Daily Big 3 - Azithromycin Dosage

Posted by bayarea58 @bayarea58, May 12 1:59pm

For those on DAILY Big 3, what is your daily Azithromycin dosage? My local Dr. is recommending 250 mg a day, but I have read 500 mg a day is more common for daily regimens. I will be running the question by NJH on my upcoming visit, but am curious what other NTM patients are taking in terms of their daily Azithromycin dosages. Thanks.

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Mary | @mjb24 | May 12 6:26pm

I take 500 mg daily.

machelp | @machelp | May 12 7:19pm

When I began taking the Big 3 in December 2024, I was taking 500 mg of Azithromycin daily. Since I recently tested negative for MAC, my ID physician reduced my dosage of Azithromycin to 250 mg.

vdart | @vdart | May 13 6:24am

I have MAC. I take 250mg Azithromycin 3x week.

mlit | @mlit | May 14 5:03pm

Have MAC and take 250mg Azithromycin daily.

frankie160 | @frankie160 | May 14 10:45pm

Hi Bayarea58,
Had MAC and took 500MG Azithromycin 3x p/week for about 18 months.
Both my Pulmonologist and Infectious Disease Docs are at Weill Cornel in New York and agreed on this dose. I believe they have a direct contact at NJH.
Flo@frankie160

kagilb | @kagilb | May 15 10:11am

Hi- I take 500 3x/week with the 2 other drugs.
K

carolj68 | @carolj68 | May 16 7:51am

I have been taking 500 mg. daily, and only weigh about 88 lbs. I cleared on 500 mg. azithromycin, rifampin, clofazimine, and 3x/week 6 months ago, and will stay on those meds/doses until November.

carolj68 | @carolj68 | May 16 7:54am

Sorry, 3x/week Arikayce. My ID doctor is a Castle Connelly doc known for MAC tx, and follows NJH recommendations for treatment.

allow | @allow | May 16 9:03am

In reply to @vdart "I have MAC. I take 250mg Azithromycin 3x week." + (show)

I started with 500 but side affects had me exhausted all the time. ID Dr reduced to 250 after 3 months & bouts of severe fatigue are much less frequent & overall sense of being tired has reduced significantly. I’ve been on Big 3, 3x week since Dec.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 16 3:22pm

@bayarea58 More important than the dosage is that sensitivity testing has been done to be sure your NTM will respond to arithromycin. I just looked back - I was on 500mg three times a week, then 250mg when they switched me to daily dosing.