posted
I don't know whether to trust the FDA, and I've never heard of this treatment, but thought I should pass along this note of caution in case it's valid:
July 21,2006 | WASHINGTON -- At least one person has died after being injected with a purported treatment for Lyme disease, health officials said Friday in warning doctors and patients to avoid the unapproved product.
The product is called bismacine or chromocine, and is mixed individually by druggists for use by injection, the Food and Drug Administration said.
The FDA is investigating the April 20, 2006, death of a person treated with bismacine, which contains high amounts of the heavy metal bismuth. The agency also is probing several reported injuries.
Bismuth poisoning can cause cardiovascular collapse and kidney failure, the FDA said. Bismuth is used in some oral drugs to treat bacteria that cause stomach ulcers, but is not contained in any approved injection drug. Nor is bismacine specifically approved for any use, including as a treatment for the tick-borne bacterial disease.
Alternative health doctors, as well as people claiming to be medical doctors, prescribe and administer the product, the FDA said.
The FDA said in a statement that it is evaluating the suppliers of the product and "will take additional action as appropriate."
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Posts: 69 | From Chicago, IL | Registered: May 2006
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Please research any alternative treatment as much as possible. The same goes for antibiotics. We don't need to lose any more docs -- LLMD's or alternative docs who are trying to help.
We have to take some of the responsibility for our actions -- even well meaning docs can make mistakes or suggest something that is not right for you personally. Freedom in health care means we can chose among alternatives -- but being fully informed is our responsibility -- the final choice is made by the patient.
This is my opinion.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
FWIW, here are two leads on bismuth for further exploration.
1) Boll Ist Sieroter Milan. 1961 Jan-Feb;40:61-4. Related Articles, Links
[On the antitrypanosomal action of hydrosoluble compounds of bismuth.]
[Article in Italian]
FERRARI M.
PMID: 13699056
2) Int Microbiol. 2001 Dec;4(4):209-15. Related Articles, Links
Susceptibility of motile and cystic forms of Borrelia burgdorferi to ranitidine bismuth citrate.
Brorson O, Brorson SH.
Department of Microbiology, Vestfold Sentralsykehus, Tonsberg, Norway.
Gastrointestinal symptoms accompanying Lyme disease have not been considered in the treatment of Lyme patients yet. Here we examine the effect of ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC) on motile and cystic forms of Borrelia burgdorferi in vitro, to determine whether it could cure this bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract. When motile forms of B. burgdorferi were exposed to RBC for 1 week at 37 degrees C, the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) was > 64 mg/ml. At 30 degrees C, the MBC was > 256 mg/ml. When the incubation lasted for 2 weeks at 37 degrees C, the MBC dropped to > 2 mg/ml. Bismuth aggregates were present on the surface of B. burgdorferi when RBC > or = MBC, as shown by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cystic forms of B. burgdorferi, exposed to RBC for 2 weeks at 37 degrees C, were examined by cultivation in BSK-H medium (Sigma B3528). They were stained with acridine orange (pH 6.4, pH 7.4) and studied by TEM. The MBC for RBC for young cystic forms (1 day old) and old cysts (8 months old) was estimated to be > 0.125 mg/ml and > 2 mg/ml, respectively. Bismuth aggregates were attached to the cysts and, in some, the pin-shaped aggregates penetrated the cyst wall. The bismuth aggregates also bound strongly to blebs and granules of B. burgdorferi when RBC > or = MBC. When B. burgdorferi is responsible for gastrointestinal symptoms, bismuth compounds may be candidates for eradication of the bacterium from the gastrointestinal tract.
Bismuth is actually an incredibly important compound in the war against antibiotic resistance.
The downside is that right now, this kinda work is primarily research oriented, but the assumption that bisumuth doesn't treat infections is pure bogus. This compound has amazing properties when altered a bit chemically in a broad range of infections, not nessesarily only in the bacterial range either.
Posts: 559 | From Cary, NC | Registered: May 2006
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posted
The key here though is that it seems that even though one may consider PB for treating gasto Borrelia, injections are not yet a good idea.
In about five or so years, maybe when the right thiols are used of this compound, but not now. Stick with the antibiotics!
