posted
I took 800 mg once a day for 3 months without any big problems. No liver issues..all tests were fine. It did make my vision more blurry, but so have other meds, and it goes away when I stop using them. I would caution you on using it with any herbs like Samento, oil of oregano, and other antimicrobials. I have a feeling that there can be some toxic interactions with them.
-------------------- You're only a failure when you stop trying. Posts: 945 | From U.S | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
I took a low dose of Ketek for 2 months along with other meds. I found it much easier to tolerate than Zith or Biaxin.
My liver functions did go up and I was taken off it. It was likely from the Ketek but I also have Hep C and had just added another med to the mix that made me feel really ill.
It could be the combination was too much for me to handle.
I'm kind of bummed I liked the Ketek.
Have you liver functions monitored often and regularly so you and the doc can keep close watch.
Good luck I hope it helps!
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
I had great improvement on Ketek. Make sure you get your liver levels tested regularly. Every two or four weeks.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
cactus
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7347
posted
I've taken Ketek on and off for a total of maybe 9 months, and had great improvement. No liver problems at all. I did have vision issues, which have resolved now that I'm off Ketek, so I was extremely cautious when driving (at my worst, I didn't drive at all).
-------------------- �Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
My wife's liver enzymes elevated on ketek and wouldn't come down for 6 weeks.
I also believe the following information is true: Ketek has caused 4 deaths(liver failure), 12 other liver failures, and 2 liver failures that had subsuquent transplants.For a while I believe that the FDA was going to pull it, but deciding on encouraging close scrutiny of liver enzymes.
The real problem with this drug (even though otherwise it is a good Bb drug) is that your liver can fail after 1 dose or even if you quit it when you notice your enzymes climbing..they just never come back down.
I personally believe I would pass on this one and try something else.
Travlr1 Posts: 66 | From West Coast | Registered: Jul 2006
| IP: Logged |
lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
Gee thanks Travir....
Anyway... I had a seemingly prolonged mild herx on Ketek/metronidazol.
First month I did as directed 800mgs a day.
The next month I went a little nuts and waited for my monthly cycle and did 1600mgs for 15 days...perhaps the first dose made me looney or I fell into that...
If one works two would be better thing...I will count myself lucky cuz a few months later I heard of all the problems supposedly with the drug...
I DO NOT RECOMMEND this to anyone...but I only mention it cuz it did NOT kill my liver...
or me
but I believe a lower dose The 800 as prescribed for a longer period of time is better than what I attempted.
I waited a month and went back to the 800 dose a day.
I had some vision problems and some ache around my heart and laid around alot due to the mild constant herx reaction.
Two weeks after the Ketek I felt better but not cured...not as much chronic pain.
eight months later some of my pains are back...dang it!
zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I took 2 a day for 6 months (along with Alinia) and had no problems at all with liver. I thought it made a lot of difference with the babs and lyme both. Good luck!
Posts: 393 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
I did go back to my llmd and we decided to stop the ketek.
My vision was really bad with it. I have trouble with my eyes anyway but it go so much worse on the ketek.
Now he has me starting art, I'm still waiting for it to arrive in the mail. I am still on the ceftin. Feeling lousy these days, so haven't been checking in as often as I should.
I am so glad I found all of you. For a long, long time I thought I was alone. I am sad to see so many people sick with this and other co-infections.
Thanks all,
karen
Posts: 151 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Nov 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
I was on Ketek either alone or with other meds for 7 months. I had my liver tested every 2 weeks and it never fluctuated more than 2 pt, always well within range.
I made huge improvements on Ketek, especially in the early months. For me it really was effective and didn't cause harm.
My LLMD said that he had 300+ patients use Ketek and 6 went off due to liver rising. He thinks it is a wonderul med for those that can use it, just moitor your liver.
It really helped me so much.
-------------------- Lucy Posts: 342 | From Hawaii | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[hi]](graemlins/hi.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic