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Topic: Biaxin drug to drug interactions......Question
Lymetoo
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 743
posted
I found this in an old post here:
"I know it [biaxin] has severe interaction with Diflucan, xanax, valium and amantadine, and Lexapro and similiar SSRI's, just to name a few.
You can be having serious even toxic drug interactions with Biaxin or your SSRI's.." ================================
I'm taking Biaxin for a sinus infection and have been having heart symptoms. This is the second drug that has done that to me recently.
I really NEED to get rid of this infection and need the big guns. I took Biaxin for 1 1/2 yrs during lyme treatment....no problems that I remember.
So, my question is....Can you take Diflucan many hours away from the Biaxin....or NOT AT ALL?
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops! Lymetutu Have you read Three Cups of Tea? Posts: 45130 | From Texas TuTu | Registered: Feb 2001
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SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
If there is an interaction known, I would probably not take them even apart if the half-life of the drug means that it is still in your system. www.epocrates.com has a nice interaction checker btw.
-------------------- In Better Health, Scott (aka "The Better Health Guy") "Public Health Alert" Contributor
Note: Due to the number of attempts in replying to PMs and finding full mailboxes, please contact me by email if you have private correspondence. Thanks Posts: 4463 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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Lymetoo
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 743
posted
Thanks, Scott!
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops! Lymetutu Have you read Three Cups of Tea? Posts: 45130 | From Texas TuTu | Registered: Feb 2001
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5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
hi Lymetoo
sorry to hear about your heart palps. Could the Biaxin be hitting some left over babs? I had some more heart palps when I was herxing from my babs treatments.
Have you called your doc yet? I wouldn't mess around with heart palps, it can be very serious.
I am currently on diflucan again for yeast issues. I have noticed I have been sleeping really well after I take my sleep meds & wonder if the diflucan is upping the effects of them?
In my "pill Book" And it does mention an increase in the effects of the following: drugs for migranes-anti-anxiety drugs-sedative drugs-donepezil-erythromycin-clarithromycin-stain lowing drugs...There's alot more. I got my "Pill Book" at my local drug store & it's been really handy...
Diflucan is said to have a long half life & stay in your system a long time.
The only other thing I would mention & I am sure you probably know this already is be careful of your liver.
did you go to www.drugdigest.com ...type in your meds & see if any cross reactions?
Anyway I just wanted you to know I will keep you in my thoughts & prayers
healing hugs Dana
none of the above is medical advise...just my 2 cents
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4428 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
I really wish I could answer your question.
I am not so sure it is the diflucan and biaxin as it may be some other med you are on....
I researched it and didn't see diflucan as a potential interaction.
Cisapride, pimozide, terfenadine taken with biaxin can cause dangerous irregular heart beat.
See if this site helps.
drugs.com/biaxin.html
Hope you are feeling better soon.
Not sure what type of infection you have, but I have taken doxy for severe sinus infections.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 5957 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Good morning Miss Toots,
I did a quick search on DrugDigest.com, and did not see any interactions between the two meds.
I also checked my LLMDs drug notes, and did not see any cautions.
However, since you ARE having chest issues, I think you should certainly put a call into your doc to discuss this with him.
So sorry for the sinus infection...I know they can be miserable.
Lymetoo
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 743
posted
WEll, I guess I'd better call my dr. Dang it all!!
I'm having mild chest pains, but had severe symptoms* yesterday after I had taken my meds. My BP was 86/61 and pulse was 95 [and that's WITH atenolol, which lowers the heart rate].
*I felt like I was going to faint and had to lie down for awhile. I had a heaviness in my chest. Later I felt better and went on about my way.
Makes me mad too, because if this is a heart herx, I would want to continue!!
Geneal...My dr told me if the Biaxin didn't work he would put me on doxy. I said YUCK!
Thanks Dana for the link. I did check yesterday, but your link took me to a different page I hadn't seen before....so I checked the interactions too.
Geneal...I just checked that link and found a "major" interaction with Trazodone, and "minor" interaction with Prilosec and Ambien!!
Gads!! I've been taking all three for the entire week I've been on Biaxin. Glad to still be alive!
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops! Lymetutu Have you read Three Cups of Tea? Posts: 45130 | From Texas TuTu | Registered: Feb 2001
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Lymetoo
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 743
posted
PS....I found 1028 "major" interactions for Biaxin and 957 "minor" interactions!
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops! Lymetutu Have you read Three Cups of Tea? Posts: 45130 | From Texas TuTu | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
If Biaxin does have possible dangerous interactions with Diflucan, then taking them far apart on the same day would not eliminate potential problems, but I don't recall there being a problem between the two drugs.
