What is the short-term rifalazil treatment on carotid atherosclerosis and intima media thickness all about?

by Jenna

QUESTION: I heard that there are some effects of short-term rifalazil treatment on carotid atherosclerosis and intima media thickness. Does it really work?



ANSWER: Hi Jenna,

First, let me tell you that rifalazil is an antibiotic drug, used to treat infections caused by Chlamydia. As it is an intra-cellular microorganism, studies have postulated that it can induce the Chlamydia-accelerated atherosclerosis.

Therefore, experimental studies have been carried out to determine whether Rifalazil treatment could also treat this type of atherosclerosis because of the effect of this drug that can assimilate the microorganism inside the atherosclerotic plaque.

So far, there are promising results; however, it might need to be "human-proven" although only few studies have been carried.

Dr.Alba