to all you antibiotic(clarithromycin, etc...)users

[davidmd305]

this message goes out to all those who are using or have used some form of antibiotic (clarithromycin, doxycycline,etc...). have any you suffered any side effects from using them (increased redness, worsening of rosacea, stomach pains, etc..)? were you using them during ipl treatment? were you using them primarily for preventing angiogenesis post-ipl (in which case, has anyone still had a large amount of angiogensis even while on them), or were you using them for some other reason (rosacea bumps, flushing, ???)? even dr. darm, from what he told me, said that he just recently began prescribing clarithromycin to inhibit angiogenesis post-ipl to LIMITED patients (in particular, those who do the concentrated treatment of 3 ipls in 1 week) since there are some dangers to using these drugs. As I understand it, the idea behind the antibiotic's effectiveness solely for inhibiting angiogensis is theoretical at this point...and no real practical (clinical) data/tests have backed up the claim. but the way it sounds on these boards is that everyone is using them like they're going out of style. do most of you make a plea to your ipl doctor to prescibe them or do they readily distribute them? so i guess before i decide if i might give them a try, i'm looking for some feedback from those actually using them (btw, if you are using them in conjunction with other meds and you don't mind mentioning those other meds, please tell). thanks to all.

[Kelli]

Alrighty - I have no problem telling you what I'm on... and figuringout a way to get off of them!

I'm on Minocycline ... AGAIN! Every Dr. i see I ask to NOT put me on antibiotics. And time after time,t hey say they won't help me unless I'm on them (in a sense that's what they're saying to me). I'm also using Clindagel once a day. Other medications I'm on - Unithroid (Hypothyroidism) and a simple prenatal vitamin (Not pregnant, just know they're excellent vitamins).

Please explain one thing to me - what is antigenisis? Or whatever that word is. I'm on antibiotics to help with my papulopustular rosacea, and it isn't working. I go in two weeks for my 5th and final IPL treatment.

[lakan]

Well, i was on Doxycycline for acne more than a year ago..and this was the first thing that made my rosacea start. My face got redder for everyday eating this but i have myself to blame to some extent too since i didnt use any sunscreen, but still, i hate this medication...

[allstar]

I took the advice of Dr, nase and others on the other board and begged my laser tech for clarythromiacin. I did not read of any dangerous side effects on the board, only postitive ones. My mistake, because I should have looked into it more. I did not know about these side affects and now I am very nervous. Guess it doesn't pay to take medical advice from the internet and not my doctor. I am going off of this drug now.

[snwbdrloco84]

Hi,

What were some of the side effects you experienced with Clarithromycin? I know a few of the more common ones are extreme fatigue and diarrhea and those side effects are heighted because clarithromycin interacts with alot of other medications. This is something you should discuss either with your doctor or pharmacist ahead of time before taking the drug. They will tell you about possible drug interactions and common side effects.

Ray

[IowaDavid]

Here is a link on side effects and interactions.

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/clarith_ad.htm


I still don't understand what the fuss is over this drug. Can someone clue me in?

David

[snwbdrloco84]

Oh, someone was wondering about the term "angiogenesis". Angiogenesis refers to the formation of new blood vessels especially after any laser or IPL treatment. What clarithromycin does is that it prevents new weaker blood vessels from forming(to a moderate degree), thus makes the treatment more successful. It is more complicated than that, but check out the rosacea yahoo support archives http://www.escribe.com/health/rosacea-support/search.html? to get more information on this.

To lakan, I feel for you dude. I got so tan because I didn't use sunscreen while on doxycycline, and you can blame the medication on that, but I knew about the main side effect of photosensitivity so I can only blame myself for not putting any on. After my tan went down I did notice some permanent redness on my face, but I knew it was my fault though. Doxycycline is a anti-bacterial/anti-inflammatory medication and most likely the side effect of the photosensitivity caused your problems not the actual drug itself. However, the high dose of accutane I was on, that was the drug itself which I believe was instrumental in making my rosacea surface around 14 years old(now im 21).

Goodluck,
Ray

[DrD]

Please note any liver side effects for many of these antibiotics. Although rare, they can and do occur. If you have any pre-existing liver issues or disease try to avoid antibiotics as a treatment option for rosacea.

[allstar]

davidmd, hi. Are you a medical doctor?