Mepron liquid vice atovaquone tablets for lyme?

[Bill]

I'm second guessing my doctor but imagine we may start mepron soon. Can anyone tell me why mepron (liquid) as opposed to atovaquone tablets? The tablets appear to be much cheaper. Are tablets not available in the U.S.? Using the information from Wikipedia, and if I assume a 1:1 ratio for tablets to liquid (mg:mg), the cost per 30 days for the tablets is less than $400. I searched but did not find an answer quickly. thanks, bill

 

(Hmmm, seeing the info. regarding Artemesinin. Why not just try that?)

 

Atovaquone

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Atovaquone (alternative spelling: atavaquone) is a chemical compound that belongs to the class of naphthalenes. Atovaquone is a hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, an analog of ubiquinone, with antipneumocystic activity. Its average wholesale price is about US$2.13 per standard 250 mg. tablet.[1] It is also manufactured in the US in the liquid form, or oral suspension, under the brand name Mepron[2], a 30 day supply of which (300ml), is about $1,600.00 without insurance coverage.[citation needed]"

Edited February 23, 2011 by Bill

[Bill]

I'm second guessing my doctor but imagine we may start mepron soon. Can anyone tell me why mepron (liquid) as opposed to atovaquone tablets? The tablets appear to be much cheaper. Are tablets not available in the U.S.? Using the information from Wikipedia, and if I assume a 1:1 ratio for tablets to liquid (mg:mg), the cost per 30 days for the tablets is less than $400. I searched but did not find an answer quickly. thanks, bill

 

(Hmmm, seeing the info. regarding Artemesinin. Why not just try that?)

 

Atovaquone

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Atovaquone (alternative spelling: atavaquone) is a chemical compound that belongs to the class of naphthalenes. Atovaquone is a hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, an analog of ubiquinone, with antipneumocystic activity. Its average wholesale price is about US$2.13 per standard 250 mg. tablet.[1] It is also manufactured in the US in the liquid form, or oral suspension, under the brand name Mepron[2], a 30 day supply of which (300ml), is about $1,600.00 without insurance coverage.[citation needed]"

 

 

Asked my doctor. now can't read my own notes but the tablet has been associated with psychiatric side effects. As many (most?) already have psychiatric elements, not something she would want to chance adding to. Believe she also thought that the tablet form was compounded with another drug. Otherwise, not sure why tablet form would be associated with psychiatric side effects and liquid would not be.

[lyme_mom]

Mepron is the drug that got me well. I felt really tired at first because of all the die off. My kids took it too. My doctor used it in conjunction w azithro and doxy for me and with amoxicillin and azithro for my daughter. Later he used it in conjunction w Artemesia and Spiro. It is considered the best one for babesia. Schaller in florida, who wrote book about babesia, says really high doses are needed but I took regular dose and it worked.

[Iowadawn]

I have read that the pill form is not very effective. Too little of it makes it into your system. Remember, Mepron NEEDS fats to help with absorption. The plasma levels are seriously jeopardized when it is not taken with fatty foods. I am thinking I read to the tune of 50% reduction.

 

The yellow temper paint look & consistency can be overwhelming for a kid. It is for me just to look at it!! The hospital Evan was in taught him how to take it in a syringe. We load it up & he puts it way back on the side of his mouth and pushes it in himself. Then chases it with something like milk or whatever it takes.

 

Best wishes.

Dawn

[lyme_mom]

OJ is a good chaser too especially with flagyl which is worse than mepron.