Personally and semi-professionally, I've found Tindamax easily to tolerate for most patients, especially considering the type of drug it is. As you most likely know if you've been reading here, Tindamax is a wide-ranging antibiotic that also is capable of "cyst-busting", with regards to Lyme and some other organisms that otherwise protect themselves with cyst and cell-wall-deficient forms.
It has the same side effect profile as most common antibiotics, but is notable for how much easier it is compared to its closest common relative, Flagyl. For instance, many get a metallic taste in their mouth with Flagyl, but Tindamax has far fewer and less severe taste disturbances for most. Flagyl tend to make many "just feel sick", and Tindamax to again have less severe side-effect profiles. Note, this is not limited to Lyme patients either. Also, I don't really "herx" as others seem to, so my personal experiences aren't any use here.
When it comes to going up against a wide range of organisms and especially those polymorphic "defensive" forms, Tindamax is often a great choice. Typically, the "worst" thing about it is its price - at the moment there is no American generic so if one has to pay out of pocket it can be extremely expensive, compared to Flagyl. However, if your insurance covers it and there isn't some extenuating circumstance, Tindamax is usually a better choice.
There is some debate over if Tindamax or Alinia (which is easily tolerated for many. Its chief side effect is typically bright neon yellow urine and the possible slight yellowing of other bodily fluids - sweat staining t-shirts will have a greater chance of discoloration etc... - Of course, there are other possible side effects and some do herx.) is a better Lyme cyst buster, with many leaning towards Tindamax, but with Alinia having bonuses against protozoa and other complex coinfections. Alinia's price is even higher than Tindamax though, so without insurance coverage it can be financially unacceptable. If Tindamax isn't working for you, after giving it a solid try and outlasting any herx reaction, Alinia isn't a bad idea either provided you can get coverage.
Posted by jackie81 (Member # 27031) on :
Thank you so so much for your post Blackstone!
I have never heard of Alina. Do you know if its available in Canada?
Posted by FYRECRACKER (Member # 28568) on :
i got headaches from it the first few weeks I used it.
I only used 250 mgs on Saturday and Sundays
After a few weeks, I never got the headaches anymore and the brain fog got less and less with continued use.
it is expensive compared to flagyl. Honestly I reacted similar to BOTH. So, since flagyl is cheaper, if I go back on a cyst buster, I'd request Flagyl.
Although I heard Tindamax is much less abrasive on the body.
Posted by MichaelTampa (Member # 24868) on :
I took 750mg twice a day for months and tolerated it fine, no problems, some fatigue, which I have experienced with all abx and all other non-abx methods of killing buggies.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
It's way easier on the system than flagyl!!
Posted by beths (Member # 18864) on :
I think Tindimax has another name outside the US.
I actually did better on Flagyl than tindimax-my LLMD says some react better to one or the other.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Tinidazole?
Posted by jackie81 (Member # 27031) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lymetoo: Tinidazole?
I think that Tinindazole is the generic name and in Canada I think it might be called Fasign..I think lol.
Posted by lilacs48 (Member # 20025) on :
I was very excited to get to take Tindimax but my insurance wouldn't pay for it. Pharmacist said I could pay for it out of pocket...I don't remember the exact amount but it would have been over $1,200.
A friend suggested trying Canada since she has to get one of her scripts there. I got Fasigyn for less than $70. (Plan ahead..takes a while to get it.) I was able to get the amoxicillin here cheap.
In just a short while after starting it has helped my brain organize thoughts to get my work around home done...I started it a week before starting the other so know which did it.
I think you need to start your detox pretty heavy at the beginning & all the way through...think I would have felt better if I had. Glad I'm taking it. Certainly not well but better.
Posted by t9im (Member # 25489) on :
I attribute Tindamax to bring our daugher back from the brink with all the neuro symptoms.
Then last May I attended Dr. S's conference at the UNH and she had Tindamx as the #1 cyst buster (invitro - testtube) and spirochete.
Unfortunately she had some side effects and we had to take her off early.
Posted by ktkdommer (Member # 29020) on :
We all herxed at first on tindamax but it is short lived. Each week got better and now no big deal at all. I found that I herxed more the 2nd day and the day after so I moved my meds to Thursday and Friday and then I could recover on the weekend and still work full time.
The information on this topic has been great. It was a good refresher of why we are taking it.
Posted by beths (Member # 18864) on :
I too found that my herx is worse on the day after I finish the flagyl pulse