Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Azithromycin
Azithromycin (Zithromax) Is an antibiotic with
immunomodulatory factors used to treat mild to moderate infections such as
bronchitis, pneumonia, sexually transmitted diseases and others. Azithromycin is
effective against chlamydiae pneumoniae, mycoplasma pneumoniae, streptococcus
pneumoniae and others. Appears to have antiviral properties as well.
Amantadine's ability to cross the blood:brain barrier makes it a potentially
important drug in fighting central nervous system infection.
Azithromycin May Work in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
Because it may dampen down an overactive immune system and/or it may
fight a bacterial infection or possibly a viral infection. Some chronic fatigue
syndrome patients are reported to have chlamydiae and mycoplasma infections and
some researchers believe undetected central nervous system infections play an
important role in the disease.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Studies. One small
study (10 patients) suggested that azithromycin’s effectiveness was strongly
tied to levels of the amino acid acetylcarnitine; 77% of azithromymcin
recipients with plasma acetylcarnitine levels lower than 4.1 uM improved, 58%
with levels between 4.1 and 6.5 uM and 31% with levels higher than 3.1 uM.
Improvement was assessed as being ‘out of the range of the previous fluctuations
of symptoms’. The researchers suggested azithromycin’s efficacy was due either
to its antibacterial effects or by reducing immune activity probably in the
glial cells that protect the neurons in brain.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Doctors Report - Dr.
DeMeirleir reported that both he and Dr. Nicholson have positive results with
Azithromycin.
Side Effects: Azithroymycin (Zithromax) is generally
well tolerated. Most side effects are gastrointestinal in nature and include
nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Serious allergic reactions and
jaundice are rare but can occur.
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Vermeulen, R. and H. Sholte. 2006. Azithromycin in
chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): an analysis of clinical data. Journal of
Translational Medicine 4: 43.
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/zithromaxsusp.htm
The Phoenix Rising website is compiled by a layman. It is
not a substitute for a
physician and is for informational uses only. It does not present complete
information on this drug. Please discuss any treatments
in these pages with your doctor.