I do remember that there was some question about using Ketek with Diflucan together though. But even that was controversial. As you know, Dr's opinions vary greatly.
Your reaction sounds to me like a herx Sx. I have had problems with heart palps and irregular beats shortly after starting Biaxin or Zith, and there is no question in my mind that it was because of the bacteria being targeted and killed.
I believe this to be true because the Sx"s went away over time as I continued the meds. Bart and Lyme are known for attacking the heart muscle and vavles, so it may be an indicator that you still have an infecton that has been growing.
I do believe that there were some potential problems between Biaxin and the SSRI's, but I don't remember if it was only a Pysch thing, or if it affected the heart in some way.
-------------------- You're only a failure when you stop trying. Posts: 853 | From U.S | Registered: Oct 2004
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Lymetoo
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 743
posted
Interactions between your selected drugs fluconazole and clarithromycin (Minor Drug-Drug)
Fluconazole may increase plasma concentrations of clarithromycin when coadministered. The mechanism of action is unknown. The clinical significance of the elevation appears to be minimal in healthy subjects. Observation for clarithromycin adverse effects is recommended if these drugs are given together.
=================
Thanks Micul....now I'm conflicted again!! I guess if I go on doxy and I have heart problems again, I'll know it's a herx.
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops! Lymetutu Have you read Three Cups of Tea? Posts: 45130 | From Texas TuTu | Registered: Feb 2001
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lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
5dana8 said:
quote:Could the Biaxin be hitting some left over babs
Just my 2 cents here, but it sounds like dysautonomia raring its ugly head. You might want to run it by your LLMD.
Also, pharmacists are the best sources of drug info, in my experience.
Good luck with this! I hope it's just a small blip for you.
SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
Here is what I found for Diflucan and Biaxin from Epocrates:
Biaxin <-> Diflucan avoid combo or use alternative: combo may incr. clarithromycin levels, risk of QT prolongation, cardiac arrhythmias (hepatic metab. inhibited; additive prolonged QT)
-------------------- In Better Health, Scott (aka "The Better Health Guy") "Public Health Alert" Contributor
Note: Due to the number of attempts in replying to PMs and finding full mailboxes, please contact me by email if you have private correspondence. Thanks Posts: 4463 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Maybe I gave this symptom to you when we were discussing my similar symptoms???!!!!
Please call your doctor.
Praying that this is just an interaction between meds and NOTHING else.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 5957 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
Also useful related to the interaction about QT interval:
-------------------- In Better Health, Scott (aka "The Better Health Guy") "Public Health Alert" Contributor
Note: Due to the number of attempts in replying to PMs and finding full mailboxes, please contact me by email if you have private correspondence. Thanks Posts: 4463 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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Lymetoo
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 743
posted
quote:Originally posted by lymednva: 5dana8 said:
quote:Could the Biaxin be hitting some left over babs
Just my 2 cents here, but it sounds like dysautonomia raring its ugly head. You might want to run it by your LLMD.
I hate REALITY!!
I will see my LLMD next month. If any more weird things happen to me, I'm calling him!!!
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops! Lymetutu Have you read Three Cups of Tea? Posts: 45130 | From Texas TuTu | Registered: Feb 2001
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Lymetoo
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 743
posted
I'm starting doxy today....bleeaaahhhh!!!
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops! Lymetutu Have you read Three Cups of Tea? Posts: 45130 | From Texas TuTu | Registered: Feb 2001
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Tutu, what's going on? Why the abx biaxin? Lymenet has been down and I'm trying to catch up.
I've got new rx for Biaxin sitting on kitchen counter and I'm trying to talk myself into taking it??????
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 3017 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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Lymetoo
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 743
posted
I love Biaxin....or did!! It interacts with Prilosec, Trazodone, Ambien, and Diflucan [not so bad with the diflucan].
I'm taking Doryx now. It's WAY better than taking plain doxy!! Lots better on the stomach!!!
My dr is referring me to an ENT....soon, I hope.
......Dang, I thought Scott would be back to shorten that thread WIDENING link!!!
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops! Lymetutu Have you read Three Cups of Tea? Posts: 45130 | From Texas TuTu | Registered: Feb 2001
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disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
My LLMD prescribed me Diflucon while he knew I am taking Biaxin. He didn't seem to think anything of it.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2844 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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Lymetoo
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 743
posted
Like I said, that is a minor conflict with that one. It's the others I take, or the combination of them all that did me in.
Either that, or my heart is in worse shape than it was 5 yrs ago.
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops! Lymetutu Have you read Three Cups of Tea? Posts: 45130 | From Texas TuTu | Registered: Feb 2001
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