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Stop taking MAC treatments?

My fiance has been diagnosed with non-tuberculosis mycobacterium infection. His nodules were very small. For the past year he has taken three antibiotic to treat the MAC. He feels the same - in other words, he's no worse. No sputum or blood tests have been done. Each time he gets his prescriptions, they run about $180 with insurance. We want to know what might happen if he were to stop taking these medicines. He does have an appointment coming up with his treating physician. Thanks
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Avatar universal
Thank you. No new scans have been done, and we don't know whether the doctor wants a sputum test or what. We read that the sputum test could come out negative for MAC, but that the doctor would continue to treat with antibiotics for an additional six months. Naturally, we're hoping for a negative result from any test.

I will post his results and treatment plan following his appointment this week.

Thanks again. We appreciate your expertise.
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi, in general, MAC infection is treated with 2 or 3 antimicrobials for at least 12 months. Commonly used first-line drugs include macrolides. If he takes irregular therapy or if he stops therapy, the organism may develop resistance to the conventional antibiotics and he will need higher antibiotics to tackle the infection. So, please follow  up with your doctor, and complete the course as prescribed by your doctor. Regards.
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