posted
I just started Levaquin this week for possible Bart co-infection.
However, LLNP took me off of everything else I've been taking for Bb (Bicillin and Tindamax). When I asked if Levaquin also kills Bb, she said "we think it may".
I've done really well w/her so far, but just want to see if someone can direct me to a citation that might discuss the bacterial sensitivities of Levaquin.
Thanks,
Patti
Posts: 449 | From Pasadena, CA, usa | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
uhh no, levaquin is not good for Borrelia Burgdorferri.
Best case scenerio.... you have a strain of Borrelia that is sensitive enough for Levaquin to prevent growth, but that's best case scenerio. Levaquin is not powerfull enough against Borrelia isolates to have a killing effect.
There's not much information regarding the floroquinolones and their activity against Borrelia, but here is some science.
I personally have tried gemifloxacin, trade name factive, and have found that it does have actitivy in vivo against borrelia in addition to the relativly strong in vitro suseptability. Its a much better drug to take than levaquin. The side effects are less with gemifloxacin, and you only have to take 320 mg as apposed to 750mg with Levaquin.
However, it may prove plausable that the floroquinolones, such as Levaquin have activity against cystic forms of Borrelia, but for now, it can be said that only 2 or 3 Floroquinolones would be of any use in treating spirochetal forms of Borrelia Burgdorferri, the best being Gemifloxacin. http://aac.asm.org/cgi/content/full/45/9/2486Posts: 559 | From Cary, NC | Registered: May 2006
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NP40
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6711
posted
Psano, not to worry. Levaquin is often given solo for bartonella. It's normally pretty effective. However, watch tendon pain as this can be a common side effect. Watch the bart herx's as well, mood swings, rage, etc.
The Bb is a slowly replicating bacteria so using solely levaquin for a while shouldn't be a huge setback against the lyme. You can't rid yourself of the lyme until the bart is treated anyhow. It's possible the levaquin will help keep the Bb in check as well.
Posts: 1632 | From Northern Wisconsin | Registered: Jan 2005
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