Does anyone take Azithromycin and Ethambutol every day?

Posted by annagh @annagh, 1 day ago

After being diagnosed with MAC in December 2022, I have been seeing Dr. Winthrop, ID doctor at OHSU. I was on the clofazamine trial, got the placebo, but only one sputum sample since then has indicated MAC, and my CTs were relatively stable, so in spite of the coughing which gets better and worse, I thought I was doing okay with airway clearance. But this visit he’s not happy with the pattern of the CT scans, no big decline, but over the three years it’s showing more and more tree in bud. So now he wants me to start just the 2 drugs, but daily. I’ve never heard of that. I thought it was either 3 day or 5 day.
By the way, he did say that the clofazamine study which is to be released soon does show that it does have positive results. Whether that means it’s good enough to use on its own or not, I did not have the opportunity to ask, but I will.
Thanks to all who share your experiences.
Anna

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cfalci | @cfalci | 1 day ago

I just got reinfected with MAC. The first time I got it I was on 3 antibiotics 3x a week. I moved to a new city. With this reinfection my new doc who specializes in MAC put me on the same 2 you are on and I am taking it everyday. They are doing more and more research on best treatment protocols. I am also surprised and unhappy about taking antibiotics everyday. I wonder if there will be a plan to reduce # of days in the future?

I did find this article … “Two-drug versus three-drug regimens for treating Mycobacterium aviumcomplex infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis”.

yardsend | @yardsend | 4 hours ago

I am taking 600 mg azithromycin, 1,000 mg ethambutol, and 450 mg rifampin daily, for MAC with cavities. Started 6 months ago. Had a negative smear, feeling better. I have hearing and vision tests every three months. It's been hard but feeling better is wonderful.

westcottkm3040 | @westcottkm3040 | 3 hours ago

I do the azithromycin and Etham as well as rifampin daily. Just added on clofazimine 2 pills daily
But this is my third try on the 18 month program.
In the past had some clear results. But after 2 years or so it returned. So here we go again.
But I have advanced BE. So I think too many hiding spots to MAC to lay low and regroup and regrow.
No super bad side effects. Just need eye exams and hearing tests every 3 months to make sure it’s ok.
Tired of all the drugs. Tired of being tired. But no options at this point.
First time on clofazimine so hope that makes a difference.
Go for monthly EKG’s to monitor that now. Fingers crossed.