Bactrim (antibiotic)

njlurker1 · November 2013

Anyone have any experience with giving LO this antibiotic? Quick history. My son was diagnosed with double ear infections and just finished taking amoxicillin for 10 days, no problem. Shortly before he finished that antibiotic, he developed a fever of 103 for 2 days. Back to doctor. Still a slight ear infection, though doc says too mild to be causing that high of a fever. He suspects a UTI and prescribes Bactrim (pediatric), 6 ml. twice per day for 10 days. In the meantime we sent a urine sample to the lab for confirmation/rule out.

First dose of Bactrim administered Mon. evening. Tues. evening LO comes home from daycare with hives all over his torso. We bathe and lotion with Aquaphor and decide to see what morning brings. He wakes up with hives, same or possibly worse. Besides the hives and the fact that he hates taking it, he seems fine. So I put a call into his doctor, who calls me back and says keep giving it to him and give him Benadryl every 4 hours. and give it 2-3 days to clear up, if not, call back.

I'm kind of shocked by this recommendation. I discussed it with my husband and he feels the same. Benadryl every 4 hours will turn my kid into a zombie and this seems like a lot of drugs. So I google the side effects and hives is a common side effect, listed as severe but most recommendations are to discontinue taking it, unless your fighting MRSA or something crazy like that.

I'm thinking about calling the doctor back and telling him I'm not comfortable with this drug and see if he can prescribe an alternative. Am I being crazy? I mean, he's the doctor (what do I know?) and I've trusted him thus far. So does anyone have any experience? Any nurses or anyone in the medical field that can shed some light? Sorry for the long post.

Meg22K · November 2013

Bactrim, which is a sulfa med, is one of the most common antibiotics to develop a reaction to and it can be pretty severe. There are lots of alternatives that would cover a UTI - cefdinir, augmentin, keflex... And a UTI in young boys is rare, but not impossible. I would not feel comfortable (as a mom or a health care provider) continuing that medication.

Meg22K · November 2013

Forgot to add I am a physician assistant x 8 years and work in Urgent Care.

njlurker1 · November 2013

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You ladies convinced me to grow a set and call the doctor back, which I did. I told the receptionist I wasn't comfortable continuing to give that antibiotic and asked if there was an alternative he could prescribe. She is going to pass the message on to the doctor and either he will call me back or they will call in a new script.

MamaP19 · November 2013

I've had issues with UTIs since I was little and Bactrim is the first thing they would always prescribe but I have a terrible reaction to it. I'm also allergic to two other medications that they treat UTIs with - there's only one I can actually take, macrobid, without getting hives, swelling, etc. Hoping your LO is better soon and can get a different medication.

njlurker1 · November 2013

@andreab7412 good point, I hadn't thought of that. He did finish the 10 days of amoxicillin a couple days before we took the urine sample but not sure how many days and if it would interfere with the results.

Well I still don't have the results of the culture and hives are still full blown. Been giving him Benadryl and just started a new antibiotic. Today at daycare he had a low fever. (Sigh) just wish he would feel better, poor guy.

sarahandeddiejune212008 · November 2013

My sister is highly allergic to bactrim. She gets sores on her tongue and inside her mouth. I would discontinue. There are other options that have different ingredients.

Want a personalized experience?

Bactrim (antibiotic)

Re: Bactrim (antibiotic)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards