feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
I am supposed to start Rifampin and Levaquin next week. My concern is toleration. How am I to know if I am having an adverse reaction to these meds if I am starting at the same time?
Which med would be causing it?
I am on Zith right now and my thought was to stay on zith for a week and add Rifampin since they are commonly paired. Once I see how I react, I would add the Levaquin and discontinue the zith.
I would start the Rifampin alone, but it is to be taken with something else to prevent resistance correct?
Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Hi Feelfit, It seems like most people start 1 med at a time to see if they are getting any kind of reaction from the med...that is what I would do.
I would wait at least a week to start the other med, or even longer since a herx can be a week or longer to hit. I think Rifampin needs
to be paired with another abx to prevnt resistance, but I have heard a few people who take it by itself. Like everything else w/ this
disease there seems to be no set answer.
How did you do on Mepron. Are you feeling better?
Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Sep 2006
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
I did ok on Mepron.....2 months worth. I seem to be a little better in some aspects, such as tachycardia and headache is a little better. Still have swallowing issues and trouble with breathing.
I am anxious to get on with the Bart tx as it is my last co-infection to address.
Thanks Marcie for trying to help. I know that there are a gazillion people here who have taken Zith and Rifampin.
I just want to know the zith dose!!!!!!!
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
I would stick with whatever zith dosage you currently are on right now when you add the rifampin. 250mg or 500mg a day seems to be common from what I read.
In a way more is better, but then you have to balance that against the more meds and higher dosages you are on the more likely you will run into really bad side effects or herxs and just hurt yourself instead of helping. I would not up the zith from your current amount because then if something happens you won't know if it is the increased zith, or the addition of rifampin.
I've had way too many problems with meds so I just continue to go about it as catious as possible. If I were in your position I would stay with the zith + rifapmin and do that for a while and evaulate if you really think switching to levaquin is worth it. Perhaps zith + rifampin will really help you out and you won't need the levaquin.
Also given my bodies experience with meds, one week is not really enough to evaulate a medication or dosage change for me. However, this is my body and my experience that are shaping why I am suggesting this and your experiences may be different.
Posts: 526 | From NJ | Registered: May 2007
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
thank you radfaraf. My thoughts exactly about seeing if the zith+rifampin helps. I am not too confident about the levaquin, I would rather avoid it.
Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
Back a few years ago I took 2 rifampin 300mg, 2 pills per day with 1 azithromyacin, 500mg, 1 pill per day.
Of course, you must check with your llmd as it may be different than what was prescribed for my situation.
I have been off that combo for a while now. Have started levaquin which I totally did not want to take because of all the horror stories. (finally gave in because I am desperate to get well) So far have been on a few weeks with no bad side effects. At first my tendons did get tight but that has passed. I'm hoping this kills the bart because i'm sick of this disease and don't know how long my liver and kidneys can hold out taking all these meds.
Best wishes!
-------------------- I am not a doctor and am only expressing my opinions...please do not take this as medical advice. Posts: 44 | From US | Registered: Jun 2009
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
500 mg of Zith should be fine daily based on the 100 other people taking it here.
Just 150 mg of Rifampin made me feel like a jittery mess that couldn't function so it may be best to start slow.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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