Should Tylenol, Ibuprofen or Aleve be avoided while on the Big 3?

Posted by lmh7 @lmh7, Sep 16, 2019

I am on the Big 3 (Ethambutol, Rifampin and Clarithromycin) for MAC and I am wondering if anyone has been told to avoid either Tylenol, Ibuprofen and/or Aleve while on the medications? I don't want to compromise the effectiveness of the antibiotics. Thank you in advance!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

You can look here: https://www.rxlist.com/drug-interaction-checker.htm or ask your doc or pharmacist.
When I did this I learned that some of my other prescriptions were made less effective by the antibiotics, and that ibuprofen COULD be an issue. I discussed it with my ID doc, who told me never to take ibuprofen together with the antibiotics, but it was OK to take 2 hours before or after. This was later confirmed by a pharmacist whose job is evaluating complex medication regimens. If you use other meds (and supplements) beyond the Big 3 and an occasional pain reliever, I strongly suggest a consult with a medication specialist - you can find one through your clinic or doc.

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@sueinmn

You can look here: https://www.rxlist.com/drug-interaction-checker.htm or ask your doc or pharmacist.
When I did this I learned that some of my other prescriptions were made less effective by the antibiotics, and that ibuprofen COULD be an issue. I discussed it with my ID doc, who told me never to take ibuprofen together with the antibiotics, but it was OK to take 2 hours before or after. This was later confirmed by a pharmacist whose job is evaluating complex medication regimens. If you use other meds (and supplements) beyond the Big 3 and an occasional pain reliever, I strongly suggest a consult with a medication specialist - you can find one through your clinic or doc.

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Thank you so much for your information. You always post such informative help!

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Hi @lmh7 I thought this discussion on vitamins and supplements while taking the Big 3 would be helpful: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/supplements/

What have you found in your research about taking ibuprofen or other pain medications with the Big 3?

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