Rifampin, Azithromycin, Plaquenil Experiences

Are you referring to the risk of long qt syndrome that comes with both Azithromycin and Plaquenil?

I’m not sure I’d want to take two meds with that risk at the same time.

Babyfacedrey said...
Yes that's exactly the risk that concerns me. My heart will be closely monitored but the risk of cardiac death is worrisome to me.

Why not drop Azithromycin and replace with something else?

I've done azithromycin and plaquenil without issue.

It's also a combo that Horowitz use according to his book

Babyfacedrey said...
Thank you RedLabel and acarined that is very hopeful to hear!! My pharmacist says my risk is low it's just scary to start something that has chemotherapeutic symptoms and such scary listed side effects. Happy to hear that this combo can be well tolerated.
Girlie unfortunately I go into Anyphylaxis from the other major antibiotic class that could be used. :/

Oh I see - we’ll you definitely don’t want that to happen

That includes minocycline, doxy, Ceftin?

Babyfacedrey said...
Hi Girlie, was on Doxy and made moderate gains. It took me far but I plateaud. Specialist believes that this combo is the next phase to get me to the next level of meaningful recovery.

But did you try doxy with Rifampin or rifabutin and Azithromycin?




Only you can decide if the possible benefits outweigh the risks.

Eg. the fluoroquinolones are likely to be the best treatment for Bart but I’m not willing to take the risk of the side effects - maybe once I’ve exhausted the others’ with less serious effects I will.



It may be that the long qt syndrome risk is very minimal even with both those drugs combined.

My concern is that when I read about it - it can be there without symptoms so you may not realize it’s affecting you.

How often will you be having an EKG? Or is there another test as well?
Good to hear your Dr will be monitoring you while on it.

Babyfacedrey said...
It is scary to think Long QT is symptomless. .

CAN be symptomless - not is - could be that it’s rare to happen without symptoms.
It was a few years ago when I read about it.

/www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/long-qt-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20352518

Babyfacedrey said...
They will be doing an EKG one month in when it reaches therapeutic levels. It is a rare side effect but a scary one. Fluroquinolones left me in ICU so I think I just have to bite the bullet. It is scary to think Long QT is symptomless. At least I'm being monitored. I'm curious how many others have been on this combo without issue.

The rifampin is instead of the fluoroquinolones

You could just change the Azithromycin so that you're just on one med that causes long qt (Plaquenil)

Mino is good with riffy...maybe ok with the Plaquenil

Thank you so much everyone for kindly giving me your thoughts. So comforting to see so many have taken this combo with no issues.

An update... turns out I'm very allergic to Azythromycin. Within ten minutes of taking it I was having difficulty breathing and severe wheezing. I was able to stop anaphylaxis fortunately.

Now it's Plaquenil and Rifampin which I seem to handle really well. Awaiting to see what the doctor wants to replace Azythro with. I guess the positive is no longer having to worry about that interaction.

Thanks everyone for your input.