Posts: 559 | From Cary, NC | Registered: May 2006
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David95928
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3521
posted
Wasn't some version of this used to treat syphillis before penicillin?
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Here is a patent on bismuth pharmaceutical(s) by Emmanuel Revici, M.D.(R.I.P.) seems like a safer form with neglible toxicity, and was probably given in conjunction with treatment agents to counteract its anabolic effect(s) http://tinyurl.com/sxbdy
bismuth pharmaceuticals, wherein teh bismuth is hooked up either and/or both to teh double bonds of the unsaturated fatty acids,themselves,and the one carbon removed from doubly bond--the allylic carbon atom-- in the linear skeletal chain of carbon atoms comprisming teh polyunsaturated fatty acids.
"Vocabulary" of symbols:
dbd. means a double bond between two atoms; e.g.: -C=C- (here represented by the '=' sign).
excerpt: bismuth can cause a myoclonic encephalopathy
South Med J. 1994 Sep;87(9):869-74.
Neurotoxicity of antibacterial therapy. Thomas RJ.
Department of Internal Medicine, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City 37614.
The increasing variety of drugs available for the treatment of bacterial infections has simultaneously increased the potential for toxicity.
Neurologic toxicity of antibacterial therapy is generally underestimated in scope and severity; it may be classified as central, peripheral, or due to drug-interactions, several of which are potentially life-threatening.
Beta-Lactams and the quinolones are the drugs most commonly associated with seizures and encephalopathy.
Drug-induced ototoxicity is common, and sensitive tests are now available for early diagnosis of both cochlear and vestibular toxicity. Testing in clinical practice is best restricted to subgroups at high risk.
The aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, clindamycin, erythromycin, polymyxins, and possibly ampicillin have the potential to aggravate neuromuscular disease.
Ethambutol, isoniazid, and chloramphenicol are toxic to the optic nerve; bismuth can cause a myoclonic encephalopathy. A number of less common and/or unusual toxicities are also discussed.
Just copy and paste title in search bar: Nephrotoxic and ototoxic agents. URL wouldn't work.
excerpts:
Nephrotoxic heavy metals concentrate within proximal tubular cells and, some, such as lead or bismuth, specifically concentrate within intracytoplasmic or intranuclear inclusion bodies. . . .
. . . Calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil, reduce the nephrotoxicity of a number of drugs that are also ototoxic.
Clin Lab Med. 1990 Jun;10(2):323-54.
Nephrotoxic and ototoxic agents.
Walker EM Jr, Fazekas-May MA, Bowen WR.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
It is well established that many drugs, such as the aminoglycoside antibiotics and the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin, are capable of inducing both nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.
The factors that selectively predispose the kidney and inner ear to the toxic effects of these agents as well as the mechanism by which damage is produced are not well defined. The two organs differ greatly in their exposure to these toxic agents.
The kidney has an abundant vascular supply and tends to selectively concentrate a number of drugs within the renal cortex or medulla, often to toxic levels.
The vascular supply of the inner ear is not as extensive. In addition, the stria vascularis of the cochlea may act as a functional regulator of drug entry into inner ear fluids.
The absorption of drugs into perilymph and endolymph is poorly understood. Selective accumulation theories of drug accumulation in the inner ear must be questioned because of the results of recent pharmacokinetic studies, which give contrary data.
Drug-induced ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity can be explained on a cellular level.
Studies using radiolabeled gentamicin suggest that binding mechanisms of the drug to the plasma membrane of the outer hair cells of the cochlea and vestibular apparatus and to the brush border receptors of the renal proximal convoluted tubules are similar.
This suggests the same receptor sites for aminoglycosides occur in otic and renal organs. Calcium channels are implicated because of the reversibility of aminoglycoside-induced changes in the cochlear microphonic by calcium and other divalent cations.
Calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil, reduce the nephrotoxicity of a number of drugs that are also ototoxic.
Studies are needed to assess potential prevention of ototoxicity by use of these same calcium channel blocking agents. Aminoglycosides concentrate within the lysosomes of renal proximal tubular cells.
Possibly, they also may concentrate in lysosomes within the cells of cochlear and vestibular structures.
