Biaxin and Rifampin

[NancyD]

DD just started Biaxin a week ago (500 mg bid) and then two days ago started Rifampin (300 mg 1 capsule daily for 2 weeks, then increase to bid). Since starting the Biaxin she has been having shooting stomach pains. Do you think this is herxing?? She is also having diarrhea since starting the Rifampin. She is still on Augmentin XR (Dr wants to wait a week to make sure she is tolerating the new abx before taking her off Augmentin) and she is still on Tindamax (3 days/week). We stopped the Azith.

 

Do you (or your kids) take Biaxin and/or Rifampin on an empty stomach or with food? Do you find certain foods help or make it worse? Any suggestions?

 

Thank you!

Nancy

[sf_mom]

Stomach aches can be a herx but it can also be yeast.... some diarrhea can be expected with changes in protocol but if continues its an adverse reaction to antibiotics or yeast again.

 

You can develop a lot of yeast as a result of treatment and Dr. H talks about backing off treatment protocol to contend with this issue 'discussed at last years ILADS conference on DVD'. The amount of antibiotic she is currently on... is a lot. Eliminating the Augmentin would probably help. Watch for other signs of yeast too.

 

Here is the quote from Better Health Guy from ILADS conference 'Dr. Steve Harris mentioned that yeast may cannibalize dying Borrelia and that yeast is not always the result of antibiotic therapy'

 

-Wendy

Edited April 25, 2011 by SF Mom

[NancyD]

Wendy,

 

I wondered about possible yeast. I think we'll stop the Augmentin tomorrow. She takes Diflucan and lots of probiotics but she needs to cut back on her yeast intake.

 

Do you find Biaxin and Rifampin is better with food or on an empty stomach?

 

Nancy

[Betty04]

My 6 year old takes Biaxin and Omnicef both right after breakfast and dinner. I was told by my doctor and pharmacist to give the Biaxin with food. My son has also complained on and off for the past 4 months he has been taking it of getting a bad taste. Biaxin has a common side effect of causing a metallic taste - but it's never been so bad that a treat afterwards can't take the taste away. HTH

[NancyD]

I think that may be the problem...

 

She doesn't get stomach pains at night. Only in the morning. She barely eats breakfast and always takes her pills on an empty stomach. That was fine with the Augmentin and Tindamax, but maybe not with the Biaxin. She usually takes her evening pill after dinner.

 

If I took my Doxy before breakfast I would feel really sick!

 

So far, no metallic taste.

[NancyD]

That did the trick. I'm having her take it after eating. Thanks Betty04!

 

Nancy

 

My 6 year old takes Biaxin and Omnicef both right after breakfast and dinner. I was told by my doctor and pharmacist to give the Biaxin with food. My son has also complained on and off for the past 4 months he has been taking it of getting a bad taste. Biaxin has a common side effect of causing a metallic taste - but it's never been so bad that a treat afterwards can't take the taste away. HTH