Effects of Rifampin

I started 300mg of Rifampin on 3/6 before supper. the next day(3/7) I had troubled breathing, felt sick all over, felt I was drowning. I thought it was normal because that day I went out and did little bit of jogging as the climate was good. On 3/7 also I took the medicine felt the same the next day. Also I was working with the adjustment to the thyroid medication, so I thought its normal. On 3/8 did not take Rifampin, the next day also felt shortness of breath. From 3/9 I am taking it regularly with Minocycline 100mg before supper and Azithromycin, Plaquenil after supper. Was able to breath but all these days I am just feeling sick, weak all over, started pain the left shoulder blade, lower abdominal pain.

On Tuesday (3/16) and the next day  I took  600mg of Rifampin. I am not able to take breath at all. Sick all over, low grade fever since 5 or 6 days, metallic taste,irritable and mild depression. Let me know if this is normal or am I having reaction to this medication.

I called my LLMD this morning and waiting for the response.

Thank you.

[JackieCalifornia]

Sorry, I haven't any experience with those medications, but calling your MD was the right thing to do.  Did you read the package insert that came with medication to see what is considered a serious reaction/side effect?  I would keep trying the MD's office and tell them what symptoms you are having and how severe they are.  Let us know what you hear back.  Best wishes --

[healthy2009]

Got a call from the LLMD office, just to know that they did not follow up with my LLMD about my condition today but will follow up on Monday. Got an advice that I should stop taking Rifampin until Monday.

[JackieCalifornia]

Well, at least they called you back ... sigh.

Take care of yourself over the weekend, hope you're feeling better soon.  Let us know what happens.

[sue12399]

daughter has lyme x18 yrs...began treatment for bart with rifampin and made her very sick...2 yrs later had elbow replacement that got infected and doc wanted to treat with rifampin...told him she had issues with rx previously but he gave it to her anyway...she got very sick right away and finally began to code...good thing she was already in hospital...ended up in ICU x2 weeks...very close call...BE CAREFUL WITH RIFAMPIN

[22dreams]

Sage advice to stop taking a med while you are waiting to hear from your doc.

I haven't had that experience with Rifampin. When I took it last year, it did make me significantly dizzy. It definitely was doing something to address the Bartonella and/or lyme.

As a herx, I broke out in a Quarter-sized or larger solid red rash on my thigh, and very light but so-called typical bartonella rash (lines, sort of stretch mark looking) that was a little itchy.

Oddly enough, one rash passed within a matter of 1/2 hour the other one came and went for a few days, was barely visible really, and then disappeared altogether.

An adverse reaction like you had could be an intolerance(allergy).
However, shortness of breath is definitely indicated as one of the side-effects of the drug itself. I hope your doctor has better answers. Let us know how it goes with your Md on Monday.