Topic: Could Bactrim give "asparagus" smelly urine? (because of sulfa)
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Hi all.
Okay, sorry for the strange topic, but the past few days, my urine has been smelling really potent, and for some reason it's setting off red flags in my head like something could be wrong.
You know how after you eat asparagus, your urine has that very potent, distinctive smell? That is what it smells like...if not exact, then pretty close.
I remember once my chiropractor mentioned some kind of connection to me, about the urine smell after eating asparagus, being connected to sulfa somehow.
And I've been on Bactrim about a month now. And it contains sulfa.
Could that be why my urine is smelling like I ate asparagus, despite not eating anything even remotely similar to asparagus?
Do I need to go on some kind of sulfer detoxification protocol?
Or is it that asparagus pulls excess sulfa out of the body, so I should actually start eating it now more than ever?
Confused....would like if anyone can enlighten me. It is so sudden and strange that I'm thinking of calling my LLMD.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Okay, so I just googled it, and it is in fact sulfer that give the "asparagus urine" smell (and only 50% of people get it, for those confused as to what I'm talking about).
Has anyone gotten this from Bactrim (not asparagus! haha)? Should I stop the Bactrim?
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Another update: This is from Wikipedia:
"Thus, it is now believed that most people produce the odorous compounds after eating asparagus, but only about 22% of the population have the autosomal genes required to smell them.[30][31][32]"
So my guess is that if some (or even most) of us are producing strange sulfur-smelling urine while using Bactrim, that only 22% of us would notice the smell anyways.
But my main concern is is this a sign I am taking too much Bactrim? Or is it just a harmless consequence?
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Can't answer your Q Hoosiers, but our family calls asparagus 'stinky pee'. Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
Asparagus is known to cause smelly urine regardless of taking something like Bactrim. When I ate asparagus when I was younger, no probelm. Then I noticed five years ago after eating some asparagus that my urine smelled very pungent. Searching around for answers, it appears to be common for asparagus to do this.
Maybe the Bactrim has added to the experience, but I don't think it's any cause for alarm as long as you are drinking fluids.
Posts: 194 | From Colorado | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
I would think you smell it because your kidneys are functioning and detoxing. I'ver had some strange odors like tar or burned rubber (just slight) and think it's my body detoxing ----something?
Posts: 383 | From Ar | Registered: May 2007
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Just to clarify, I was NOT eating asparagus!
And the smell is very distinctive and strong, so that is why it's strange and merits a post.
So I'm thinking it's the Bactrim, and wondering what you guys think?
I wouldn't post to tell you guys I ate asparagus and my pee smells. Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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AliG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9734
posted
I don't think it's a problem, just a by-product of the sulfur compounds.
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Okay, thanks! I'll still ask my doc next time I talk to him just in case.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
Wouldn't it be listed in the warnings for Bactrim if your urine smells like asparagus call your doctor?
Posts: 33 | From USA | Registered: Dec 2008
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