MAC antibiotics

I hope you'll hear from those on this drug combination how they handle this dilemma. In the meantime, contact your doctor's office and ask this question. A nurse or NP should be able to answer it for you.

I did rifabutin instead of rifampin daily and felt better with something in my stomach so would schedule my meds around a light meal or small snack. Even a piece of toast or some crackers would help. I also started swallowing mine with a little applesauce to help them go down. My Dr gave me the option of with or without food so I opted for with.

That is so good to hear! I appreciate your response. Hope your treatment went well!

Thank you, I will do that!

@jbwitt43 I took Azithromycin and Ethambutol in the AM after breakfast and Rifampin in the evening before bed so if I had any side effects I would sleep through them. Worked for me

@jbwitt43 According to my pharmacist, it can be taken with a couple of soda crackers. Others have taken it with a small serving of ice cream.
I took it with a couple gluten-free wafer cookies at bedtime so that I slept through most of the discomfort.
According to my old pulmonologist's long-time nurse, taking it in a way that is slightly less effective and being able to do the full course is far better than quitting due to side effects. My ID doc agreed.
Have you asked the pharmacist for a recommendation?

I am sorry you have difficulty tolerating medications and as a MAC patient and provider I can first “first person” relate. I agree that Rifampin works best in an acidic environment , it is all about being able to tolerate the plan of RX. It does no good if you can not take it. I went from no meds at 61 yo to all the antibiotics and nebulizers. I am very empathetic to this. Here is what I do that I spent much time researching. While everyone is different this seems to work for me since I have a very weak stomach.

7-8 am Rifampin and hydrate! I ride my bike to keep my mind off of it and drink water.
10am eat something bland ex toast then take erythromycin and erhambutol.
1230 probiotic. If I take it later it keeps me up. I
Am super med sensitive. We eat an early dinner 4-5. I also supplement with a protein shake if my gut is upset. I can not stress how important it is to hydrate in this situation. It helps the medication metabolize and flush through your system. Keep up the strong work. Also make sure you give yourself time to tolerate the meds. It is a tough course of events. Prayers and sweet thoughts.

@ jbwitt43. * ethambutol- silly auto correct.

Check w ur doc about a recent study where only the Ethambutol and Azithromycin alone were used to treat MAC. My doc dropped Rifampin from my regimen.

My ID doc does not care when I take them as long as I have the required every other day, 3X per week. My schedule starts on a Wed: Rifabutin is W-F-S; Azithromycin is TH-S-M; Ethambutol is F-S-T. Doc never mentioned to take Rifabutin without pills, I learned of that on my own and take it between meals. The others I take with food. I have not had trouble with this staggered schedule and to me it's better than taking them all on three given days a week. In other words I am taking one of them on any given day of the week.