HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Is it ok to take breaks from Rifampin?

Support Forums
>
Lyme Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/18/2021 1:08 PM (GMT -5)
I've read here that it's not good to stop Rifampin for even one day because you will lose ground or that starting and stopping Rifampin increases your risk for kidney failure, etc. Is this outdated thinking? Is it ok to take a break (maybe 3-4 days or a week) from Rifampin? I'm just thinking in terms of giving body a rest or taking off because of severe herx. Thanks.
Posted 9/18/2021 3:51 PM (GMT -5)
Hopefully someone knowledgeable will respond. In the recesses of my memory, I heard something one time that left the impression that Rifampin was do or die (not literally), but that you basically had one shot with it if you could tolerate it. I think that’s one reason Dr M does a lot of work with MCAS, preparing the patient and gradually increasing their dose.

Can you contact your doctor?
Posted 9/18/2021 4:03 PM (GMT -5)
i think there was a discussion here some time ago i think where there was a debate over whether pulsing it was applicable - some older papers seemed to suggest there might be increased chance of developing a reaction to it if stopped and started - but there were also some people using it pulsed without issue.

bottom line - if you are herxing badly and need a break its a no brainer
a few days off should not be a problem
Posted 9/18/2021 6:43 PM (GMT -5)
I pulse rifabutin every other day. It’s related but not the same drug. Dr j has made plans for me with rifabutin with 2 weeks off
Posted 9/18/2021 7:24 PM (GMT -5)
Here’s an older thread - couple years ago - about pulsing

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=4098377
Posted 9/18/2021 8:19 PM (GMT -5)
I may ask about it at my appointment next week, WBF.

Thanks for the responses. Really think the Septra DS I started a couple weeks ago caused most of the herx I just had, so I think I can handle staying on Rifampin for now (I lowered the dose for a day or two). Have backed off on Septra dose. Upped antihistamines, and I think they helped.
Posted 9/19/2021 8:49 AM (GMT -5)
Septra breaks biofilm
Posted 9/20/2021 7:32 AM (GMT -5)

Bailey said...
Septra breaks biofilm

I was thinking it might especially considering my reaction.
Posted 9/20/2021 8:02 AM (GMT -5)
Yeah it’s not just me saying it dr j told me he thinks it does
Posted 9/20/2021 6:09 PM (GMT -5)
dunno, i managed to take rifampin for 9 months with almost no day missed. ok maybe one day in 9 months, because i had a case of severe stomach issue.

and it worked...
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply