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Length of Time on Antibiotic Regimen
I was wondering how long the people here have been or had been taking the Triple Cocktail. I'm also curious about the dosages you've been prescribed. I started with 1 azithromycin, 1 ethambutol, and 2 rifampin 3x/wk. Four months in, my pulmonologist prescribed 1-3-2 3x/wk. I expect the dosages to be increased again, since the coughing has increased, not decreased, since I started the meds six months ago. I'd really appreciate hearing about the success of others' treatments.
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I suppose the usual starter dose is 1 azithromycin (500 mg), 1 ethambutol (400 mg), and 2 rifampin (rifabutin 150 mg each) 3x/week. That said, given my reactions or lack of reactions over the last six months, my doctor has had to adjust the dosages a couple of times. I'm currently taking 1-3-2, but I anticipate yet another modification soon.
Dosage is different for everyone and is mostly dependent upon weight.
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5 ReactionsWhen you're saying 1-3-2, you are taking 1 pill 500mg azithromycin, 3 pills of ethambutol 400mg (total 1200mg), and 2 pills of rifampin 150mg (total 300mg)? Thank you
That's correct.
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1 ReactionAzithromycin 500 mg
Ethambutol 800 mg
Rifampin 500 mg
I have had a dry cough for the last 7 years. Had Covid the end of March 2023. Still had dry cough in Jan 2024, had CT which revealed a few nodules they thought could be infection. Follow-up CT w/contrast in June revealed nodules in lungs had increased in size and number. Biopsy and wash done in August. Not cancer. Received MAI diagnosis mid-September. (Husband started Chemo so I put my stuff on hold.) I really didn’t want to take these meds after reading all the side effects. Another CT-w/contrast in mid-Nov. showed more nodules. Pulmonary doc said I needed to start meds. So I gave in and started them on Nov 25, 2024.
Azithromycin (500 mg)
Rifampin (600 mg)
Ethambutol (1600 mg)
3 times a week
The vision part scares me to death.
What are the symptoms of eye problems I need to watch for.
That's a good question about symptoms of eye problems. I'm going to ask my pulmonologist the same question next week. I feel like my eyes have become more sensitive to glare. I also seem to be having more difficulty with small print on the computer screen ... but that could just be an age thing. I expect it's time for an eye exam.
Interesting. I have been having more glare for the past week and half.
The problem I had was I couldn't pass the vision field test. This is a test where small tiny lights blink at different times in different parts of a screen and you have to press a clicker when you see the lights. I failed 3 tests so my eye doctor immediately took me off Ethambutal and within about 3 months off the medicine I could pass the test.
This doesn't happen to everyone, but it is something to watch for.
Good luck with your meds, they do make a difference.
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3 ReactionsI’m asymptomatic but my sputum is positive with MAC Avium and have bronchiectasis in my CT of the chest. I did 6 months of airway clearance and precautions but I was started antibiotics in November since my CT showed not improvement. My antibiotics are three times a week. Now I’m waiting for the first negative sputum and then 12 months from that will continue the antibiotic hoping to tolerate the treatment.
NJH believes I’m a good candidate for antibiotics because I have not symptoms yet and they are hoping for good outcomes. But is definitely a long journey. All the best to you!
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