Table 3 - Antimycobacterial Medications for Treatment of NTM Infections

Antibiotic Selected drug interactions with immunosuppressive medications Anticipated effect on selected agents Selected toxicities and side effects Monitoring parameters

Macrolides:

Azithromycin

Clarithromycin

 

 

CNI (cyclosporine and tacrolimus)

Sirolimus

Increased levels of immunosuppressive agent (clarithromycin with more pronounced effect)

GI (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)

Decreased hearing

Hepatitis

Clinical symptoms

Periodic LFTs during first 2-3 months

CNI and sirolimus levels

 

Rifamycins:

Rifampin

Rifabutin

CNIs 

Sirolimus

Corticosteroids

Mycophenolate

Decreased levels of immunosuppressive agent

Hepatitis

Orange discoloration of urine

GI effects

Hypersensitivity (rash, fever)

Flu-like syndrome

Hematologic (leucopenia, granulocytopenia)

Clinical symptoms

Periodic CBC, LFTs

CNI and sirolimus levels

 

Ethambutol

None

 

Optic neuritis

Periodic testing for red/green color discrimination and visual acuity

Clinical symptoms

 

Fluoroquinolones:

Ciprofloxacin

Levofloxacin

Moxifloxacin

CNI

sirolimus

Increased level of immunosuppressive medication (mild)

GI effects

Tendonitis and tendon rupture

CNS (headache, insomnia, agitation)

Photosensitivity

QT prolongation

Clinical symptoms

CNI and sirolimus levels

 

Tetracyclines:

Minocycline

Doxycycline

None

 

GI effects

Photosensitivity

Vertigo, dizziness

Increased LFTs

Clinical symptoms

 

Tigecycline

None

 

GI effects

Photosensitivity

Vertigo, dizziness

Increased LFTs

Clinical symptoms

 

Tobramycin

Amikacin

Streptomycin

CNIs 

 

Increased risk of nephrotoxicity

Nephrotoxicity

Vestibular and auditory toxicity (dizziness, vertigo, ataxia, tinnitus, hearing loss)

Clinical symptoms

Periodic serum creatinine measurements

Baseline and periodic hearing tests in high risk individuals

Isoniazid

None

 

Hepatitis

Hypersensitivity (rash, fever)

Neurotoxicity

Periodic LFTs

Clinical symptoms

 

Linezolid

No interactions with immunosuppressants

interaction with serotonergic agents (many antidepressants) can result in serotonin syndrome

 

Myelosuppressive (leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia)

Optic neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy

 

 

Periodic CBC.

Clinical symptoms

 

 

 

CNI=calcineurin inhibitor, GI=gastrointestinal, LFT=liver function tests, CBC=complete blood count