LymeNet Flash: Biaxin vs. BiaxinXL

This is topic Biaxin vs. BiaxinXL in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by tickedntx (Member # 5660) on :

I am taking BiaxinXL (among other things), but my mother's LLMD (Dr. D on Cape Cod) rx'ed plain old Biaxin. I've encouraged my father to contact Dr. D to make sure he didn't make a mistake, but he hasn't heard back yet, and my mother has been on Biaxin for two weeks.

I understand that BiaxinXL is an extended-release formula, but does anyone know if it is believed to be more effective for Lyme than regular Biaxin?

Thanks in advance if you can help.

Posted by Noob (Member # 7052) on :

Although the convenience of time release seems appealing, I regulate my doses according to my symptoms. This requires that I split tabs and I'm not sure this is wise with a single dose designed for time release. I'm also wondering whether yeast is more of an issue with time release. (killing off friendly bacteria)

Posted by sofy (Member # 5721) on :

I dont see how I could take XL for any length of time. I have to take probiotic 2 hrs on either side of the biaxin and most say not to take any vitamins, etc 2 hrs on either side.

Without the probiotic I would be overridden with yeast even with a strict anti yeast diet.

Posted by tickedntx (Member # 5660) on :

I am taking probiotics. Should I not be? Is this diminishing the effectiveness of the med?

Posted by sofy (Member # 5721) on :

Its the opposite. The theory is that the antibiotics kills off all the good bacteria and that why you need to replenish it with a probiotic.

If you start to have a yeast problem then you might want to talk to your doc ahout going to the plain biaxin.

Posted by tickedntx (Member # 5660) on :

Hi Sofy:

I didn't ask my question clearly.

I understand that probiotics are needed to replenish the good bacteria which are killed off by abx.

People seem to be saying, unless I've misunderstood, that they aren't doing BiaxinXL because they need to be taking the probiotics.

So I am wondering if the probiotics are diminishing the effectiveness of BiaxinXL? Or if there is some other reason that people are not using BiaxinXL because they feel that they should not take probiotics with it?

Posted by groovy2 (Member # 6304) on :

Hi Tickedntx
I looked at the protocal that David
sent and he did not specifie which
type of Biaxin he was doing--
Might be a good idea to email him--
I have his new email if you need it.

I feel it is a good idea to take
pro biotics with most ABX to help
head off candida problems--
------------------------------------

I read up on the tests that I had
done--the 2 bottom ones on list
check for co infections--
Unfortantly I cant get results till
the end of the month when next
doc appointment is--

I have considered starting
Artimicin( spelling) to get the
show on the road--What do you think?

Hope things are going well with you--
--Jay--

Posted by tickedntx (Member # 5660) on :

Hi Jay:

People seem to be having good experience with Artemisinin. I can't tell what it is doing for me, but I take it to deal with cyst forms.

You should talk to G about whether to add it. It was her recommendation that I did.

Posted by johnnyb (Member # 7645) on :

So, what are we saying, that Biaxin XL will stay in your digestive system much longer and kill any probiotics you are taking?
What would be the motivation to take the XL form, then?

- JB

Posted by levity101 (Member # 1528) on :

Hey there!
I have heard that it's best to take abx and probiotics at different times b/c the abx can kill the probiotics. Some may postulate that the reverse is true as well, but I haven't heard any stong arguments on this.

Since the abx obviously get rid of our natural good bacteria, it seems reasonable that they might kill the supplied ones as well. We always take probiotics first thing in the a.m. on an empty stomach for best absorption, then wait a couple of hours before taking abx (which we usually dose 2x/day).

If the BiaxinXL is working for you, though, and you aren't having yeast problems you may not want to rock the boat...:~)

~Nancy

Posted by tickedntx (Member # 5660) on :

Hi Nancy:

Thank you. I'm glad to know that it is the abx that can lessen the effectiveness of abx, and not the other way around. I have never had a problem with yeast. Well, at least not any obvious ones.

I take my abx at 7am and 7pm with food, and probiotics at 11am, 3pm, and 11pm, but since I tend to graze all day rather than eat meals, my stomach is probably rarely completely empty.

Might be a good idea to take the probiotics at 7am, 3pm, and 7pm, and abx at 11am and 11pm.

Hmmm....

It can take a lot of brain power to schedule meds....

Posted by crazychris (Member # 7384) on :

I am taking Biaxin XL and Omnicef. I don't feel better or worse, so I am wondering, is it doing its job? My tests results show,for a lack of a better phrase, mild case. I herxed right before I had my blood work done, but since I have been on these abx, nothing. Odd to worry that I am not feeling bad........but, I wonder about the effectiveness.
The only thing that is noticeable is that I have diarhea, ALL THE TIME. Has anyone had that problem? Yeast is under control! Yeah...probiotics and diet.
Not seeing Dr. G until end of month so I have to wait and see what she says.
Chris

Posted by tickedntx (Member # 5660) on :

crazychris said: >> I am taking Biaxin XL and Omnicef. I don't feel better or worse, so I am wondering, is it doing its job?

That's an excellent question which can be asked about all antibiotics. I've often wondered this msyelf. I think it would be good for you to start a separate topic on this, so that more people will see it.

Posted by johnnyb (Member # 7645) on :

quote:
Originally posted by tickedntx:
Hi Nancy:
Thank you. I'm glad to know that it is the abx that can lessen the effectiveness of abx, and not the other way around. I have never had a problem with yeast. Well, at least not any obvious ones.
I take my abx at 7am and 7pm with food, and probiotics at 11am, 3pm, and 11pm, but since I tend to graze all day rather than eat meals, my stomach is probably rarely completely empty.
Might be a good idea to take the probiotics at 7am, 3pm, and 7pm, and abx at 11am and 11pm.
Hmmm....
It can take a lot of brain power to schedule meds....

Indeed, don't you feel that we are all popping pills all day long?

What a nuisance!

- JB

Posted by HEATHERKISS (Member # 6789) on :

Crazychris,

Get physillium tablets at the healthfood store. I holds it all together. Take w/ alot of water.

Physillium change my life. Regular. No pain. Etc.........

Heather

Posted by DeniseS (Member # 7276) on :

As I understand it, separate the probiotics the same way you would separate mineral supplements from BiaxinXL.

The minerals bind up the Biaxin when they're in the stomach at the same time. My pharmacist said that if I wait two to four hours after taking the Biaxin to take the minerals there would be no problem. I assume the same would be true of the probiotics.

I take my probiotics first thing in the am with thyroid and last thing before going to bed.