What is the typical dose of Rifampin--300 mg twice daily?
For anyone who is taking it or who has taken it, which infection was it prescribed for, do you feel it helped, and are there any side effects to be aware of?
Any comments are appreciated. I have read the posts that come up from the search.
Thank you!
Posted by AZURE WISH (Member # 804) on :
I was taking it for lyme but i have heard it should go after bart as well.
Side effects - it can turn your tears and pee orange.
Posted by lymephobic (Member # 17556) on :
I have been on it for 3 days and had my first real herx.
300mg 2x a day for Bart
Yes the pee is bright orange, but not the tears.
Posted by kellyb2411 (Member # 15467) on :
Hi Sammi,
I got most of my advice from Kevin Singletons book "the lyme disease solution. He sayd typical dose is 600mg taken once a day I think. But from what I've read you should start on 300mg for the first week before increasing in order to ease into it as emotional/anxiety herx can be severe. He also suggests taking it of an evening.
It should also be taken in conjunction with another abx to avoid resistance and not pulsed either. It also needs to be taken on an empty stomach a couple of hours before and after eating.
You need to bet monthly blood tests of liver and kidney enzymes and white blood cells as it can cause some problems. I've been fine so far and haven't really had any adverse effects to date.
I have been taking it for a month or so and have noticed elevated anxiety. Some people get this really bad, mine has been worse but still manageable.
It is normally used to treat Bart.
I had a different herx from it. My left hip and back got extremely sore and I had skin sensitivity in these areas and an aching left shoulder. I also broke out in a circular rash on my back. My hip and back were very painful but went away after about 2 weeks.
Hope this helps.
Kelly
Posted by gemofnj (Member # 15551) on :
Sammi,
I just started on 300 mg x 2 a day of Rifampin amost a week ago and I seem to have no reaction to it so far. (orange urine)
Can't tell yet if it has help with my bart symptoms which are sore heels on/off, heart thuds on/off and sore lymph nodes.
My LLMD paired it with TOA cat's claw.
Hope that helps a little.
Posted by Lauralyme (Member # 15021) on :
Rifampin has been the best drug for me in seeing the most results.
I am taking a lower dose as I am taking enzymes which seem to amplify the ABX too much
I am on 150mg Rifampin 2 X day and Mino 50 mg 2 X a day
No orange pee on this dosage.
This drug seems really effective for treating Bart
Posted by kylasrain (Member # 12031) on :
Aside from the orange pee and tears, the hardest side effect for me has been anxiety/heart pounding. I have a hard time sleeping because the pounding is so loud.
Along with the advise from the others, my doc recommends taking it in the morning for the above reasons.
I also recommend taking it at the same time every day (not even missing it by an hour!)as this lessoned my side effects. If I screw up, the pounding is more severe and takes days to calm down again =(
On the positive side, my backpain has been cut in half...a symptom I thought would never subside!
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i'm working up to 600mg a day-been wondering about the orange pee...
kelly---no one said anything about away from food , or once a day , or with another med...not the llmd or pharmacist. i'm not having trouble yet-but have major gi probs so don't really want to take without food...anyone one else heard of taking it without food?
i'm glad this thread is here-didn't know about the anxiety-need to be ready for that-does anyone take antianxiety meds with it?
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
My Lyme Dr. said that they discussed the "take away from food" thing at the ILAD's conference in Oct and it was said that if you can take without food that's good but if you have to take ABX with food that's OK too.
Rifampin can be tough on the liver - I had to go off of it right away (after four weeks) because my liver enzymes when sky high - but I could feel that it was helping my worst symptoms.
I would recommend taking Milk Thistle and/or LiverCare by Himalaya while taking Rifampin to lower the risk of liver issues.
The orange pee is fun and the orange poop is even funnier - I didn't have orange tears.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
thanks. i'll double my milk thistle.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Thank you everyone for your replies, they are very helpful!
My doctor prescribed this twice a day to be taken with food. He is a well-respected Lyme doctor. I already have a lot of nausea, so this may be the reason why he prescribed it this way for me.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
AZURE WISH, I believe it can also treat Ehrlichiosis when Doxy is not effective.
lymephobic, I am glad you can tell it is working.
Kelly, thanks for the info. I have Dr. Singleton's book so I will check out the info.
gemofnj, I also take Samento. I hope the combo works well for you.
Lauralyme, I am glad the Rifampin is helping you. What enzymes are you taking?
kylasrain, thanks for the info on the heart pounding so I know this may intensify.
lpkayak, how long are you taking a lower dose?
mojo, I am so glad I can look forward to--how shall I say it--colorful eliminations!
tosho, thanks for the link.
I hope this is an effective med for everyone.
Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :
Just wanted to add - Be prepared to buy a new toilet seat when you're done with it. The orange pee stains so be conscious of this when using the bathroom!!
P.S. It seriously helped me get well.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
for now -about a week i will take it 150mg 2x a day with meal
nnext week i'll see if i can up it without severe hers
my llmd has us start lower-so we herx a little but not enough to knock us out-hurt liver etc
hopefully when it kills some off i can up the dose
if i get on the whole dose with food - 2x a day-i guess l'll try without food and once a day...
i'm thinking about the once a day thing cuz i like to go by dr B
but my doc is really good too
Posted by Lauralyme (Member # 15021) on :
Sammi I am taking vegetable enzymes to reduce biofilm. Apparently lumbrokinase is the best for this but were too strong for me.
Posted by gemofnj (Member # 15551) on :
Has anyone noticed weight gain on Rifampin?? I dont understand why I would be gaining a little weight just because I switch to this protocol.
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
I have been craving fatty foods like chicken pot pie and macaroni and cheese and pizza since on Rifampin.
The cravings have been really intense.....I am good about saying no to cravings, but these I have been giving in to, and now I think I might have gained like 5 lbs.
I spoke with someone else who has been getting this too from Rifampin, but he craved fried foods, but for him this only lasted a week.
I'm thinking for me it will pass though as these things usually do.
So with the weight gain, you are not alone.
Posted by gemofnj (Member # 15551) on :
Hoos,
There is definitely a difference in my appetite too and I do notice not being satisfied as I usually am.
UGH... I hope this passes.. and quickly!
The ONLY good thing about lyme was that I initially lost some weight.
Posted by AP (Member # 8430) on :
I was on 600mg IV once daily for Lyme. I wasn't very compliant and meds were switched around.
Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :
I actually have some old bottles around here that says take WITH food,,and some says take away from food,,,so does that mean it works either way??
OR one doc is right,,,other is wrong???
Posted by 4Seasons (Member # 14601) on :
I would suggest not starting at the full dose, but working up to it slowly.
My daughter had a horrible anxiety herx when starting Rifampin. I posted about it and others have experienced the same thing, so be prepared, it may happen.
Also, taking Rifampin reduces the effect of any psychoactive drugs like anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Thank you for all the replies!
Lauralyme, can you elaborate on the enzymes? How much do you take and how do they work?
lymeinhell, I guess the orange urine is worth it if you are feeling better!
AP, I hope your new protocol is working.
I hope I don't gain weight from it! Maybe it is prescribed with or without food depending on the person's symptoms.
4seasons, thanks for the info. I hope your daughter is doing better.
Posted by Lauralyme (Member # 15021) on :
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