Help

[Lhasa3]

Hi Everyone, I'd appreciate any help re. Azithromycin 250 mg capsules which is to help with excess mucus that I am unable to bring up, I have being taking it 3/days/week for 5 weeks now, at first I had really crampy stomach pains, which eased, but now I find this last week my mouth has become unbearably dry, it's even difficult to swallow. Iv'e tried several things but nothing helps, I feel they have helped with the mucus and less coughing etc., but I won't be able to tolerate this side effect, has anyone else experienced this?

[Superzob]

Given that azithromycin is an antibiotic (bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/azithr..., I would be a little surprised if it were prescribed for mucous production without there being some indication of an underlying infection. Carbocysteine is normally prescribed for thinning mucous and montelukast for mucous over-production, particularly for asthmatics. I find the latter makes me tired, so I use N-acetyl cysteine, which is available from health stores.

You might consider having a word with your GP to find out why azithromycin was prescribed and whether an alternative might be more suitable.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Superzob]

I'm not sure about mucus production specifically, but add-on azithromycin is now an option recommended in guidelines for some patients with asthma. This is as a maintenance treatment for asthma, not as an antibiotic for infections.

This recommendation is following research that azithromycin has anti-inflammatory properties. A recent study found it can reduce the number of exacerbations and improve quality of life in both eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic asthma.

It does seem to be especially effective for people who produce a lot of mucus with their asthma, so this may be why Lhasa3 is on it - if it's tackling the underlying reason for mucus production.

I'm not on it sorry Lhasa3 and can't help with this side effect! Hopefully others can. If it's really unbearable you may need to ask your doctor (specialist? or GP) for an alternative option.

[grannygreen]

I take this medication 6 months on and 6 off over the winter period .. I was told it was a low dose antibiotic to help ward off infection. I take carbocysteine for mucus relief

[Celie1]

Hi, I’m taking the Azithromycin too. I’ve been on it for 3 weeks, 3 times a week.

I’m not going to be much help here, as I haven’t had any side effects so far I don’t think. I get a dry mouth anyway with the antihistamines so it’s difficult to tell. Is it definitely the Azithromycin? It seems a long time to be taking them for side effects to appear now 🤷🏻‍♀️. Hope it’s a temporary thing anyway, as it’s working for you. 🤞

My cough doesn’t seem to be going away, but maybe I need to be more patient, but my shortness of breath has improved. My nurse said it could take up to 6 months for it to help with the inflammation.

Good luck