I feel like I have a duel personality going back and forth between sites, I posted this on the other braintalks too...but until we all gather somewhere, I'll ask both places:

I have a urinary tract infection. I am on Imuran. Had a hysterectomy in 2002 and they damaged my ureter so had to have reconstructive bladder/ureter surgery to fix it. I am always freaked when I get an infection. I have an appointment tomorrow- can't get in to my doctor - have to see a resident and I know that she will be clueless as to what to prescribe. I know what I can't take...does anyone know if Sulfa drugs are ok?
Thanks,
Gabe

Well, talk about split personalities, I answered on the other one, so I'll answer on this one too, for the benefit of others.
Try this site: http://www.myasthenia.org/informatio...mationCard.htm
for a list of antibiotics NOT to take.
I checked my pharmacy records, and found I've been given Doxycycline Hyclate (100mg), which caused me no problems at all. But that's no guarantee you'll be able to take it. And I don't remember for what condition I was prescribed the antibiotic. Probably some kind of bronchitis problem.
I'll keep researching, maybe I'll find something else for you.
Anyone else got a suggestion?
Hugs,

Thanks Lois - I started on Augmentin and it seems ok so far.

Gabe...By now you know that sulfa drugs are not MG-friendly. Levaquin is a safer antibiotic for folks with MG. My neuro told me that the cephalosporins and quinalones are the [more MG friendly] antibiotics. Levaquin treats UT infections, respiratory infections and sinusitis.

If you go to the MGFA site, http://www.myasthenia.org/mgfa/, there is a list of contraindicated drugs that MG'ers must be careful of or avoid altogether, depending upon the drug and your individual reaction to them.

I went to that website... and I will be reading it in depth, too.

But when drugs are listed this way:
I would definitely avoid all drugs in the quinolone family if Cipro is problematic.
All quininolones have actions on the nervous system. Levaquin, Avelox, Tequin, Floxin are included.

Nitrofurantoin is often used for urinary tract infections, but it has side effects on the peripheral nervous system.
Any drug listed with CNS or peripheral effects on nerves, would be problematic.

This is the listing from first to last intervention for UTI.. this is the typical scale used by many doctors.

Amoxicillin/Cephalexin
Sulfonamides (Septra)
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid, Macrodantin)
Cipro

Doxycycline can be tried for some. It however causes alot of vaginal Candida overgrowth. And alot depends on what organisms are causing the problem.
Some doctors culture for them, to find the best agent.

Anyone with high risk factors should try daily cranberry extracts in tablet/capsule form 3 or 4 times a day. AzoStandard is one brand but there are many. There is an agent in cranberry that prevents bacteria
from attaching to the walls of the urinary tract. It can help prevent infections.
and is worth trying.

However, any acidic thing may interfere with physostigmine administration and elimination, so consult with your doctor on that.

As I mentioned in my response, Levaquin is more safe than others; and some folks, myself included, can tolerate Cipro.

And again: no two people with MG are going to have the same reaction to an antibiotic..similar, perhaps, but not exactly the same. While I can tolerate and have on a few occasions taken Levaquin and Cipro, you may not be able to tolerate those drugs at all.

Common sense always prevails when your doctor prescribes a drug and it affects your MG that you contact him/her immediately.

If I misled you, my apologies.

Just go to drugvictims.org and read about all the injured people from quinolones. Cipro and Levaquin are two of the most dangerous. ALL the quinolones are dangerous, period!

Thanks for the info on quinolones. Just something else to keep in mind. Although the original question had to do with which antibiotics are OK for myasthenics to take, that is, will not aggravate the symptoms of the MG, it's good to know that this particular antibiotic may be dangerous in itself, rather than in the effect it has on MG.

Sorry Nacho, but I am one who can safely take Levaquin and Cipro, so far. I have been prescribed and taken Levaquin many times for upper respiratory/sinus/UTI infections, and it works very well for me.

Only once was I prescribed...and again, safely tolerated...Cipro.

Remember that not every person with myasthenia gravis will react to medications alike, and no two doctors feel the same about "contraindicated" medications for myasthenics. Even some regional/local MG chapters may caution differently about medications. It depends on the doctor/MDA Director/MGFA, etc.

It is my opinion that any medication with serious side effects is toxic to our system. Immunosuppressants, steroids and others are like ingesting minute amounts of toxic waste, if you ask me! It's the nature of the Beast.

Sharry, I hear you loud and clear about the "minute amounts of toxic waste". When I was given steroids for the MG, not only did it provoke a crisis, but I developed every side effect known to man, and then some!
Never again!!
It's good to remember that what works for one person may not work for another.
Hugs,