Using Droxycycline for treating COPD

[mon-70]

Hi everybody ! I am new entrant here and COPD patient. As my attending Palmocologist prescribed Droxycycline of 100 mg twice a day for atleast one year besides acting bronchodilator and corticosteroid inhalers. My apprehension is that whether side effects of antibiotic may cause serious problems. The doctor is reluctant to answer all my questions.

[cofdrop-UK]

Hi mon,

I haven’t got copd but do have bronchiectasis and asthma, so my comments will only refer to Doxycycline.

If someone with bronchiectasis’ sputum sample suggests they are growing a bug which is sensitive to Doxy, then in the main they would be prescribed 100mg twice a day for 14 days. I have heard of people with other respiratory conditions being prescribed them 100mg for 7 or 14 days.

Doxycycline has occasionally been used as a prophylactic i.e. used daily in a small dose to damp down bugs they are colonised with. There are much more commonly used abs as prophylactic. Doxy is very useful to treat active infections.

Seems on the face of it taking such a high dose for that length of time a bit heavy handed but I am certainly no medic but I would defo want some answers from this doc if I were you.

Please remember whilst you are taking them that they are photosensitive and you must protect yourself in the sun.

2nd opinion maybe!

Love cx

[mon-70 in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Thks, cofdrop-uk for your helpful suggestion. I will definitely enquire about the prolonged use of Doxycycline in my next visit. I wonder any body else know anything in this matter.

[Bkin]

My guess is you are not a resident of UK if you are you could phone the BLF helpline. If you are not resident in UK I would suggest you contact the Lung Foundation in the country you reside.

best wishes

[mon-70 in reply to Bkin]

Thanks for the advice. Yes I live in India.

[Poeme]

Hi, I’m new here too - welcome! I have moderate emphysema and am on Incruse daily and have Ventolin for emergencies. I take prednisone and Droxycycline in order for me to commence them at the first sign of a cold. I can’t comment on what your pulmonologist has directed - but I don’t blame you for being concerned. It does seems excessive - and the last thing we want is a further-compromised immune system. I hope that you have answers very soon.. All the best

[Bkin in reply to Poeme]

Welcome Poeme - check back with your doctor, you should have been given an information leaflet with your emergency pack of doxy and preds describing when to take them. You don't take them at first sign of a cold, they are to treat in the main lung infections. Please do check again with your doctor or respiratory nurse.

[Poeme in reply to Bkin]

Thanks so much for your welcome and reply. My colds always go straight to my chest so I suppose that’s why I’ve been told to to take them at the first sign. I actually don’t - I wait a while to see how I’m going. I don’t have have a respiratory nurse but would love that extra support. Thanks again for your reply- much appreciated

[mon-70]

Thanks Poeme for your response. It’s my fault not to express fully regarding my intention. My symptoms of COPD was detected in 2015 and I was under conventional treatment of LABA, LAMA & ICS inhalers. So ,as per suggestion of a Pulmocare & Research Institute, now

I am a volunteer for one year phase, randomised, open, parallel group to know the role of doxycycline in treatment of Chronic obstructive airway disease.

As per my Patient Information Sheet, their Primary objectives: 1) To see the change in FEV1 and CAT score after 6 mths, one yr or more of add on doxycycline therapy for COPD.

2) To see the tolerability and toxicity of the doxycycline in treating COPD on long term basis.

There are also secondary objectives of changing the quality of life, assessment of the presence of different co- morbidities and others.

According to the doctor of the group :

For some peculiar non antibiotic property, Doxycycline has been used for long term(months and years) in different indication with excellent result. They have also noticed encouraging results on using the same as long term without much side effects which are commonly restricted to gastrointestinal; dyspepsia, heart burn, nausea and rarely skin rash and reduction in platelet count like changes. Exposure to sun rays should be minimum.

The usual dose is 100 mg once or twice a day.

Now my intention is to know whether any other patient of this beautiful group is going through same type of treatment and his experience in this regard so that the claim of the said group can be validated.

Thank u again for the enquiry.

[cofdrop-UK]

I have heard of people with lung conditions being prescribed doxy 100mg once a day when used as a prophylactic but twice a day would be used as a treatment. Gastrointestinal problems shouldn’t be taken lightly. I suffer with them as I have had antibiotics all my life and they are very problematic. I hope you get some answers from those running the trial. They couldn’t do the trial if it weren’t for people volunteering and owe you a duty of care to answer your questions. I assume you can withdraw at any time and to mention that might just concentrate their minds into being more transparent with you.

Good luck

Cx