Anyone else have success with Alinia?

[CShilly]

Hello all. I am C-Diff free now, for almost 1 year. My father and I both believe that we contracted C-Diff while hospitalized during seperate incidents in the same hospital. His was during Bladder surgery. Mine was during a stay for A-Fib and Congestive Heart Failure. Neither of us had ever had C-Diff symptoms, but ended up sick with C-Diff within 2 months of release from the same hospital. Watching my dad battle with it, unsuccessfully for a very long time, really scared me once I found out that I had it. I have watched him suffer for a long time with recurrences. They have tried many different antibiotics. The usual Flagly, Vanco, etc. Everytime he thinks that he has it kicked, it comes screaming back on him.

When I first went to my doctor for this, he started me with a first round of Flagyl. That worked while I was on the drug, but I had a recurrence within days of the last dose. On the first recurrence, my doctor told me that he is going "a different route" that he has been having success with. He prescribed me Alinia(Nitazoxinide). I took a ten day battery, and still had soft stool at the end of the 10 days. However, the soft stool cleared up after another week without the meds, and I have been 100% symptom free, ever since.

I am trying to get dad on the Alinia, as he is still battling this horrific bacteria. His doctor doesn't seem so convinced, as it is not approved for C-Diff treatment. I am wondering if it is the drug that helped me, or if it is simply my younger age versus him being 67. Has anyone else had success with Alinia, or is this just a fluke?

[NikaNik]

Hi, there!

So sorry to hear that both you and your dad had to deal with c diff and that your dad is still battling. Has he tried Dificid or a Dificid taper or the colonoscopy FMT?

As for Allinia, I remember reading some older posts that mentioned it (you can type it in the search bar to see which posts come up). I also came across this study that says it may be as effective as Vanco. But it's an 11-year old study before Dificid (and FMT, I believe) were options. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/19133801/

So glad to hear that you are doing well! That is fantastic. Best wishes to your dad for his healing as well.

Nikki

[beth22]

There are older posts where people have mentioned being cured with Alinia. I remember reading about it and I know at one time some doctors were using it as a "chaser" to vanco. This was before Dificid came out. Xifaxan has also been used as a chaser. I did that, but it did not work for me. I wound up having FMT. I would think that it would be worth a try, but Dificid might be a better option. Can your dad go to your doctor or do you not live close?

[georgina]

You are lucky to have a doctor that thinks outside the box , you should get you dad an appointment with you doctor . You also have to consider that Cdiff treatments,recovery,diets etc are individual so if one treatment worked for you it doesn't mean it will be successful on your father's case.

[Acres]

Hi,
After flagyl & vancomycin failed, dificid worked for me....Recovery was a long haul.....Now I am 90% like the pre - c diff me....
Scott

[mka]

Hey Scott..quick question. After you failed Flagyl and Vancomycin did you take Dificid for 14 days or do a taper. I have failed both Flagyl and Vanc and am awaiting PCR/GDH/toxin test at this time. If it's positive (which I'm sure it will be) I am unsure if I should push for a Dificid taper or just 2 weeks. Thanks so much in advance for your help. I am so ready to beat this horrible bug.

[cnatra]

I'd go for the Dificid taper

Jury is still out for me but I think it's worked

[mka]

Thanks so much! Best of luck to you!!

[cnatra]

As to the OPs question ,


http://www.mdmag.com/journals/resident- ... -infection


https://www.scripps.edu/newsandviews/e_ ... janda.html

I knew I read something about his a few months ago :)

In fact I'm going to ask my ID doc about nitazoxanide

[mka]

Very interesting!! I would love to hear what your ID physician has to say about the articles and possible use of such medications to help whose like us with recurrent C Diff. Thanks so much for sharing!

[cnatra]

NP

Tigemycin is another antibiotic I've read is being looked at.

The Nitazoxinade is supposed to be potentially better because it doesn't really disrupt good gut flora .

[amyc]

Alina has been out for a while, so it should be way cheaper than Dificid too. Maybe it can replace flagyl as the first drug of choice for C diff. A similar thing happened with MRSA when they discovered that old fashioned bactrim worked better against it than newer more expensive drugs.

[OCmama]

My daughter's ped ID mentioned it, but the adult ID had not heard of it. I hope it becomes more available!

[CShilly]

I just wanted to follow up on my original post.

I am still C-Diff free. Life is great with zero intestinal issues, going on 18 months or so.

I got my father into the same doctor that saw me, and we got him on 10-day Alinia. After two months, he has had no more symptoms.

He started with Flagyl, and then they put him on several courses of Vanco, one with a taper.

Alinia seems to be the ticket for him, as well.

[NanciT]

That's wonderful your father is finally well! Actually fantastic, its sounds like he had several relapses. As far as this drug for Giardia, I do know if a GI's who tried it on a couple of patients but both relapsed. We spoke about it after my 3rd relapse. It is specific for Giardia and it does not appear further testing has been done probably because Dificid came out after.

You are both fortunate this worked for you!


NanciT