Rifampin/ Clarithromycin - important caution

[Kyzteke]

@ponygirl;5608995

I got a call from a close friend who is a foaling attendant at a couple of TB farms in KY. She pulled out a bottle of one of the drugs mentioned above and right on the bottle it has a huge red warning label describing all of the side effects. Do the vets who prescribe these drugs not understand what it is they are prescribing? If a MD did this and the result was an adverse outcome a lawsuit would of been quick to happen.

I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss. It’s just tragic.

Actually, this is an interesting question.

I seldom have had an MD warn me about side-effects of any med unless I asked specifically. Most of the time it’s the pharmacist who does this.

That’s why you get that big bundle of paperwork everytime you get your meds.

As a RN, every time we got a new pt. into long term care or a skilled nursing facility, we would routinely review their meds, since most older folks are WAY overmedicated (by their multiple doctors). We had a pharmacist on call of just this purpose.

I remember once we had a woman come in for “end of life” care – they thought she had afew more weeks at best. Couldn’t walk, barely talked, etc.

Turns out she was on routine Digoxin, hadn’t had a blood level done in YEARS. Dig can be toxic as hell – took her off that and about 80% of the rest of her meds.

In less than a month she was up walking (with a walker), talking…lived another year+ with a pretty good quality of life.

[Kyzteke]

@florida foxhunter;5608776

After reading this thread yesterday, I had to go visit an older aunt in Alabama and took lots of magazines to read. I read the latest “the horse” AAEP wrapup which had a big article on Rhodococcus (printed largely for vets). It didn’t mention any of the side effects talked about on this thread! It did talk about medicine protocol and the use of Rifampin with the other antibiotic combinations…
That is very unfortunate. Perhaps someone should write a letter to the editor and ask them to be sure this issue is exposed well!!!

I totally agree!!

Think about how many lives it could save.

Mary Lou – here is another way for you to show your little guy’s life was not lost in vain.

[ponygirl]

@Kyzteke;5609114

Actually, this is an interesting question.

I seldom have had an MD warn me about side-effects of any med unless I asked specifically. Most of the time it’s the pharmacist who does this.

That’s why you get that big bundle of paperwork everytime you get your meds.

As a RN, every time we got a new pt. into long term care or a skilled nursing facility, we would routinely review their meds, since most older folks are WAY overmedicated (by their multiple doctors). We had a pharmacist on call of just this purpose.

I remember once we had a woman come in for “end of life” care – they thought she had afew more weeks at best. Couldn’t walk, barely talked, etc.

Turns out she was on routine Digoxin, hadn’t had a blood level done in YEARS. Dig can be toxic as hell – took her off that and about 80% of the rest of her meds.

In less than a month she was up walking (with a walker), talking…lived another year+ with a pretty good quality of life.

I guess I’m just somewhat having an eye opening experience right now with the lack of knowledge a vet has in a drug used for a life threatening illness in an area where that illness is common.

[sfstable]

[QUOTE=ponygirl;5609140]
I guess I’m just somewhat having an eye opening experience right now with the lack of knowledge a vet has in a drug used for a life threatening illness in an area where that illness is common.[/QUOTE]

And there in lies the problem/question, essentially most equine vets serve in the capacity of a “primary care” doctor (to use human terms) not a “specialist”. Think of the vast knowledge and new information that exists in this day and age. How can one person really be proficient in everything equine ?

I think one lesson that should be taken by everyone out of this tragedy is to do some research on the side effects / precautions on any new pharmaceutical to be given to your horses, animals, family, etc. And fortunately with the internet, much easier than it used to be.

Maybe a new “sticky” catagory could be added by the MODS for pharmaceutical / medical precautions.

[ponygirl]

I’d buy that if this wasn’t common but it’s common in the area.

It’s also very common in KY where my friend is and they are well versed in the drug(s) as well as the side effects etc, etc.

I dunno… it’s so tragic and yet so avoidable… :no:

I pray the Mods sticky this so all of us can educate each other regardless to who we are- owners, vets, etc, etc.