Rumigirl
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posted
I am going back to a previous LLMD, and need to go back on treatment for Babesia, which would include high-dose Mepron.
This LLMD, contrary to most, thinks that it’s alright to take CoQ 10 with Mepron, although I wouldn’t take them at the same time. CoQ 10 is a really important supplement for me, that helps me to function better.
I have to ask him again why he thinks this. I think it had something to do with how much we need it?
Has anyone else ever heard this from their doctor or elsewhere? This particular doctor has some other ideas, which are contrary to most.
I want to keep taking CoQ 10, but don’t want to shoot myself in the foot re Babesia treatment. Anyone have any comments, experience, etc.?
In the past, Mepron still helped me in spite of CoQ 10, when I did take both, but who knows if it also interfered? Maybe I should do my own experiment---without or with, but may not notice a difference, except that CoQ10 helps me! Thank you!
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Catgirl
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I think it messes with the QT interval. Your pharmacist might be able to shed some light on it.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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steve1906
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posted
Rumigirl,
Dr.B - 3. CO-Q10- required, but do not use while taking the prescription drug atovaquone (Mepron, Malarone).
Deficiencies have been related to poor function of the heart, limitations of stamina, gum disease, and poor resistance to infections. Heart biopsy studies in Lyme patients indicated that they should take between 300 and 400mg daily. I recommend the Co Q-10 from Researched Nutritionals. One caplet contains 400 mg, so the dose is one a day with food.
I also found this online:
Do Not Take CoQ10 While Treating With Mepron or Malarone (Atovaquone)
Why Can’t I take CoQ10 With Mepron or Malrone?
Many people such as myself wonder why we have to stop CoQ10 while on Mepron and Malarone. I thought maybe it could cause side effects or cause a reaction when I first heard of this. I noticed a few people who still take CoQ10 while on Mepron (yellow paint). I never had an answer until a recent visit to my doctor.
From what I am told by my LLMD:
Mepron, Malarone (Atovaquone) deplete the body of natural CoQ10 that the body produces daily. By depleting the CoQ10 this helps to kill off the Babesia (co’s). At the same time due to the lack of CoQ10 there is some risk of becoming even more depressed, suicidal and having weird thoughts…etc.
That is why there is a suicide warning with the meds and most doctors will tell you to stay away from anything that can harm you. So if you are taking CoQ10 while on Mepron or Malarone you are defeating the purpose of the meds because you are adding CoQ10 back into the body that the meds are trying to get rid of.
I am also told that a Lyme patient should be on Zithromax (Azithromycin) while on Mepron but it is not necessary on Malarone.
What is Mepron?
Mepron is a yellow thick suspension (liquid) and one way to take Atovaquone. It tastes like lemon and has a numbing sensation like a cough syrup.
What is Malarone?
Malarone is a pill form of Atovaquone. Mepron and Malarone are both Antimalarial medications.
Depression and Suicide while on Mepron and Malarone
It is common to feel depressed, suicidal and wanting to harm yourself while on these meds. You can have nightmares and strange thoughts. It may not be you but just the meds making you feel this way. It may be wise to ask your doctor to stop Mepron or Malarone if you are on it for months. While taking a break you should add CoQ10 back into the body by taking about 400mg of CoQ10 twice a day with food for 1-2 weeks. This should help bring your CoQ10 levels backup and help with some of the depression and suicidal thoughts.
Note
I am not a doctor just a patient so please ask your doctor about anything discussed here. I am taking Mepron and Malarone and I just finished a 2 week break and building my CoQ10 back up.
posted
Some LLMD's do not even prescribe mepron anymore. They feel that malarone is more effective. But the dose needs to be a total of 4 or 6 pills daily. Take either 2 or 3 pills per dose.
Another med option that hubby never tried - just saw this in a new to me textbook I purchased - pentamidine. The medical journal article referenced was called - Babesiosis, pentamidine and cotrimoxazole. The last one is actually another name for Bactrim.
The pentamidine is an antifungal - may work similarly to tindamax or flagyl. When I did a pubmed search using the words babesia and pentamidine it brought up 21 articles - several related to animals.
