hello all, i just learned that in addtion to milk thistle, COQ10 can block mepron.
(no, my LLMD did NOT tell me this)
anyone know of other interactions we need to be aware of with mepron?
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
Doxycycline - reduces mepron by up to 40%. Search here for info about that.
Yes, my LLMD did tell me about CoQ10.
Terry
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
You aren't supposed to combine mepron with rifampin either.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by SickRI (Member # 16803) on :
This is good information to have. Thanks for posting.
Posted by cottonbrain (Member # 13769) on :
I've been taking CoQ10 with mepron the whole time...yikes
Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
Doxy reduces Mepron by 40%? What word should I search under to find this information? Mepron?
I have a friend whose supposed to start IV doxy and is on Mepron now.
Please elaborate!
Thanks.
Posted by NanaDubo (Member # 14794) on :
When I was on Mepron I was NOT told about not taking COQ10 and was taking it! I found out somewhere on this site and stopped.
Same for milkthistle Posted by canbravelyme (Member # 9785) on :
Oh my Gosh! Me too; I've been taking CoQ-10.
We should make a point to bring this post to the top every 6 weeks.
Posted by keltyl (Member # 14050) on :
I am strting on Mepron today, and I was never told this either.
Posted by Brainspud (Member # 16428) on :
I highly recommend Dr. S's book on Babesia. Goes through all the drugs used to treat, their interactions, and side effects. From this book, I learned:
doxy and mepron reduce each other's effect. (And at the price of mepron, we want it effective!) My doc wanted me on both at the same time and I had to point out the interaction.
CoQ10 actually feeds the babesia bugs. Get off it!
Posted by LymeCFIDSMCS (Member # 13573) on :
Wait. . . not supposed to combine Mepron and Rifampin?!! Does anyone have any more details about this or a specific article I can reference for my LLMD? I was about to start Mepron and I'm taking Rifampin and Bicillin and don't want to stop Rifampin as my bart is still active.
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
You can search for "mepron doxycycline" and that should bring up some info.
According to the manufacturer's pharmacist (I called them), Doxy can lower blood levels of mepron by as much 40%!! They gave me a number that my doctor could call to talk to the pharmacist about it. 1-888-825-5249
I agree, Dr. S's book on babesia is really good.
Terry
Posted by GADaisy (Member # 12964) on :
Doctor did warn of CoQ10 with Mepron.
Mepron and Rifampin - Rifampin causes Mepron to process through the body faster which does cause a reduction in efficacy of the Mepron.
My husband was on both together - knowing of this issue we handled it as follows:
Rifampin has an approximate half life of 3 hours.
So he took Rifampin at 6 AM, Mepron dose #1 at 11 AM and Mepron dose 2 at 10 PM. This allowed Rifampin to pass through almost 2 half lives before ingesting the 1st Mepron. This will diminish some of Rifampin's effect on Mepron.
By the way - Rifampin interacts with a ton of things - really - a lot - birth control pills, thyroid meds, other antibiotics, etc... - it's general interaction is to reduce the efficacy by some degree of those concomittant agents.
As a disclaimer - I am not a doctor so check with yours.
Posted by GADaisy (Member # 12964) on :
dble post
[ 24. August 2008, 10:15 AM: Message edited by: GADaisy ]
Posted by Lauralyme (Member # 15021) on :
Is Ceftin okay with mepron? As that is what I am on.
Sorry I don't have Dr S book yet. Does he state milk thistle is a no go with mepron? Searching on pubmed I can't find that in writing. My LLMD repeatedly says it's okay to take milk thistle and mepron.
My bilirubin is elevated I need to take some liver support that doesn't conflict with mepron.
Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
LauraLyme:
NAC doesn't interfere with mepron and that cleanses the liver. My Mom took both during her Babesia treatment.
Best,
Posted by Lauralyme (Member # 15021) on :
Thanks Clarissa
On another thread it says that NAC pulls metals from the stomach and into the brain....ugh!
I actually like taking mepron but there are so many things that contradict with it. Seems like everything is a double edged sword. Very frustrating...
Posted by cottonbrain (Member # 13769) on :
CoQ10 feeds babesia?!! Brain, can you fill us in?
Anybody know if COQ10 completely blocks mepron, or just reduces it??
also, anybody know the name of Dr S's book on babesia?
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
The book: The Diagnosis and Treatment of Babesia by Dr. James Schaller
I don't have the book in front of me. Off the top of my head I remember something like mepron works by dismantling your body's coQ10 and that cuts off what Babesia feeds off of.
I know CoQ10 is recommended for lyme folk. But everytime I took it I felt worse. Then I read the book and realize why!
Posted by cottonbrain (Member # 13769) on :
I just came across a blog that quoted Singleton regarding CoQ10 with mepron:
"Finally, don't worry - if you took all of these fat-soluble antioxidants when you took Mepron in the past, it's fine. It just may have taken you a little longer on the Mepron to get the job done, that's all."
(I have no way of knowing if this quote is correct, but it is comforting)
Posted by cottonbrain (Member # 13769) on :
I knew about the Co Q 10 but was told by LLd to take Mepron and Milk thistle...should it just be hours apart or something>
Posted by 4Seasons (Member # 14601) on :
Just wanted to mention that Mepron works better when you take it with fat - flax oil, peanut butter, etc. 2 tsp. fat to one tsp. Mepron.
Posted by aMomWithHope (Member # 19255) on :
According to Dr. Singleton's book: The Lyme Disease Solution, if taking Mepron, one needs to avoid CoQ10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Vitamin E.
He states, "These should not be used while taking atovaquone because they are all fat-soluble antioxidants that tend to neutralize the pro-oxidant effects of atovaquone against Babesia."
From this website, I learned that Milk Thistle should be avoided when taking Mepron.
Now that my daughter is off Mepron for a while at least, I was thinking of adding CoQ10 in, but now that I've read it feeds the Babesia, I'm wondering if I should or not.
Does it also feed Lyme and Bart? (These are the two we are targeting now.) I was hoping that it would help give her some energy. Any thoughts?
This is so confusing. I can see why some Docs don't want their patients adding any supplements--almost better to err with nothing than to risk interactions.
Posted by cottonbrain (Member # 13769) on :
I wasn't aware that coq10 feeds babesia...yikes..
My LLMD told me he is not convinced that milk thistle should not be taken with mepron. He said to continue taking "a little" away from the mepron.
He also has me taking minocycline with the mepron, which I have read will lower the mepron's effectiveness by 40%.
Some of the older threads refer to the drug mfr.s own websites that used to say don't take mino and mepron together. However, i notice that now that interaction is not listed...hmmm
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)