Anyone have flu like reactions to rifabutin or rifampin

Yes. I had the exact same reaction. Was only on it for 2 weeks and developed chills, flu like symptoms. Fever went up to almost 103. I did the same thing, checked for flu and Covid. Both were negative. Doctor was puzzled. Said she had never had anyone with this reaction before. She ordered Avalox in its place but I’m really scared to take this due to the horrible potentially irreversible side effects. What is your doctor saying?

Same plus my liver enzymes went very high. Rifabutin was stopped

Yes, this happened to me too. I had to stop the medication. I'm in a watch and wait status now and doing fine. Rifabutin had been prescribed after I had side effects from the big three after 14 months of treatment. Couldn't do the rifabutin and had problems with the other drugs too.

@terrims You indicated "I recently switched from rifampin to rifabutin to try & help with gerd. "
Both were prescribed for Gerd or MAC?
Barbara

Prescribed for MAC -started treatment in August - I almost completely lost my voice while taking azithromycin, ethambutol & rifampin. They swapped the rifampin to rifabutin - I also take 40 mg 2x daily of omeprazole for gerd - while on MAC meds it has been like taking no PPI at all, even though very careful to take spaced apart. Terrible reflux. They said rifampin affects how omeprazole is processed so have rifabutin a try.

@blm1007blm1007
Prescribed for MAC -started treatment in August - I almost completely lost my voice while taking azithromycin, ethambutol & rifampin. They swapped the rifampin to rifabutin - I also take 40 mg 2x daily of omeprazole for gerd - while on MAC meds it has been like taking no PPI at all, even though very careful to take spaced apart. Terrible reflux. They said rifampin affects how omeprazole is processed so have rifabutin a try.

@terrims I see that you joined Mayo Clinic Connect this September. There is much information here and it takes a great deal of time to read but well worth looking for information on the site. Of course it is not only time but also feeling well enough to search and read.
I take it you have read that PPI's reduce the acid in the stomach that is needed to ward off certain types of infections. Also, are you taking probiotics?
I found this regarding PPI's: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0aPjOFWn9c It is 10 years old from Mayo Clinic.... but this is what I have heard recently.
There is much talk about taking Probiotics on this Mayo Clinic Connect to help with the microbiome of the 'gut'.
This is information is from David Kiefer, MD and David Rakel, MD from the Integrative Medicine Program at the University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine and also talks about PPI's. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXlbhDSKL-A
These are things for food for thought for you to think about and to help you to possibly do further research to feel comfortable about the information mentioned and your decision making with what you are experiencing.
Barbara

Try it- every day prepare some peeled and cut or smashed ginger with water- you can boil it or you can just add hot water to it. It helps with stomach issues. Simply drink it through the day adding water. It has been my drink because I don’t like pure water.

I agree with you regarding the Ginger. I haven't been smashing mine. I have slices that I let steep in the hot water for a while. To keep it from drying out if I don't use it up fast enough I cut it up into slices and place the slices in a container and keep it in the freezer until ready to use the slices. I will probably adjust my practice to include keeping some fresh to smash.
Barbara

Yes, I also had horrible flu like symptoms. My ID doc had me stop, wait 3 weeks and start again, same reaction. I ended up just taking levequin instead until I got numb toes. I finished off my last 4-5 months on just azithromycin and ethambutol.