I was on Flagyl and Ketek for about three weeks but had to stop because i had a severe reaction...major welts and hives. Dr. M wants me to go back on Ketek and see if I can tolerate it.
Is Ketek the one that hits the cysts? If yes I am more likely to herx?
Is anyone here just on Ketek? Has anyone had any problems with Ketek?
Anyone information would be greatly appreciated.
thanks,
Lesley
Posts: 120 | From NB Canada | Registered: Jan 2006
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Flagyl is the one most known for cyst busting. Ketek is relatively new new this country has been used in your for years.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
posted
ketek is not for the cysts, although some research indicates it MIGHT have some effect on them. the verdict is still out.
I took it for 6 months and it helped me a lot. It is tough on the liver, or can be. I had monthly bloodwork and had no problems. When I took mepron, which is for babs, and it is another tough one on the liver abx, it did give my liver problems and I had to stop. We are all so different. Just get the monthly blood work to ensure all is well. good luck.
Posts: 132 | From SE Pa | Registered: May 2006
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
It should be blood tested every month or at least every 2nd month while being on it. Watch for any yellowing of eyes or skin jaundice.
I was on it before and might do it again some people have bad reaction others dont?
Ketek Active Ingredients: Telithromycin Representative Names: Ketek Available Product Images:
What are telithromycin tablets? What should my health care professional know before I take telithromycin? How should I take this medicine? What if I miss a dose? What drug(s) may interact with telithromycin? What side effects may I notice from taking telithromycin? What should I watch for while taking telithromycin? Where can I keep my medicine?
What are telithromycin tablets? (Back to top) TELITHROMYCIN (Ketek�) is an antibiotic. Telithromycin kills certain bacteria or stops their growth. It treats lung, sinus, and throat infections. Telithromycin will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Generic telithromycin tablets are not yet available.
What should my health care professional know before I take telithromycin? They need to know if you have any of these conditions: *diarrhea *heart disease *irregular heart beat or abnormal heart beat *kidney disease *liver disease *low blood potassium (hypokalemia) or magnesium (hypomagnesemia) *myasthenia gravis *stomach problems (especially colitis) *other chronic illness *taking cisapride (Propulsid�), pimozide (Orap�), or certain medicines known as antiarrhythmics (such as quinidine, procainamide, or dofetilide) *an unusual or allergic reaction to telithromycin or macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, or dirithromycin), foods, dyes, or preservatives *pregnant or trying to get pregnant *breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine? Take telithromycin tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take the tablets with a full glass of water. You may take telithromycin tablets with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose? (Back to top) If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with telithromycin? (Back to top) *alfentanil *alosetron *astemizole *carbamazepine *certain benzodiazepines (alprazolam, diazepam, midazolam, triazolam) *certain heart medications (digoxin, diltiazem, disopyramide, dofetilide, felodipine, metoprolol, nifedipine, procainamide, quinidine, verapamil) *certain medicines to treat fungal or yeast infections (itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole) *cisapride *cyclosporine *donepezil *ergot alkaloid medicines, like ergotamine *lidocaine *medicines to treat viral infections (delavirdine, indinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir, saquinavir) *methylprednisolone *norethindrone *paricalcitol *phenytoin *pimozide *rifampin *sirolimus *some 'statin' medicines for reducing cholesterol (examples: atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin) *tacrolimus *terfenadine *theophylline *trimetrexate *zonisamide
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines that you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking telithromycin? Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: *difficulty breathing *fainting spells *jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes) *redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth *severe or watery diarrhea or persistent diarrhea *skin rash, itching *swelling of tongue or throat *vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): *diarrhea *dizziness *headache *nausea *vision problems such as blurred vision, difficulty focusing, and objects doubled
What should I watch for while taking telithromycin? Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 to 3 days. Make sure to take all of this medicine as prescribed, even if you begin to feel better.
If you get severe or watery diarrhea, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
If you have vision problems while taking telithromycin, avoid driving, operating heavy machinery, or engaging in otherwise hazardous activities. You should also avoid quickly looking between objects in the distance and nearby; this may help to decrease these visual difficulties. If these vision problems interfere with your daily activities, contact you healthcare provider.
Telithromycin has been reported to cause liver problems. If you notice a yellowing of the skin or eyes, stop taking telithromycin immediately and contact your healthcare provider.
If you have fainting spells while taking telithromycin, contact your healthcare provider. Telithromycin may be affecting the way your heart beats.
