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Starting MAC treatment with "big three" drugs: What to expect?

MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: May 8 5:56pm | Replies (192)
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@kmescherich

Hi Sue,
For the time you have known about MAC lung disease and helped people and known about the side effects of the big 3 antibiotics, have you heard or known anyone who has been hit with blindness, color blindness, or loss of central vision, or other vision issues by taking Ethambutol?

Thanks again Sue.

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Replies to "Hi Sue, For the time you have known about MAC lung disease and helped people and..."
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 27, 2022

All those are scary but rare side effects. Be sure to set irregular appointments with your eye doc (I also have glaucoma, so mine were every 3 months) and be sure they know about the Ethambutol. If you have any change in vision, stop the drug and see the eye doc right away.

The same applies to Rifampin and hearing. You should have a baseline audio check before you begin, then every 6 months. Any changes, stop the drug and call your doc.

And remember that a short pause to get checked and change drugs is not a big deal. MAC is very slow growing.
Have you been told yet how often they will be rechecking your sputum? And have you had your eyes and ears checked?
Sue

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