Have no idea what the med costs, but it definitely might be worth checking into.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
quote:Originally posted by steve1906: Rumigirl,
Note
I am not a doctor just a patient so please ask your doctor about anything discussed here. I am taking Mepron and Malarone and I just finished a 2 week break and building my CoQ10 back up.
Steve, are you taking BOTH Mepron and Malarone simultaneously?? If so, I've never heard of that, although maybe it makes sense. Please elaborate, unless I misunderstood.
I also came across one of the LLMD blogger's posts, saying that he didn't believe that it interfered, because it affected different parts of the cells (I forget exactly what he said).
Mepron has definitely helped me in the past, although not curatively, probablly partly because I only once had zithromax with it, due to getting worse tinnitus. I have terrible tinnitus as it is, and it does fluctuate, so I am willing to try it again (carefully), to see if it really was from the zithromax.
It may seem like an odd reason, but I do have over a month's worth of high-dose Mepron left (more if the dose is slightly less), and it is so darned expensive. I know it has now gone generic.
Bea, I will have to look into those meds for the future, as we surely need more and better Babesia meds, as you know from such terrible experience.
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steve1906
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I'm not taking either one, just posted it for the info...
Steve
-------------------- Everything I say is just my opinion! Posts: 3529 | From Massachusetts Boston Area | Registered: Jul 2008
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Dr S who wrote the babesia books was the one who suggested using both mepron and malarone. I am pretty sure he said that artemisinin was also needed with that 2 drug combo to actually get rid of babs. Also think that the dose of mepron was the double dose even when the malarone was added - but do not know the dose of malarone used.
I cashed in a couple of hundred dollars worth of aluminum cans and scrap metal and have several lyme and babesia books on order. Will let you know if I run across anything else new and different.
Pretty sure that doxy can be substituted for the Zithromax or maybe even clindamycin.
This is not medical advice, just my opinion based on hubby's experiences.
Drugs.com mentions the CoQ10 / mepron interaction I think. Love that site, but don't ever register there or you will be bombarded with spam emails for Viagra etc.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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I am having terrible Babs symptoms right now and called my doctor today. He changed my meds and is giving me doxy and Mepron together because I cannot take Zithromax or Biaxin due to tinnitus.
I asked him about resistance issues without a macrolide and he said that doxy was a good substitute which is along the lines of Bea's thoughts.
As for CoQ10, my personal choice is always to stay away from anything that can hinder the effectiveness of a drug otherwise treatment might take forever.
I read in Dr H's book that Mepron can be layered on top of Malarone. I also asked my doc about this but he thought adding doxy was a better idea.
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surprise
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Member # 34987
posted
I was flipping through Dr. H's book last night, and he says No
to supplementing COQ10 while on Mepron. (His new book.)
-------------------- Lyme positive PCR blood, and positive Bartonella henselae Igenex, 2011. low positive Fry biofilm test, 2012. Update 7/16- After extensive treatments, doing okay! Posts: 2518 | From USA | Registered: Nov 2011
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Rumigirl
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posted
Thank you, everyone. I did notice that Dr. H mentions it, as does Dr. B in his guidelines. I wonder if Dr. B still thinks it is necessary; I think I will ask him.
There have been precious few explanations of why.
My doctor today didn't rx anything for Babesia, as he thinks I have enough on my plate healing from the surgery, and wants me to keep my treatment very simple for now.
The idea of combining Mepron and Malarone sounds like a good one!! Babesia is so difficult to get rid of---as each of these pathogens are, when they are so entrenched.
Bea, I saw a reference to ARDS that I wish I had bookmarked for you the other day. I hope that I can remember where I saw it. It wasn't completely applicable, but still . . .
The medical ignorance about all of these infections and resulting damage is not to be believed. The curtains have been pulled back for us, and there is no going back to our former "innocence." But most people---lay people and medical people alike, are completely clueless, sadly.
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posted
One other new approach to treat babesia is to add in a statin (cholesterol lowering drug) - either lovastatin or simvastatin. Those are not meds I would want to be on long term as I am pretty sure they severely deplete CoQ10.
Anyway to read more about this look inside the book below on page 559 - use the search word babesia - read the box labeled recent developments.
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