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Timing of medications for MAC

Posted by jkansas66 @jkansas66, Jan 19, 2019

Recently diagnosed with MAC and will be taking 3 drugs. Starting them one at a time a week apart. Started taking Azithromycin 1st , then will start Ethambutol, then Rifampin. Any suggestions on the best time to take drugs? The Rifampin has to be taken on an empty stomach.

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kkobrenski | @kkobrenski | Jan 19, 2019

I take Rifampin first thing in the morning and the other two just before bed – 7 months so far. I’ve been lucky with very limited side effects.

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diane36 | @diane36 | Jan 21, 2019

In the year+ that I was on the big 3, I took all of them after breakfast.

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yaggi01 | @yaggi01 | Jan 21, 2019

@jkansas66 After watching a lecture by one of the leading docs with National Jewish Health, I adjusted the way I take my meds to the suggested way….I take Azithromycin and Ethambutol together in the mornings one hour before coffee and/or breakfast. And I take the Rifampin at bedtime and try to limit food and water three hours before taking it. The info also suggested if there was any stomach distress with that med to eat a couple saltine crackers with it. I haven’t had any issues taking it this way. I hope this helps.
Take care, Yaggi01

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1 reply
jkansas66 | @jkansas66 | Jan 22, 2019
In reply to @yaggi01 "@jkansas66 After watching a lecture by one of the leading docs with National Jewish Health, I..." + (show)
@yaggi01

@jkansas66 After watching a lecture by one of the leading docs with National Jewish Health, I adjusted the way I take my meds to the suggested way….I take Azithromycin and Ethambutol together in the mornings one hour before coffee and/or breakfast. And I take the Rifampin at bedtime and try to limit food and water three hours before taking it. The info also suggested if there was any stomach distress with that med to eat a couple saltine crackers with it. I haven’t had any issues taking it this way. I hope this helps.
Take care, Yaggi01

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Thanks Yaggi01. Yes, that does help. I will try that.

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 24, 2019
In reply to @jkansas66 "Thanks Yaggi01. Yes, that does help. I will try that." + (show)
@jkansas66

Thanks Yaggi01. Yes, that does help. I will try that.

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I tried the morning and night routines as suggested, and I was miserable. Talked to my doc, and he said the best time is what works for you, so that you will take them every time. So I take mine at bedtime after a light snack, and any queasiness, headache, etc happen during the night – disturb my sleep a little but not disabling all day. I need to be in good shape during the days as I help my daughter care for a preemie & a toddler. If I was taking the meds in the morning as advised, I felt sick all day – no help at all to her, and tempted to skip them every time something was scheduled on a med day. We'll see if this is "good enough" – waiting on results of repeat sputum culture.

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2 replies
yaggi01 | @yaggi01 | Jan 25, 2019
In reply to @sueinmn "I tried the morning and night routines as suggested, and I was miserable. Talked to my..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I tried the morning and night routines as suggested, and I was miserable. Talked to my doc, and he said the best time is what works for you, so that you will take them every time. So I take mine at bedtime after a light snack, and any queasiness, headache, etc happen during the night – disturb my sleep a little but not disabling all day. I need to be in good shape during the days as I help my daughter care for a preemie & a toddler. If I was taking the meds in the morning as advised, I felt sick all day – no help at all to her, and tempted to skip them every time something was scheduled on a med day. We'll see if this is "good enough" – waiting on results of repeat sputum culture.

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@sueinmn….Hi, yes absolutely, taking the meds consistently on days prescribed is a must. I am glad you found a way to tolerate them. Take care.
Yaggi01

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Brenda R. | @brigby | Jan 25, 2019
In reply to @sueinmn "I tried the morning and night routines as suggested, and I was miserable. Talked to my..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I tried the morning and night routines as suggested, and I was miserable. Talked to my doc, and he said the best time is what works for you, so that you will take them every time. So I take mine at bedtime after a light snack, and any queasiness, headache, etc happen during the night – disturb my sleep a little but not disabling all day. I need to be in good shape during the days as I help my daughter care for a preemie & a toddler. If I was taking the meds in the morning as advised, I felt sick all day – no help at all to her, and tempted to skip them every time something was scheduled on a med day. We'll see if this is "good enough" – waiting on results of repeat sputum culture.

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@sueinmn thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us. I’m not on the big three yet, but I appreciate you documenting what works and doesn’t work for you.

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