Can Bactrim make RLS worse

[BAB97TIE]

I have started taking Bactrim for a UTI and I am having a terrible time sleeping due to RLS

Is Bactrim a medication that can cause worsening of RLS?

[SueJohnson]

It's an antibiotic and should be OK.

[Madlegs1]

Bactrim does seem to cause a lot of side effects-- such as itching, swelling, insomnia, flushing and so on.

So, it seems to be doing the same for you.

Could you return to the surgery and ask for a different antibiotic?

[BAB97TIE in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks. I will try to get a new antibiotic. My sleep symptoms are awful.

[DicCarlson in reply to BAB97TIE]

I would stay away from fluroquinolone antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin, and others). The last I knew the FDA has issued a black box warning for use only when there is no additional alternative. NOT for uncomplicated UTIs, Adverse side effects can include tendon ruptures and digestive issues. For UTIs there are plenty of natural treatments...

drbrighten.com/natural-reme...

[BAB97TIE in reply to DicCarlson]

Thanks for your reply

This UTI is beyond uncomplicated. I have had it for 9 months. I wish I didn’t have to take antibiotics but I don’t seem to have a choice

[CsiguZ]

There are some studies by dr. Leonard B. Weinstock, that a bacterial imbalance in the gut called SIBO can be a reason of the RLS. If you take an antibiotic, it is efective not just for UTI, but it kills bacteria everywhere in your body, including your gut. Often when you start taking an antibiotic, in the first few days the symptoms caused by the bacterial infection are getting worse, because of the bacterial die off. So theoretically this means while you are taking the antibiotics in few days your RLS symptoms may get better than usual and if so the root cause of your RLS might be a bacterial issue.