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Development of Antibiotic Resistance and Half Life?

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Lyme Disease
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Posted 3/19/2016 5:26 PM (GMT -5)
The antibiotic Clarithromycin has a half-life of 5-7 hours for 500mg twice daily. I have heard that bacteria begin to develop antibiotic resistance when the serum level decreases in the body. Clarithromycin is typically prescribed two times a day, or 12 hours apart. When Clarithromycin is taken 12 hours apart, do bacteria begin to develop resistance to it during the remaining 5-7 hours in which the antibiotic has reached half-life?
Posted 3/19/2016 5:54 PM (GMT -5)
We do have pharmacists on this forum, but I don't know if they will see this. I hope so.

What did your doctor say?
Posted 3/19/2016 6:25 PM (GMT -5)
A med that has a half-life of 5-7 hours should last until the time of the next dose 12 hrs. later.....only half of the med is used up after 5-7 hours....the entire dose lasts 10-14 hrs. That's why the med is dosed twice daily.
Posted 3/19/2016 6:31 PM (GMT -5)
I had a similar question for my LLMD since he prescribed taking Rifampin and Biaxin all at once (Rifampin all in morning and Biaxin at night) and how effective they would be as the half life's are achieved.

By half life you are referring to the plasma levels in your blood. The LLMD told me after several days regardless of the half life of the medicine your body reaches a steady state of medicine all the time. Your peak plasma levels won't be exact throughout the day but enough of the medication is in your system to have the intended effect.
Posted 3/19/2016 6:47 PM (GMT -5)
Another thing that is supposed to help with resistance is taking more than one antibiotic at a time.
Posted 3/23/2016 1:09 PM (GMT -5)
OutUnderthe stars...

Yes I would be cautious of resistance with clarithromycin. But the others are right... if you are taking a 500 mg pill every 12 hours and are consistent taking it it will likely be okay. But if you discontinue the med for a few days, start again, then stop it, then start again, then stop it. Then SOME bacteria can get resistant. Lyme will likely not get resistant like this, but for example bartonella has become resistant like this in some patients... AND I might be one of them! Ya so definitely avoid pulsing clarithromycin if you can.
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