Anyone considering switching from Zithromax to Augmentin?

[colleenrn]

I am wondering for all who are currently using Zithromax if anyone is thinking about a trial of high dose Augmentin, given all the recent success with it. My kids have been on 13 months of Zith and doing great until this July when they were heavily exposed to strep for a week. I have been struggling with whether or not I should either completely switch to a high dose of Augmentin and see what happens OR convince my doc to give me a couple weeks of Augmentin on top of the Zith. I wonder if I did the second option, if I could cut their Zith dose in half for that time on Augmentin.

 

Any advice/comments would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks,

 

Colleen

[dcmom]

Colleen-

 

I have been thinking about this a lot lately.

 

My only concerns with switching are: apparently augmentin is a lot harder on your stomach than zithromax, and it is amoxicillin with a better delivery system- which I don't believe has the ability to go intracellular.

 

That being said it is very interesting.

 

Is there any science that would indicate it would be preferential?

 

Eileen

[sf_mom]

I think it matters where you live and potentially what strain of strep you 'think' your child may have. For example: because our kids were potentially exposed to RF in 2007 it carries a really resilient strain of strep bacteria of M1 and M18 which is typically eradicated with Azithromycin. I confirmed this with Madeleine Cunningham. Additionally, if your child has suffered from chronic ear infections, sinusitis or pneumonia this is more likely the S. Pneumonie bacteria that has more antibiotic resistance to penicillins. If its just Strep A that your child has reacted too then the Augmentin should work fine. I also understand that there are certain areas of the country that is more resistant to Azithromycin.

 

If the Azithromycin is working stick with it!!! I will add that post IVIG we upped our son's dose because both his brother and sister had the flu twice during that time period. Every time we lowered dose we saw a flair in symptoms. Every time we increased the dose we saw the symptoms abate within 48 hours of upping. We had him on the higher dose off and on for almost 5 weeks. We lowered it on Oct 23rd to 375 m.g and he continues to remain 98% symptomless. I confirmed our independent decision to up antibiotics with Dr. K and he was fine with us doing this in the acute phase post IVIG. Our hope is to eventually get him down to a much lower dose once his immune system has been settled for a period of time and we can confirm lower CaM Kinase.

 

Also remember Azithromycin as immune modulating and anti-inflamentory properties.

 

 

-Wendy

[EAMom]

I should add that Saving Sammy was on a very high dose of Augmentin for 3 years, and then a lower dose for another couple of years. During this time, he went through puberty, which probably helped greatly (in terms of not getting a recurrence). Now, if he is starting to show OCD symptoms, he puts himself back on Augmentin short term...so he is not really totally "cured", although he is doing very well.

 

In anycase, I think if it is worth a try if you feel the Azith. isn't cutting it for your 13 year old. It could be that this strain of strep you were exposed to has some Azith. resistance?