posted
My LLMD just prescribed this as my next round of meds: 3 rounds of 3 weeks on M-F, one week off, adding Tinidazole 500mg 2x/d in 3rd week.
I am Ignenex WB CDC positive for Bb but have always been negative to co-infection tests. Have done a year of oral abx combos with so-so sucess.
I can not remember folks using rifampin, much less rifabutin with Babesia meds. Has anyone been on anything similar.
I read in Dr. Schaller's Babesia book that rifampin lowers blood levels of Mepron when take together. Don't know what to make of that and how much difference there is between rifampin and rifabutin.
Can anyone please shed some light on this protocol? thanks!
Posts: 211 | From NC | Registered: Dec 2005
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"Atovaquone is protein bound (>99%) but causes no significant displacement of other highly protein-bound drugs.
However, concomitant administration of atovaquone with rifampin leads to a 40 to 50% reduction in atovaquone levels (product information, Mepron [atovaquone] suspension, 1999, GlaxoWellcome), and when it is given with tetracycline there is a 40% reduction in levels (product information, Malarone [atovaquone and proguanil] tablets, 2000, GlaxoWellcome).
(In vitro tetracycline exhibits synergy with atovaquone [16], and in small numbers of patients with Plasmodium falciparum malaria, atovaquone plus tetracycline was 100% curative [78].) There appears to be a lesser interaction with rifabutin"
This appears contradictory: First it says that mepron with tetra results in a 40% reduction in mepron levels. BUT then, it says, tetra and mepron work in synergy. ?!?
Have others used this combo of Rifabutin + Mepron(plus Zith) for Babs?
Posts: 211 | From NC | Registered: Dec 2005
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
I'm on Rifampin now, but I'm not doing Babs treatment yet.
Rifampin is one of those medications that interacts with a huge number of other medications. This is something I've talked to two pharmacists about, as well as my Lyme doctor, my internist, etc.
Because Rifampin enduces certain liver detox enzymes, it can make many other drugs that use that enzyme pathway create either too much or too little of that other drug in your blood.
One pharmacist told me I'd have to reduce one of my medications because the Rifampin would make me get too high of a dose. Another one of my medications may need to be reduced, too because of it.
So while I can't speak about the Mepron issue, it would not surprise me if Rifampin could be a culprit in terms of the blood level of other drugs.
Do you have a pharmacist you trust to discuss any of this? I did lots of Internet searches on Rifampin before I went on it, and that helped me understand it a bit.
But, no, I haven't heard of Rifampin or similar drug being used in Babs treatment.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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savebabe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9847
posted
I used several medications to rid myself of babs, but rifampin was not one of my meds. I tried mepron, zith, ketek, plaq and septra.
Finally I tested negative on my latest blood work and I believe it was due to the septra.
Both Dr. H and Dr B believe that septra enhances the effectiveness of both the ketek and mepron. I must agree with them because boy did I have one herx from hell.
Posts: 1603 | From ny | Registered: Aug 2006
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caat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 2321
posted
I think you should show your doc the info that mtnwoman posted. Mepron is way too expensive to be taking it at a reduced rate of absorbtion. It's hard to absorb as it is- you need to eat a very fatty meal with it. Yep, pretty sure if you do a google search for interactions with rifabutin you'll find simular information.
I think maybe your doc messed up.
mtnwoman- The difference is that the synergy happens in VITRO which means in a test tube. In VIVO- in your body- it interferes. That's what I see in that information anyway...
Posts: 1436 | From Humboldt county ca usa | Registered: Mar 2002
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