Topic: Coartem--Did you stop all other TBD meds before, during, and after Coartem?
Rumigirl
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posted
The LLMD I am seeing now rx's Coartem at 1/2 dose for a week once a month for 2 months (not sure if I will do it more). They also ask that you stop all other Tick-Borne Disease meds for a 4-7 day wash-out before, then during, then anoother 4-7 day wash-out
That would mean that the slow ramp-up I have been working through on doxy and rifampin, which have been tough, would be put on hold for 2-3 weeks, and I'd be starting all over again afterwards---after all my hard work to get where I am now!
When I did it with another LLMD in the past, I don't believe I had to do this (not sure), plus, he rx'd it as it is normally rx'd---full strength for 3 days.
I know that Coartem interacts with numerous meds, but doxy and rifampin aren't among them. Any feedback?
Posts: 3792 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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The main problem with coartem is the possibility of long qt syndrome. Several of the normal babs meds can affect this also -- I know zithromax is on the list and I think maybe mepron but can't remember for sure.
When hubby took this he was not on other babs meds but he did stay on minocycline and whatever else he was taking back then -- would have to dig out my notes.
The coartem did very little for him after the first round or two -- he did a total of eight 3 day cycles. I think it was every 3 weeks instead of every month with that doc.
I personally do not have a lot of confidence in coartem -- might help in combo with a very aggressive babs treatment protocol.
If there are no specific interactions of the 2 meds you mentioned then I would probably use my own judgement and just stay on them -- we usually advise our doc of all med issues but there have been a few times where we just had to follow our own judgement. You are paying the doc to advise -- the ultimate decision is yours.
This is not medical advice, just my opinions based on hubby's experiences.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Rumigirl
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That's what I feel, Bea. Thank you. I looked up all the meds that prolong the QT interval, and doxy and rifampin are not on the list---although plenty of other meds are, and I have to make adjustments for some others.
I once experienced prolonged QT interval SE's from Coartem with Levaquin and a few other meds---horrible!!! (And with Serotonin Syndrome thrown in for good measure!!). And it was while away with family over Christmas to make matters worse. Most people would have gone to the ER, I'm sure. Luckily, I figured it out and adjusted meds, but it was a horrific couple of days in the meantime.
Posts: 3792 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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sammy
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Real quick answer because I have to leave for a doctors appt.
I personally would not stop taking the Rifampin and doxy. They should not interact with the coartem. I double checked the prescribing information for coartem and ran them all through the drug interaction checker.
Also, when I was taking coartem my LLMD had me hold my Levaquin doses 1 day before and 1 day after the coartem course. I was told to continue my Lyme meds.
If I stop my meds for more than a couple days I relapse. So that's why I am so hesitant. I would hate for you to lose your ground that you worked so hard to gain.
Of course, these are my personal opinions. Not medical advice. You have to make these decisions based on what you feel is best for you. With your doctors guidance in mind.
Be sure to check your other meds. There are some that may also interact with coartem, not just antibiotics.
Rumigirl
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Thank you, sammy. That is exactly what I did already (check for all the interactions). I am holding off on taking things that do interact with it. But I decided to take the doxy & rifampin. I had stopped the 2 for 2 days, both because I wasn't sure whether to do the wash-out or not, and also because I was having brutal migraines from it again. But I started up again today, along with the Coartem.
Posts: 3792 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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I took it with doxy and rifampin for 2, 7 day pulses. The first one wasn't bad but the second was very difficult, but.... it hit my ears hard with tons of ear pressure. I seems to have taken care of my ear issues that are decribed as babs symptoms. Coartem stays in your system for up to 7 days and the herx seemed to be a delayed reaction. You should not start and stop rifampin. Good Luck
Posts: 433 | From new york | Registered: Dec 2004
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Cleo, what are/were your ear symptoms? I have ear pressure and pain, clogged feeling, slightly off balance, back of neck/head pressure.
I am about to start coartem for babesia. I have been on mepron and clindamcyin, zithromax, malarone, daraprim.
I am worried about coartem b/c I have tachycardia and palps. I am worried about my bad ear.
So, in the end, coartem helped your ear symptoms?
Posts: 618 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2009
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ktkdommer
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My youngest son did coartem for a year. He did not withhold or stop anything before, during or after. He took the 3 days a month dosing.
-------------------- Things are never dull. After 3 fighting Lyme, 2 are in remission. Youngest is still sick, age 22. He has new diagnosed Chiari Malformation and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Posts: 1366 | From Perrysburg, Ohio | Registered: Nov 2010
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Rumigirl
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Wow, ktdommer, did he do other babs meds in between, I assume? And did he finally kick babs out? I hope so!
Posts: 3792 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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"I still have Mt.Everest to climb, but I have traveled across the world and arrived at the mountain". Posts: 633 | From baltimore | Registered: Mar 2010
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I did a week of coartem last month and stopped everything for five days prior. Zith, and mino.
-------------------- Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Posts: 292 | From Heaven | Registered: Jan 2011
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Jennifer, did coartem help? I am about to start. My dr. also said to stop all antibiotics 7 days prior and nothing in between.I am to take 3 days in a row of coartem and then one week off and 3 days again. So no antibiotics right now.
My Dr. said if you are on zith and coartem, it would land you in the ER. You don't want to mess with coartem and other meds.
The QT thing has something to do with the heartbeat I think.
Posts: 618 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2009
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Honestly Im not sure if it helped. Im def feeling much better but I also started armour thyroid, cortef and mepron within the past two months, so Im not sure what's helping.
I def would listen to what your doctor says to do......I went off everything before starting it. Best to be on the safe side. It also felt so freeing not to have to take any antibiotics for five days..lol
-------------------- Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Posts: 292 | From Heaven | Registered: Jan 2011
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lymewreck36
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Hi Jennifer70
How is the cortef helping? I'm having trouble taking meds due to adverse reactions, and I'm wondering if cortef might be of help for that.
Mary
Posts: 1034 | From North Carolina | Registered: Aug 2003
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