so many new drugs

[ej0820]

OK, I am now on a whole bunch of meds for the first time. Bactrim, Zyvoxx, Azithromycin, Amikacin, and Sporonox. Has anyone ever been on a combo like this before? I'm just a little worried about side effects and stuff. I'm also a little worried how things will be for me in a month because I had to stop my zoloft (and can't take any other antidepressants) because of serious side effects that could occur with the Zyvoxx. Has anyone had to completely stop their antidepressants for another med? How did you feel a while afterwards...has anyone experienced any bad side effects with any of these drugs, or combonation of these drugs?

thanks

 

[kybert]

youll be right. just make sure they check your liver regularly. as for the zoloft i cant help you there.

 

[coltsfan715]

Hi Erin,

I have not been on that combination of drugs before no - but I also don't need to be at present - mainly speaking of the Amikacin and the Sporonox. I have however taken Bactrim - with no problems, Azithromycin - with no problems, and Zyvox - with no problems.

The only ones I have taken at the same time were Zithromax and Zyvox and I never had any problems that were caused by the two of those.

As for not being able to take depression meds while on another med YES and NO. I have never really taken anything for depression but was have a VERY hard time with my last hospital stay (with depression and anxiety) they wanted to prescribe me an SSRI, but said I could not take it because of the possible interactions between Zyvox and the SSRI. Whatever the interaction between the 2 is (I don't really understand the mechanics of it) it can cause a toxic level of seratonin in your system according to my docs and the psych at our local hospital. THAT is why they do not want you to take it.

I will say they offered to put me on ANOTHER antidepressant type med that was NOT an SSRI. I chose not to take it because of the effects on my blood sugar - as I am diabetic. I just wanted to put that out there in case you find that you need SOMETHING and just can't make it through the day you may want to ask your doc because there are things they can give you.

Also maybe you can speak with a therapist to help with those feelings while you are off the meds. I will say I have started therapy rather than go the drug route with my anxiety/depression issues for this exact reason. I am on Zyvox frequently and would probably only be able to take an SSRI for a 2-3 months and then would have to take a month long break or something. I was going to need to learn to manage the issues I was having WITHOUT meds for at least a quarter of the year, so why put myself through the rollercoaster and anxiety of not being able to take the meds. I hope that makes sense.

If you are going to be taking Zyvox on a regular basis with hospital stays you may want to talk to someone about changing your antidepressant and see if there is something that you would be able to take regardless of the IV meds you were taking - that way you are not having to continually start and stop the med. Just a thought.

I am sure you will be fine with that drug combination. Just talk to the nurse and the doc and make them aware you are nervous and ask what signs and symptoms you should look for if you were to have an allergic reaction. I did the same thing with my last hospital stay a I was starting a new med - they were great about it - the nurse even checked on me more frequently the first few days to make sure nothing was going wrong with the meds.

Take Care and hope you get to feeling better soon.
Lindsey

 

[CowTown]

Hi Erin,

Out of the meds you've mentioned, I've taken Azithromycin and Amikacin, but not together. I'm on Azithromycin right now with other drugs and I haven't had any problems (knock on wood). With Amikacin, one common issue is ringing in the ears and or hearing issues. So I can only say to keep a close eye on your ears! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I have permanent ringing in my ears b/c of amikacin, it's not all that bad but it's there. And like Kylie said, have your doctors keep close track of your liver. It's a good chance that you won't have any side effects, but I would think the best thing to do is to stay aware of your body while taking these meds. I hope you feel better soon!

 

[Diane]

Hi Erin,
I am on Sporonox now , and just got off of Amikacin. This round of iv's was the first time i was ever on Amikacin and toward the third week of being on it i started to notice decreased hearing in my left ear so i stopped it early ( after calling my cf nurse about it). I dont know what Zyvox is so i cant comment on that, but i have taken Bactrim and Zithromax before with no bad effects. The Bactrim does give me headaches but they are manageable.

 

[jbrandonAW]

I take azythomicin m/w/f like religion, and I am on bactrium quite often... no problems yet. I also take zoloft. But I've never been on the others before. Do you knwo why they put you on them?