Does anyone take probenecid so that their bicillin is more effective? I know that these drugs are usually taken with amoxycillin, or other oral penicillins so that the drug will not get excreted so quickly. Maybe it's not any benefit to bicillin because of it's being an IM drug. From what I can find out, probenecid doesn't necessarily make penicillins work better, it just keeps the blood levels higher for a longer period of time.
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
I have read on other Lyme boards from a couple of people who use the Probenicid with the Bicillin. I'm on Bicillin-LA now and my LLMD never mentioned it. Bicillin-LA is quite long-lasting in the body, so perhaps he doesn't think it's needed. I forgot to ask him about this at my last appointment.
Posted by Porsche (Member # 7644) on :
up
Posted by 2bostons (Member # 6249) on :
HI Porshe!!
I was just reading through recent posts and I saw yours concerning probenecid..
I did bicillin injections for 12 months along with probenecid..my llmd told me that the medication helps to keep the abx in your system longer..
I did great on the injections and I have been abx and ld free since the end of last september..
I guess it wouldn't hurt to try it?
Posted by Porsche (Member # 7644) on :
Hey boston!
Glad you came along. Response has been very weak to this question. I wasn't sure if it was needed with bicillin because it already stays in your system for a long time (at least 10 days).
How much did he have you take, and how often? Thanks
Posted by 2bostons (Member # 6249) on :
Hi Porshe..
I took the Probenecid everyday, but I honestly can't remember how much..it's been 8 months since I stopped everything.. I remember that I did a similar post when my llmd decided to switch me to prob+bicillin, but I couldn't find much info..but the combination worked great for me.. I remember that I was drinking tons of water and excreting the abx too quickly was always a huge concern for me.. I didn't even know that bicillin stays in your system that long? The injections were just easier on me physically than oral abx..and I don't know if it was possibly psychological, but I felt better thinking that the probenecid would help the abx do their job a little longer and better.. it was a long road to recovery(probably not as long compared to others on this board)but bicillin turned the course of ld for me.. after a couple of months, I saw major improvement
Posted by LocalMan (Member # 11648) on :
I have been treating for babs, bart, and lyme for just under a year now.
I just added probenecid 2xd to my existing treatment, bicillin LA injections 2xweek and rifampin 2xday for last 4 months.
I have shown major improvement during last 8 weeks or so but appear to have plateaued at about 75 percent health.
Have others used this probenecid-bicillin-rifampin combination and did they see progress?
LM
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
What are you taking for your babesia?
I have a Rifampin script from my doc, but I can't decide if I am ready to start it or not. I am worried it will lower my Mepron's effectiveness.
If it wasn't for that concern, I would have already been on Rifampin a week. I am also on high dose Amoxicillin. But now I am thinking Bicillin would be better b/c I am worried about the Amox not staying in my system long enough.