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.
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.
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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