LymeNet Flash: How to take Rifampin? With or without food?

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Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :

I've just been put on Rifampin for a clinical case of Bart. Should I be taking it with or without food?

It says on the insert to take it on an empty stomach (one hour before or two hours after food), but I'm not sure my stomach can handle it. Plus I'm not sure I can fit it in to my dosing schedule unless it's with food.

I'm also taking mino, Arteminisin, plus a ton of vitamins, probiotics, etc., etc.

thanks!

Posted by ktkdommer (Member # 29020) on :

I am in your same shoes. I take mino, art, tons of vitamins and more meds.

I do take rifampin on an empty stomach. My tummy is fine I just notice I get so hot within an hour of taking it.

I now have 4 pills trays, 2 of which I carry with me to work. I also try to fit in probiotics away from all the other stuff. It is a logistical nightmare. Seems I'm always behind or timing things wrong.

Just for fun, I get to manage the meds of two others. Our house is over run with bottles of every type except the kind that make you feel good and smiling.

Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :

Wow, we're on the same things! How are you fitting it all in? The thing that's really doing me in is having to take mino away from dairy.

Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :

Rifampin can be hard on the stomach. It made me nauseous when I tried taking it without food. My doctor recommended taking it with a meal.

Posted by willbeatthis (Member # 31111) on :

I saw a much bigger improvement when I took it without food... hope this helps. I took it an hour before food with mino... Hang in there!

Posted by gmb (Member # 23562) on :

My LLMD said I should take Rifampin with food if my gut issues didn't clear up. She said it's only a 3% loss of potency.

So far I'm tollerating all my am and pm ABX doses on an empty stomach.

Zithro - Doxi - Rifampin

The only time I really had to force some food down was while I was on Mepron.

cheers

gmb

Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :

thanks everyone!!!

Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :

Taking Rifampin with food reduces it's effectiveness by more than 30%.
http://health.utah.gov/epi/diseases/mening/rifampindoc.htm

I would get up at 5 am, take my probiotics and go back to sleep for an hour. Then take Rifampin at 6 am. And then at 8 am, eat breakfast and take my other meds that required food.

I would take my second dose around 4pm.

Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :

I take it on an empty stomach and I'm fine.

Posted by nonna05 (Member # 33557) on :

On Rifampin,,,don't take with a bunch of other meds at the same time...But not a full meal either..

I used to use a few bits of apple sauce . Now they have soft food...for kids or adults .
.
I call it my squirt food...So many combo's to choose from , apple/pear/purple carrot, apple with bananna&
strawberry, etc.
Anyway point is not to wreck your gut and do a few ounces squirt right with the Rifampin. [lol]

Posted by Jamers (Member # 28016) on :

I took 1 pill on an empty stomach to see if it bothered my belly and it didn't. So, now I take it on an empty stomach like suggested. If it upsets your belly then take it with a little food, but if not I would take it as prescribed.

Posted by baileypup (Member # 22824) on :

I ultimately couldn't tolerate Rifampin, but when I did take it, took it first thing in the morning with Minocycline on an empty stomach.