I'm spreading the word. Bactrim, an often prescribed antibiotic, can have serious, life-threatening side effects. 

Last April, my dad had a common surgical procedure.  He picked up an infection but was well enough to discharged from the hospital. He was sent home with a prescription for Bactrim.

Later that day, he was back in the ER.  His blood pressure was dangerously low. He had a  high fever and was shaking.  Dad was admitted and for five days we weren't sure he would survive. 

Thankfully, for a man of 83, he's reasonably robust. He did recover enough to come home.  Full recovery took many weeks but finally, he felt well again.

At the time, family and physicians thought the bacterial infection was taking a severe toll.  Now I wonder if it wasn't the Bactrim.  Here's why:

Last weekend, Dad was given a prescription for Bactrim to treat an early stage UTI .  He did not have a fever or chills; no achy feeling and his blood pressure was normal. He was active and eating well that day, as he had been for many weeks.  Within a half hour of taking the first Bactrim pill, he spiked a fever; was convulsing and his blood pressure dropped dangerously low. 

While he was in the ER, I Googled side effects of Bactrim.  I found  a series of reports written by Brian Deer, an investigative reporter for the Sunday Times of London where the series was published.  The ER doctor was asked to consider a reaction to Bactrim as the reason for Dad's symptoms.  He was taken off Bactrim and - long story short - he went home the next day feeling tired but otherwise well.  The day after discharge, he was feeling well enough to begin painting bookcases he had built for me. 

I won't try to summarize Deer's reports on Bactrim.  His work should be read.  I will say that from my reading, it appears to be an example of profit before people.  Bactrim was the result of combining two different drugs without achieving an improved medication.  It did create a "new" drug for which a generic could not be substituted. 

I'm not suggesting that everyone refuse Bactrim if it is prescribed.  What I am suggesting is that if the person's condition gets worse or they experience new symptoms, ask the physician to consider side effects as a possible cause.  You may save a loved one a great deal of suffering or even their life. 

I am always happy to receive comments on a post.  I would especially appreicate reading other people's experiencing with Bactrim.