This is a post that I added to the "levaquin and Mepron" post - but I thought I would start a new thread with just this information.
Please also see the other thread for all of the abx that mepron interacts with - rendering the mepron less effective (by 40% or more).
However, the most common erroneous prescription I see in Lyme patients is the combo of the tetracycline family (doxy, tetracycline or mino) with mepron.
HERE is the post that I added to the other thread - again please also read "Levaquin and Mepron" thread for more info on interactions. __________________________ I thought I would bring this post to the forefront right now since it seems that there is some confusion about this.
I know many people who have been prescribed the TETRAS (doxy, tetracycline, mino), in CONJUNCTION WITH MEPRON.
I think that more people need to be aware of these drug interactions and bring them up to their LLMDs or other doctors who might try to prescribe them.
Later they cannot understand why the babs treatment failed. I have then seen them writing off babs treatment as being worth their time.
However, they still need babs tx - the problem was they were on a tx that was rendering the mepron almost ineffective.
Especially important since babs is notorious for developing resistance easily!
We need to educate ourselves as much as we can in these diseases and not rely exclusively on others knowledge, unfortunately.
I am cutting and pasting some parts of the other thread here: _______________________________
There is written: "Concomitant treatment with tetracycline has been associated with approximately a 40% reduction in plasma concentrations of atovaquone. Concomitant treatment with metoclopramide has also been associated with decreased bioavailability of atovaquone. Concomitant administration of rifampin or rifabutin is known to reduce atovaquone levels by approximately 50% and 34%, respectively (see PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions). The mechanisms of these interactions are unknown."
Mepron is atovaquone. -------------------------------------------------
However, they still need babs tx - the problem was they were on a tx that was rendering the mepron almost ineffective.
Especially important since babs is notorious for developing resistance easily!
We need to educate ourselves as much as we can in these diseases and not rely exclusively on others knowledge, unfortunately. -------------------------------
Rifampin lowers Mepron effectiveness - even much more than doxycycline.
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I've thought about this more .... doesn't Levaquin interact with Zith/Biaxin? I think it's okay with Malarone, but not Mepron ... not because of the Mepron, but because of the Zith/Biaxin.