Rifampin for Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, Treatment User Reviews

• GMC...
• February 7, 2013

"Currently on rifampin therapy along with ethambutol, Zithromax, IV amikacin, and Prilosec for the MAC. Experiencing numerous side effects to include diarrhea, nausea, intermittent episodes of severe vomiting, extreme fatigue, headaches (almost all the time), dizziness, double vision, generalized body aches, and severe cramps in my extremities. It is hard to tell which drug is the culprit. I have experienced two incidents of elevated liver enzymes, which have returned back to within normal limits so far. At this point in my therapy, there has been no documented improvement, but I am told to expect it to take up to two years of therapy for a cure. I will update my experience as time progresses."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 24, 2022

"I took rifampin plus azithromycin and ethambutol for 17 months. Rifampin in the morning, then lunch later. Then the other two drugs at around 3 pm, dinner at 6. I tolerated these drugs well, had the itching, burning, wave of night sweats, but kept going. Then, a week ago, after taking the rifampin, I had a serious headache plus the wave of sweats that would not ease up. I felt dizzy, nauseous, with pain in my back and stomach. This lasted all day into the night, and I kept drinking water to flush it out. By 4 am, I felt some relief, and after communicating with the doctor, I stopped taking all the meds. My potassium level is elevated from the last blood work. Now I’m praying the MAC does not come back. I wish all of us well."

• GON...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 5, 2017

"This is my update from the previous comment; I've been on this drug, 3 150 mg caps daily, since 10/2012, with a 6-month break after 2 years, at which time I regressed and had to be restarted on it; there are side effects I listed in the previous review; my diarrhea is better; fast heart rate; currently experiencing high feelings of anxiety, intermittent fever and chills; periodic severe left side pain in the pancreas area; increased lethargy, weakness, painful joints, especially hips, knees, and finger joints; weight of 85 lbs; are newer and becoming a bit problematic, but I was advised when taken off my drugs for 6 months, that if I require restarting therapy, I would remain on them for life. I'm at the end of my 5th year now! I tend to require hospitalization each November."