Nephrotoxic heavy metals concentrate within proximal tubular cells and, some, such as lead or bismuth, specifically concentrate within intracytoplasmic or intranuclear inclusion bodies.
Studies are necessary to determine if the same metals accumulate within the cochlear and vestibular cells, inclusion bodies, or both.
These questions and others must be answered before it can be determined why many nephrotoxic drugs and agents are also ototoxic.
PMID: 2197052 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
Bismuth subsalicylate, with a chemical formula C7H5BiO4,[1] is the active ingredient in the popular medication Pepto-Bismol that is used to treat nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea, and other temporary discomforts of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract.
It is also the main ingredient of Kaopectate (since 2003, replacing attapulgite).
It displays anti-inflammatory action (due to salicylic acid) and also acts as an antacid and mild antibiotic.
It can also cause a black tongue and black stools in some users of the drug, when it combines with trace amounts of sulfur in their saliva and gastrointestinal tract. This discoloration is temporary and harmless.
Children should not take medication with Bismuth subsalicylate while recovering from the flu or chicken pox, as epidemiologic evidence points to an association between the use of salicylate containing medications during certain viral infections and the onset of Reye's syndrome.[1]
Epidemiological research has shown an association between the development of Reye's Syndrome and the use of aspirin (a salicylate compound) for treating the symptoms of influenza-like illnesses, chicken pox, colds, etc.
The U.S. Surgeon General, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that aspirin
and combination products containing aspirin not be given to children under 19 years of age during episodes of fever-causing illnesses.
Acetylsalicylate is another word for aspirin; some medicine labels may use the words acetylsalicylate, acetylsalicylic acid, salicylic acid, or salicylate instead of the word aspirin.
. . . Anti-nausea medications may also contain salicylates, and may mask the symptoms of Reye's Syndrome.
Teenagers and adults are especially at risk of developing Reye's Syndrome due to self-medication.
Too often, teenagers are ingesting aspirin-type products without parental knowledge.
Teenagers should be made aware of the different forms of pain relievers on the market and make certain they check with a parent before using any medications.
The United States Food & Drug Administration's OTC Final Anti-Diarrheal Monograph states that there is no definitive evidence that associates use of non-aspirin salicylates with an increased risk of Reye's syndrome.
P&G has voluntarily included a Reye's syndrome label warning since 1985. P&G includes this label warning to encourage consumers and parents to consult a doctor for children and teenagers who have or are recovering from the flu or chicken pox, if nausea or vomiting occurs.
More at link above.
These symptoms can be an early sign of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious illness. Those suffering from Reye's syndrome should contact a doctor as soon as possible.
What is Reye's Syndrome? Reye's Syndrome is a disease which affects all organs of the body, but most lethally the liver and the brain.
Reye's Syndrome is a two-phase illness because it is almost always associated with a previous viral infection, such as influenza, cold, or chicken pox.
Reye's Syndrome is often misdiagnosed as encephalitis, meningitis, diabetes, drug overdose, poisoning, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or psychiatric illness.
. . .it typically occurs when a person is beginning to recover from a viral illness. Abnormal accumulations of fat begin to develop in the liver and other organs of the body, along with a severe increase of pressure in the brain.
Unless diagnosed and treated successfully, death is common, often within a few days.
The treatment of Reye's syndrome varies. Reye's Syndrome is an acute, rapidly progressive disease. It should be treated as a medical emergency, and time is of the utmost importance.
The chance of recovery is greatly increased when it is treated in its earliest stages.
To date there is no cure for the disease. Successful management of the disease depends on early diagnosis.
Therapy is primarily directed to protect the brain against irreversible damage by reducing the brain swelling.
People with Reye's Syndrome require the services of an intensive care unit and physicians and nurses experienced in the treatment of the disease.
A person with Reye's Syndrome should be transferred to a teaching hospital or a children's hospital. If this is not possible, immediate phone consultation with a teaching hospital or children's hospital.
The majority of individuals with Reye's Syndrome are children; however, cases have been reported in adults.
If Reye's Syndrome is suspected (ER Info), two liver function tests should be done immediately:
SGOT (SAT) SGPT(ACT)
continues at link above.
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[ 16. January 2008, 11:42 AM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
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