of it when you have a UTI or kidney infection so try that if you haven't already plus they make cranberry pills that you can take. I hope it gets better cause I don't want you ending up in the hospital cause of this.
Good luck hun and let me know how your doing,
Jamie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I forgot to add, YES I am in SOOOO MUCH PAIN I could scream. So please throw out your ideas of what to do!!!...Sherry
Helpful - 0
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