LymeNet Flash: Starting Rifampin ... What Should I Expect?

LymeNet on Facebook

LymeNet on Twitter

Follow @LymeDiseaseNet

The Lyme Disease Network receives a commission from Amazon.com for each purchase originating from this site.

When purchasing from Amazon.com, please
click here first.

Thank you.

Dedicated to the Bachmann Family

LymeNet needs your help:
LymeNet 2020 fund drive

The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations.

»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Starting Rifampin ... What Should I Expect?

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Starting Rifampin ... What Should I Expect?

TN Kim
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 26729

posted

LLMD added Rifampin to my meds yesterday and will be starting it tomorrow! Please share your

experiences with this drug! My main concern is stomach upset! Should I take it with food or not?

Anything else that would be helpful is greatly appreciated!

Kim

--------------------
Bite 4/22/12
abx 5/03/12
neg. Lyme
pos. Cpn 5/17/12

Bite 5/22/10
abx 6/25/10

IgM � Igenex Positive & CDC/NYS Positive with 18+ ; 23-25+; 31+; 34+; 41+; 66+; 83-93 (IND)

IgG � Igenex Positive; CDC/NYS Negative with 31+; 39 (IND); 41++; 58+

Posts: 339 | From Tennessee | Registered: Jun 2010 | IP: Logged |

Tammy N.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26835

posted

I had no difficulty at all with this drug. Some people have mentioned emotional side effects. I never knew that was a possible side effect. In looking back, I've had my emotional ups and downs (but who doesn't with Lyme??), so I don't know if the Rifampin played a picture in that or not. I don't think so.

Try to direct your mind into believing that you will have no difficulty with this drug and it will only do you good. I think how we approach things makes a difference - like planting the seeds we want to grow. I hope this is a great drug for you and that you do well. Good luck, Tammy

Posts: 2238 | From East Coast | Registered: Jul 2010 | IP: Logged |

Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008

posted

I had a tough time with this medicine. It made my heart race and my BP went through the roof. I also had lots of bruising. I was only on it 2 weeks.

Having said that I may give Rifampin a try again as I sometimes wonder if this was hitting lots of infection.

When I do start again I will do one week at 300 mg as Dr. S recommends in his book. I will then go up to 600.

Keep us posted on how it works for you.

Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009 | IP: Logged |

LSG Scott
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 21624

posted

it is a great drug if you can get through the first few crazy phyc days and then great strides

food does greatly effect rifampins absorption
i proved this by noticing when i took it with food my pee looked more normal, rifampin should turn your pee red to orange in color and this effect was alot less when i ate ffod with it.

good luck with that great drug
Scott

--------------------
LSG Scott

Posts: 513 | From Boston, Cape Cod, Mass | Registered: Aug 2009 | IP: Logged |

TN Kim
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 26729

posted

So, LSG SCott, are you saying it is best to NOT take it with food then?

Thank you all for your input so far!

--------------------
Bite 4/22/12
abx 5/03/12
neg. Lyme
pos. Cpn 5/17/12

Bite 5/22/10
abx 6/25/10

IgM � Igenex Positive & CDC/NYS Positive with 18+ ; 23-25+; 31+; 34+; 41+; 66+; 83-93 (IND)

IgG � Igenex Positive; CDC/NYS Negative with 31+; 39 (IND); 41++; 58+

Posts: 339 | From Tennessee | Registered: Jun 2010 | IP: Logged |

Hoops123
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 18333

posted

I have been on it at a low dose for about 5 weeks with no issues at all as far as tolerance and GI issues. I do feel that it is helping me.

Posts: 749 | From State full of ticks | Registered: Dec 2008 | IP: Logged |

TN Kim
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 26729

posted

Ok, thank you all so much! I will start tomorrow!

I am supposed to take two 300 mg. capsules per day.

I think I will take just one the first day to start

gradually! Hoping for good things from this drug ..

supposed to help with my neuro symptoms!

--------------------
Bite 4/22/12
abx 5/03/12
neg. Lyme
pos. Cpn 5/17/12

Bite 5/22/10
abx 6/25/10

IgM � Igenex Positive & CDC/NYS Positive with 18+ ; 23-25+; 31+; 34+; 41+; 66+; 83-93 (IND)

IgG � Igenex Positive; CDC/NYS Negative with 31+; 39 (IND); 41++; 58+

Posts: 339 | From Tennessee | Registered: Jun 2010 | IP: Logged |

Lauralyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15021

posted

Agree with Scott, works better without food

--------------------
Fall down seven times, get up eight
~Japanese proverb

Posts: 1146 | From west coast | Registered: Mar 2008 | IP: Logged |

LSG Scott
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 21624

posted

i would start slower , go to the 600 a day after a week it's a great but rough drug was easy on my stomach but i still had to ramp up

--------------------
LSG Scott

Posts: 513 | From Boston, Cape Cod, Mass | Registered: Aug 2009 | IP: Logged |

Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110

posted

Rifampin has been a great med for me.

Ask your doctor how it should be taken. Mine is prescribed to be taken with food.

Good luck!

Posts: 4681 | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged |

mbdq
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 26277

posted

I took 150 2x/day for two weeks, then went up to 300mg 2x/day.

I take it on an empty stomach and have had no GI issues with it. Doxy and Zith were very tough on my stomach.

It made me more dizzy at first, but overall, I've tolerated this one quite well.

Good luck

Posts: 233 | From Hudson Valley | Registered: Jun 2010 | IP: Logged |

TN Kim
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 26729

posted

Thank you all SO VERY MUCH! Your help is priceless!

xxoo
Kim

--------------------
Bite 4/22/12
abx 5/03/12
neg. Lyme
pos. Cpn 5/17/12

Bite 5/22/10
abx 6/25/10

IgM � Igenex Positive & CDC/NYS Positive with 18+ ; 23-25+; 31+; 34+; 41+; 66+; 83-93 (IND)

IgG � Igenex Positive; CDC/NYS Negative with 31+; 39 (IND); 41++; 58+

Posts: 339 | From Tennessee | Registered: Jun 2010 | IP: Logged |

Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008

posted

I should add that one of the reasons it was so tough is that my sleep meds didn't work while I was on this. I couldn't sleep. I don't know if you take medicine for sleep.

I have found a sleep med that will probably be better, the next time around.

Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009 | IP: Logged |

TN Kim
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 26729

posted

I've already been having sleep troubles even with taking an OTC sleep-aid or Melatonin. *sigh*

--------------------
Bite 4/22/12
abx 5/03/12
neg. Lyme
pos. Cpn 5/17/12

Bite 5/22/10
abx 6/25/10

IgM � Igenex Positive & CDC/NYS Positive with 18+ ; 23-25+; 31+; 34+; 41+; 66+; 83-93 (IND)

IgG � Igenex Positive; CDC/NYS Negative with 31+; 39 (IND); 41++; 58+

Posts: 339 | From Tennessee | Registered: Jun 2010 | IP: Logged |

lyme in Putnam
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11561

posted

I lasted 5 days on it. My bart is deep.

--------------------
He took u to it, He'll you through

Posts: 2837 | From NE. | Registered: Apr 2007 | IP: Logged |

Printer-friendly view of this topic

The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:

The Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey
907 Pebble Creek Court, Pennington, NJ 08534 USA
http://www.lymenet.org/