Antibiotics with MG
 

Hi Guys,
Im writing because my doctor that treated my Myasthenia retired a couple of years ago and since I've had MG since childhood and its more or less stable I havent consulted a specialist.I do have a neurologist specializing in Migraine and a primary doctor who know of my health issues.My problem is a recent prolonged chest infection.I was treated with antibiotics ,then steriods,breathing treatments,inhalers etc,etc.Today I went to PULMONARY specialist who took All my info including allergies and the list of medications that Myasthenics should not have.Then she prescribed Levoquin.Luckily I came home and checked the internet.That drug came up immediatley as a deriative of Quinine which I always
learned(for 40 yrs) was a big NO.When I called this to her attention she re-prescibed Z-pak which I'm still not sure about. Can some one tell me,have they taken either one of these antiobiotics and their Myasthenia was unaffected?
Sorry to be so long winded----Thank you for any help.

Hi
 

Ive just checked the manual for the health care provider - published by the MGFA.

Z-Pack, also known as azithromycin is a use with caution drug. Some people with MG can be absolutely fine with it others will experience an exacerbation of myasthenic symptoms. So you can take it but the minute you feel that your MG is getting worse call your Dr.

I took clarithromycin a couple of weeks ago and it really didn't agree with me. My MG got much worse very quickly. So Im guessing if it has that effect with me thats the reaction you should be looking out for. I have ptosis which resolves with mestinon. Whilst on the antibiotics it wouldn't resolve, even when I upped the mestinon dose.

Z-pack, clarithromycin and erythromycin are what is called Macrolides and are known to exacerbate some people with MG symptoms.

It actually states in the MGFA manual that these antibiotics will produce a worsening of myasthenic weakness in most patients who recieve them.

I hope this helps.

Love
Rach

Levoquin.. So far is the only antibiotic I can take, {although it causes me muscle pain} any other antibiotic has made my MG bad or has put me in hosp with allergic reaction. The one to stay far, far away from is Ketek.. that is very very bad for those with MG and I learned that the hard way!

All antibiotics can have problems with any portion of the general population. I have used sulfa drugs for years then became allergic. Levaquin was used by me a couple of times then it almost destroyed my Achilles tendons.

It is not unusual that drugs end up on a caution list for MG just because there are a couple (or even one) bad reactions with MG patients. They may have reacted anyway, with or without MG. For the most part, drug caution lists are not based on controlled studies. They are largely anecdotal in nature.

Bill

Hi and welcome.

There is one exception to the "anecdotal rule," however, Bill: Ketek a.k.a. Telithromycin. NO ONE with MG should take it under any circumstances. It has a black box warning to that effect.

Like everyone said, some people can tolerate some antibiotics and others can't. I cannot handle erythromycin at all. I'm fine with Clarithromycin (Biaxin) and Azithromycin (Z-Pak).

The important thing is to get rid of the infection so that your MG doesn't get worse from that! I hope you do get to feeling better. Report any new weakness to your doctor.

Annie

I've been treated twice for bronchitis with Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid without problem for my MG.
Maurice.

Welcome to the group! I have no problems taking Z-Pak. I hope you do well on one of the antibiotics and you start feeling better. Take care.;)

Hugs,
Pat

Levoquin put me in ICU
 

I had a bad bladder infection last year and was prescribed levoquin. Unfortunately, my breathing was also being affected by mg at the time and I did't do the research before I took the levoquin. 2 days later I collapsed at work (unable to breathe in) and went by ambulance to ER and ended up in ICU for 4 days until breathing stabilized. Fortunately, IVIG did the trick and I didn't have to be intubated.

I now have levoquin on my list of allergies and will never take it again.

But as everyone has said, everyone is different. Just be aware, it can affect your breathing.