Someone had mentioned this to me the other day. They had said that Doxy reduces the potency of
Mepron by up to 40%! Since I am on IV Doxy I wanted to know if anyone knew about this because
I sure didn't...
Thanks!
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
Yes, it's true according to the manufacturer pharmacist. Cactus called them too and so did one other person so at least 3 of us have been told this by the mfg.
I'm pretty sure I read it in the babesia book too.
Terry
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
Wow... Is there anyway around it???
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
I'm pretty sure there isn't. Increasing mepron may help but I don't think it helps much. Something about diminishing returns with increased doses of mepron according to the babs book but that is a general statement and not specific to this situation.
Your LLMD may have some ideas or may decide that they should still be precribed together.
Terry
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
Thanks for your help...
Wow I'm bummed now. I take 1500mg a day of
Mepron. Now i suppose the turnout is much
less....
[ 03-17-2009, 01:58 PM: Message edited by: Kreynolds ]
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
You can ask LLMD to check your blood levels of Mepron & adjust the dose, if needed.
GSK published the interaction in the prescribing info for Malarone. They didn't know about it when they wrote up the Rx info for Mepron, but the interaction is definitely between atovaquone (Mepron) and tetracyclines. I confirmed this with their Scientific Research Department.
I complained to both GSK & the FDA about the fact that they didn't update the Rx info for Mepron to include that very important information. I don't know if it made any difference.
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
I'm wondering if the interaction would still occur when Doxy is administered IV, as opposed to orally.
Could you call your pharmacist & ask if the impact of the interaction would be different?
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
AliG:
Thanks for your replies...
I will call the pharmacy, but they will probably tell me to just call my doctor.
The only problem with that is he is only in the office 2 days a week and he is very hard to get in touch with.
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
Let me know if you can't get an answer from your pharmacist.
Usually, if they know their stuff, they like to be able to answer questions.
I get better info from my pharmacist when it comes to the specifics on interactions. They also understand that they are often reachable when doctors aren't.
Answering interaction questions on Rxs that they fill, is part of their job.
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
I called the pharmacy and they seemed confused...
The funny thing is my doctor never said a word about it.
Thanks for your help!
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Pharmacists often know way more than doctors about drug interactions. That is their job. Try another pharmacist. Anyone will help. It doesn't necessarily have to be one that you use.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
It says so right here http://www.drugs.com/cdi/mepron.html Call the company's number, GlaxoSmithKline, and ask them directly. They will have an 800 number for consumer questions.
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
Abxnomore:
Thanks for the info and the link. I will call them.
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
on the phone now....(GlaxoSmithKline)
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
she said " There is no record of this drug interacting with Doxycycline."
I explained to her that I have "googled" it and it does show a reduced potency.
She then told me to call the manufacturer of the Doxy.....
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
So you called the mfg of mepron and they said there is no interaction?? ugh!!
Here are my notes from my conversation with the pharmacist around August of 2007. You could try to call the pharmacist at the number in my notes.
I called and talked to Dawn, a pharmacist at GlaxoSmithKline. She said that the use of Doxy with Mepron could reduce mepron blood levels by as much as 40%. I can get in touch with her at 1-888-825-5249 - she is the only Dawn there. It is not listed in the Mepron prescribing info but it is in the Malarone info.
I think Alig has a good idea. Ask your LLMD to take your blood levels so that you can ensure that you are on a theraputic dose.
Terry
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
TerryK:
Yes I just spoke to her. I'll have my Doc check my blood levels.
Seems like the only way to see if there is a fluctuation...
Thanks for all your help!
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
Seems like they don't know what there selling... bunch of morons!!
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
Seems like they don't know what there selling... bunch of morons!!
Posted by jocus20 (Member # 11576) on :
My doc uses doxy/mino with merpon or malarone and has found no decrease in effectiness.
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
jocus20:
Thanks for your input... I have been getting mixed answers...
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
When I called GlaxoSmithKline the manufacturer of Mepron, they said no.
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