Regular Azithromycin user - new side effect

[Cakebaker22]

Hello everyone, I wonder if anyone can offer me any advice. I have bronchiectasis and have been on Azithromycin 3 times a week to prevent chest infections for about 5 years now. My problem is that in the last couple of months, it has started to badly affect my stomach when I take it. Has this happened to anyone else and if so, have you any advice as to when to take it and whether it is better before, with or after food? I need to continue taking it and am so disappointed that I have this new side-effect! Thanks for any help you can offer.

[peege]

Hi, I only take mine with food. Not sure what the leaflet says however, ages ago my gp told me to take clarithromycin (similar) with food as it upset my stomach too much when I was taking it every day .

[Patty24]

Hi.. I take mine before bed. I also take natural yogurt during the day and a good probiotic. It can affect tummy but maybe try a few things and see if anything helps. Hope you get it sorted(give it 2 weeks and if no improvement talk to doctor) Good luck.

[Cakebaker22 in reply to Patty24]

Thanks, I will look into the probiotic - there are so many out there, so I guess it's trial and error!

[Patty24 in reply to Cakebaker22]

Holland and Barrett do a selection and often buy one and get one for a cent. I use a high one 42 billion per capsule by udos. But it may help and worth ago.

[Cakebaker22 in reply to Patty24]

👍

[AngieB72]

I take this too and I have problems with my stomach the day after taking it - not always but enough to not plan things for those days!! I spoke to my consultant about it and he said it is an unfortunate side effect and not a lot to be done. I take mine before bed as I find that is the best time for me. I also take iron tablets which have the opposite effect so the two actually help each other out for me!!!!

On the plus side since starting the prophylactic antibiotics about two and a half years ago I have only had one chest infection so they have really protective my lungs and my PF has stayed stable.

[Cakebaker22 in reply to AngieB72]

Thanks, I also know that I really need to take the Azithromycin as I too have had less infections on it. It's just frustrating that it now causes other problems. I will try bedtime and see if I can sleep through the worst of it!

[myamunchkin]

Hi I take mine mid morning after I’ve taken all my other meds and when iv had breakfast my stomach tolerates it much better and it seems to not effect my stomach as before hope this helps

[Cakebaker22 in reply to myamunchkin]

Thanks for your advice. I'm going to try all the different suggestions and see what helps.

[Feeder]

Hi there, I have been on Azithromycin for 3 years and take it in the morning, and have stomach ache afterwards. My GP prescribed Lansoprazole, which I take at lunchtime and I find it effective.

You should not take Azithromycin at the same time as Lansoprazole as it makes it ineffective. This information is on the leaflet.

Hope you go on OK.

[Cakebaker22 in reply to Feeder]

Great advice thanks. I have some Omeprazole so will give it a try.

[Lfcpremier]

After food I would think. I've had it 9years now.. Initially daily for 3weeks but it did affect my stomach then so I cut it down to 3x weekly. I take omeprazole for stomach to help I think. I know how you feel... So disappointing if you think a med is causing other probs.I would be inclined to try 1 every 3days rather than stop it but I don't have any medical expertise so ask chemist or Dr. Good luck! X

[Cakebaker22 in reply to Lfcpremier]

Thanks. I hadn't thought of asking the pharmacist and it might be easier than the doctor at the moment!

[Ortho10]

Hiya, I take Azithromycin at a lower daily dose, but seven days a week, and take it at bed time so any irritation may have gone by the morning. The same dose over a longer time may have less side effects.

[Cakebaker22 in reply to Ortho10]

An interesting idea. I could ask at my next consultant appointment. Thanks

[Patsy164]

Hi Cakebaker I have this problem on a regular basis. I have been taking it just over a year and I have tried taking it with food but find it better if I take it 1 hour before food. I am on omerprazone and take that 2 hours after breakfast. I have read some suggestions and will be trying the different ways. Good luck I hope you find a way x

[Cakebaker22 in reply to Patsy164]

Thank you. Trials of all these ideas are necessary - something will hopefully help.

[Maximonkey]

Hi Cakebaker, I take my Azith after breakfast. Tummy problems was one of the side effects I suffered when I first took Azith 8 years ago but I soon realised I needed to offset the problems by eating yoghurt daily and taking the tablets after food. I hope this helps. Take care, Maximonkey

[Cakebaker22 in reply to Maximonkey]

Thank you I will give yoghurt daily a try.

[dezC]

I take mine after breakfast and have had no problems. But take probiotic when I go to bed

[Cakebaker22 in reply to dezC]

Thank you iI will look into probiotics.

[Beth1949]

I have been taking is for years. I take just before bedtime every other night. I have not had any side effects.

[Cakebaker22 in reply to Beth1949]

That's how I was, then this change has happened.

[Tinker26]

No side effects been taking it for over 12 months but take a 20billion culture probiotic called acidophilus,think this helps .

[Cakebaker22 in reply to Tinker26]

I will look into that probiotic thank you.

[Cookiemonsterr]

Hi cake baker,I have bronchiectasis an asthma and have been on the 3 days a week azithromycin plan as well.

My stomach did not like it, but prednison is worse ! (for my stomach and for me, that is the motivation).

Experiment with Omeprazol dosis, experiment with your breakfast. Coffee and orange juice are not clever ideas.

Good luck

[Cakebaker22]

Thanks very much. I tried it after dinner and didn't notice so many problems on Friday. I agree with you about prednisolone - I have a big bowl of porridge and take them throughout the bowl! If I take them any later I can't sleep!

[hallentine47]

I take mine after breakfast but I notice on the three days a week I take it my urine burns a little throughout the day. It is confusing because I also take a water tablet every day over the last year so it could be a reaction. GP had no idea!