If you have a disease called myasthenia gravis, telithromycin may worsen your symptoms. If you experience any worsening of your symptoms (such as muscle weakness, difficulty breathing) while taking telithromycin, stop taking telithromycin and contact your healthcare provider immediately.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking telithromycin.
Where can I keep my medicine? Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
posted
Hi Leslie, I was on ketek/flagyl for the first 4 months of treatment....it safely brought me out of the brain fog altho it took the full 4 months.
Two years later....I am again on ketek/tini. I had the BEST 6 weeks in 4 years with it. I cannot tell you how good it feels to take an interest in life and actually garden!
I feel the bacteria level was/is knocked VERY far down with this combination. I will likely go off them again in another month, but likely will resume again in the future.
No problems with the liver...tests always came back normal.
I hope they do not take ketek off the market...Good luck to you. It is a hard drug but a good one.
Posts: 190 | From BC Canada | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
Yes, Ketek is hard on the liver for a lot of folks.
From what I understand, Ketek targets the L-form (the cell-wall deficient form) of Lyme, and *may* have some effect on the cysts, but that is unclear. In combination with other meds, it is also used to treat babs.
I'm on Ketek now, and I am praying my liver can handle a long run with it, because it is making me feel MUCH, MUCH better. I think this is a really effective drug for Lyme. I did have a terrible, mondo herx from it at the beginning, though....had to stop and restart it, and have tolerated it well since then.
-------------------- "Looks like freedom but it feels like death.. It's something in between, I guess"
Leonard Cohen, from the song "Closing Time" Posts: 822 | From California | Registered: Jan 2006
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5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
Ketec was an excellent abx for me. Many gains. Don't know about the cyst buster though. I was on it with the flagel.
I took milk thistle with it.
It was hard on the herx scale. Big time herx's and a few dermal herx's too. It was hardest on my stomach. Major gas and nausea.
Make sure to have your labs done on a regular basis. My liver held out thank God.
And really pound down the pro-biotics!
Good luck and hope you can feel better soon
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
Thanks for all the replies...i am going back on it tomorow!!!
thanks again,,lesley
Posts: 120 | From NB Canada | Registered: Jan 2006
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
I took Ketek for months and had significant progress against Lyme. However, it does appear to be hard on the liver. It is recommended that you have monthly tests of your liver enzymes levels.
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is currently investigating a potential connection between Ketek and liver damage. The FDA advisory is here, and includes recommendations for patients and doctors.
posted
I was on ketex pulsed for about 7 months, 2 weeks on and then 2 weeks off. I did not have major herxs on it, I felt good on it. My liver numbers did slowly creep up, until they did cross the threshold, I was NOT taking any liver support, doing so may have kept them down. Last year I was doing accupuncture for liver support, and this year I havent, so what do you expect ?
ANyway, I have been off all ABX for I think 3 months now. My liver numbers went back down after 2 weeks, but I decided to take a break. I still have some neuro and fybromyalgia symptoms, but I am alot better. I was on ABX for 2 years, various ones, and I just finished removing all my metal fillings, so cant say it was just KEtex, but I am much improved.
Posts: 222 | From Santa Cruz Mountains, CA USA | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
I've been on Ketek since December and have improved dramatically!
I have added Mepron the last 3 months and had further improvements.
I take liver support, don't drink alcohol, and have my liver checked. So far my numbers have not moved more than a tiny bit that the LLMD says is within normal movement. They haven't been consistently up up, down, up but only tiny movement.
I have no comparison as Ketek was the first med my LLMD tried. The Mepron was added for Babs and we are hoping to stop it next month.
I feel 85-90% better, if it were not for the week before my period I would be 100%. Unfortunately the monthly increase means the evil Lyme bugs are still active
-------------------- Lucy Posts: 342 | From Hawaii | Registered: Nov 2005
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I recently heard that the FDA may pull Ketek due to severe liver damage( I believe the news report mentioned 4 deaths+ 12 liver failures)Also in the report it was mentioned that there may be some question to the validity of some of the clinical trials safety reports.There was also mention of this on the Canadian Lyme Disease site a few months ago. A family member of mine was put on Ketek and experienced a rapid rise in liver enzymes.
I am not a doctor, but I would think twice and definitely discuss it's use with my llmd before I used ketek.
Take care, Travlr1
Posts: 66 | From West Coast | Registered: Jul 2006
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