Azithromycin

[mistymim]

I have been taking this for 4 years now and wondering if I should have a break..

[gordyboy]

Excellent question in much the same boat myself BUT it works so well for me what could replace it ?

Regards

[sassy59]

Speak to your doctor as there are other antibiotics. Pete takes azithromycin but if he gets a chest infection he goes onto doxycycline. Xxxx

[mistymim in reply to sassy59]

Yes I have had to to do that too....

[MarieW-F in reply to sassy59]

Me too! On a course of doxy as I type. I haven’t taken my azithromycin during my current infection.

[Grace-olive in reply to MarieW-F]

I only take it when I feel like I need it ! Then it is for 3 days two a day

[Hidden]

Ask your consultant..Exacerbations will come back..but I expect it is worth knowing about the long-term side effects of 4 years of antibiotics..

[PollyP in reply to Hidden]

Hi, are you aware of long term side effects for antibiotics?

Apart for potential resistance I guess ?

Have s good day !

[Hidden in reply to PollyP]

Hi Polly

Well some are more potent than others and we are all individuals so on the whole I would say they affect your intestine flora for sure..nowadays we learn that good gut bacteria is very important for respiratory health.

Personally I had severe colitis after a 6 month antibiotic treatment and ended up in hospital for 3 weeks, so I tend to be vigilant.

As far as low dose Azithromycin is concerned there was a publication:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

The study was done over 12 months and the benefits outweighed the adverse effects which were resolved.

They do mention patients need regular supervision.

[PollyP in reply to Hidden]

Ah thanks so much for that link. I will take a look at it Happylondon.

Sounds like you had a tough time with colitis- jeez!

I make my own milk based kefir fir gut health , seems to do the trick so far, but may change to a water based one in the future to see if it produces less mucus.

Take care of yourself..

🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

[Hidden in reply to PollyP]

You are welcome Polly. Thank you for the info. Interesting.

I had live yoghurt or kefir every day until I discovered in August that I was 100% lactose intolerant l! Now I am left with lactose free yoghurts it isn’t the same..

Let me know of your dairy free recipe if you come to make it.

Naturopaths do think that dairy is inflammatory so is gluten..but there are so many dos and donts, I think it is as you say try and see..

And we still need our calcium intake, the hospital dietician told me on Monday 1 glass of milk and 2 yoghurts a day, 5 to 8 almonds. I take the lot now 😃 as I am on steroids, I am dreading osteoporosis, I already have osteopenia and Mum has suffered so many falls and breaks..

Take care Polly, run we shall xx

[Hidden in reply to PollyP]

nytimes.com/section/health

[helenlw7]

I have been taking azithromycin since last August and it works really well for me - only one chest infection for me. When I saw my consultant last week he was really pleased that it was working but said that many of his othe patients took an azithromycin holiday during the summer so I‘m going to stop taking them in May for a five months and see what happens.

[Mosco in reply to helenlw7]

Hi, my first winter on daily Azithromycin and it has worked for me. My Consultant also advises breaks from taking Azithromycin so will stop taking them once the worst of winter is over. They have certainly helped as, although I’ve had a couple of nasty viral infections, no chest infections so far😊.

Hope this helps.

[helenlw7 in reply to Mosco]

Thanks.

[risabel59]

I've taken Azithromycin for Just over 18 months, There have been no discussions of stopping. But I think this is a really valid question.

R x

[Carnival567]

I took azithromycin for 4 years and found the gastrointestinal side effects awful so when I moved I asked my new consultant if I could stop and he agreed. I have had no particular problems stopping it, and only a couple of relatively mild exacerbations since. It's good not having GI problems. If I had to I would take it again I suppose I would agree, but I am not begging for it! Perhaps four years was enough for it to do its stuff. I hope so anyway. I hope you keep well.

[Shaurene]

Hi. I just googled it. Long term use Azithromycin. Gives a lot of information. Many people on it for periods of 1 yr. interesting comments from the Mayo Clinice in USA and otheres, there are not many side effects. You should read it.

[Hacienda]

The Best Anti Biotic ever. I too have been taking it about 3 years now, it has kept all those infections away, I wouldn't stop unless my Consultant told me to. If it's not broken then don't fix it. Best wishes. Carolina XXX

[Nitap]

I was taking this ab 3 times Monday, Wednesday, Friday as I had 12 Chest infections in 2016 I was not well with it but the main thing it was making me go deaf (which is a bad side effect) so my Con told me to stop ! He then put me on another ab M/W/F again - Co-Trimoxazole 480 mg - have been on it 5 months it has worked for me no more chest infections since 😀 although I have the cough from hell - post nasal drip again, any ideas that might help me I cannot remember when I last had a good nights sleep I am drained ?? Hope you all keeping well xxx

[hallentine47]

I have been using azithromycin for 2 years and understood it is to balance the effect of my long term use of steroids which lower the immune system. Certainly seems to have worked for me as I have suffered far less infection and exacerbation since. If its working for you stick with it.

[janice01]

Azithro damaged my hearing.

Need to stop if having ringing in the ears.

Now on co-Trimox 160/800 x 3 weekly

And Ciprofloxacin 750 as rescue antibiotic....

Working well.

[Maximonkey]

Hi Mistymim, I too have been on Azithromycin for years. Last year was my fifth year and my consultant asked me to have a 6 month holiday (I was also having problems with Tinnitus, as this is a side-effect to taking any antibiotic ending in mycin, so my GP tells me) to see whether I could live without it. I was pretty scared as you can imagine as Azith has worked so well for me. Anyway on 1st April I stopped and on 1st July I returned to Azith, I was really well during the holiday and when I told my consultant in November he was pleased. However, he has put me back to 6 monthly checkups. Maybe he knows something I don't. Maybe next time you see your consultant he will ask you to have a holiday from Azith, maybe not. Not all consultants see Azith in the same way and anyway we are all different too. I just know I would not want to live without Azith and go back to having pneumonia every 6 weeks because of Bronch and Asthma. Take care. Maximonkey

[friendly]

I have been taking Azithromycin

for two years but my consultant has stopped me taking any more as he is afraid they may damage my liver, I do have blood test for this and have been ok so far. do not know if there is anything else to replace it, he did not mention this, never thought to ask but I will be seeing him again in three months time. take care Sylvia.

[VELoce21]

Hi I am on azithromycin but stop it during an acute chest infection and take the antibiotic that the bacteria is sensitive to.

[monkey65]

My excellent chest consultant doesn't like us to take it for too long because of the risks particulerly liver damage. After 18months he persuaded me to take a summer break (I was nervous because of the difference it has made) but I did and haven't been back on it permanently since. I have a prescription for 14 doses that I take when I have a cold or other exacerbation risk, and this method has kept me free of serious chest infections for nearly two years. NB I have bronchiectasis.

[canalchris]

Hi mistymim, do you take the 250mg or 500mg please?

[mistymim in reply to canalchris]

I take 500mg Monday Wed. & Fri..

[canalchris]

Found your post very helpful. Thanks.