posted
I was prescribed Mepron for my Babesia Microti but even with insurance coverage it is well over $1000 per month which I can not afford! Would love to know what has worked for others. I have been on Artemisinin but even at the highest dose I am not having any luck! Thanks! Posts: 2 | From Sperryville, Va | Registered: Jan 2011
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BoxerMom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25251
posted
Malarone tablets contain the same drug as Mepron (atovaquone) plus proguanil.
nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
You have to take three tablets of malarone to get the equivalent of mepron and even then it is not absorbed as well as mepron, which is liquid. But some people say it works better for them.
Bactrim DS is another option used with a macrolide like zithromax. It is often taken with malarone and zithromax. I used it with zithromax (no malarone) for 9 months during which time my babesia symptoms got worse.
Another treatment used is Larium, Plaquenil and doxy. But Larium can be dangerous with psychotic side effects. And it is not thought to completely kill babesia - just helps control it.
Clindamycin and Quinine are used but they have a lot of side effects and a high failure rate.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I couldn't take mepron/zith so my doc cured my babesia with Bactrim DS and pulsed artemesinin.
My doc said Bactrim takes twice as long as mepron to get rid of babs. I took the Bactrim for nearly a year.
In March it will be 6 years since I completed my treatment and I am still symptom free, enjoying my life.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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Just so you're aware, GlaxoSmithKline offers a program called Patient Assistance for those of us who cannot afford these expenses. If you qualify, you can receive a 30-day supply immediately for $10.
Do a search for Glaxo Patient Assistance, and you can read more information. I hope you qualify.
If not...
Malarone might be more affordable.
Posts: 829 | From MD | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
Thank you all for your very helpful information!! I can't believe I have not accessed this sift sooner! What a wealth of info and wonderful support! I hope everyone is healing from this insidious disease! KK
-------------------- KathyKrometis Posts: 2 | From Sperryville, Va | Registered: Jan 2011
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