Bronchiectasis .. very dry mouth.. Is it caused by Azithromycin?

[Phill1]

Hello (again)

Have bronchiectasis-with colonized pseudomonas.. which is well under control at the moment🤞🙏 but I am struggling with a really dry mouth -which mostly affects me at night

I don’t take any other medication or inhalers - apart from NAC & Lungwort & take Azith 250mg 3x week

Has anyone else found this a problem, found a remedy ? I’m Thinking of stopping the Azith for a week to see if it reduces 🤔

Thanks in advance

[Nula2]

Hi Phill🙋‍♀️, I use a Fostairs Inhaler (2 puffs twice a day) and I get a very dry mouth and throat, worse at night. Feel sure it's the inhaler causing it, as it starts soon after taking it xxxx

[Phill1 in reply to Nula2]

So irritating isn’t it.😠.I know inhalers can cause dry mouth but I don’t use them 🙄

[Nula2 in reply to Phill1]

I have a mouth spray from Boots the Chemist for dry mouths. Doesn't cure it but gives temporary relief. Worth a try 🤞🙂xxx

[Phill1 in reply to Nula2]

I’ll look into it .. thanks

[Swizzy]

All of our antibiotics and inhalers cause dry mouth. I took azith for 5 yrs until a heart condition stopped me. As azithromycin is such a valuable med for your lungs I suggest that it is better to alleviate the dryness than stop the drug. Biotene mouthwash and biotene gel are very good and J'm sure others will have suggestions.

[Dottie11 in reply to Swizzy]

I agree with Swizzy. I suffer from dry mouth and have Sjogrens plus Bronch. I take my azthromycin and use Biotene mouthwash. AT night dryness can be worse some of us slip into mouth breathing and can make worse. A small cup and sip of Biotene, swish an spit into cup. I line cup with a tissue so to avoid spills. Inhalers dry mouth. Good luck. xx

[Phill1 in reply to Dottie11]

I’ll give it a go

Thanks

[Jack70 in reply to Swizzy]

If the azithromicin caused heart condition I would leave them on there box. These Doctors throw these things like toffee when they have no clue of side affects or long term side effects.

[Swizzy in reply to Jack70]

It isn't known that the azith caused my heart condition. The AF and dilated cardiomyopathy which I have run in my family but anybody with those conditions shouldn't take azith.

[Phill1 in reply to Swizzy]

Thanks for reply.. certainly wasn’t intending to stop them all altogether.. just wanted to see if they were the cause ..& if not, what is 🤔

Plus have read on this site that some of us bronchs stop Azith over the summer period

( Don’t think I’d take that risk though)

[Swizzy in reply to Phill1]

Yes some bronchs do stop over the summer. It depends what their bronch specialist thinks. We are all so different as you can tell from your replies.

[Dottie11 in reply to Phill1]

I have had both. A full year on Aza and other years Nov-April months. Depends on how I am doing.

[O2Trees]

I have bronch but it's apparently termed functional bronchiectasis as it has never given me problems (tempting fate here I know!). I take Azithromycin x3 weekly and don't have a dry mouth.

My first thought which may of course not be right was that perhaps the colonised pseudomonas is under control precisely because you are taking the azithromycin. I would be wary of stopping it in case the pseudomonas were to react and cause trouble.

[Phill1 in reply to O2Trees]

Hi ..I do agree with you.. was just wondering to stop it for s a week & see if Azith was causing it .. (but am a bit reluctant )

[copd101 in reply to Phill1]

Can you eat a lot of watermelon? Will that help? To get more fluids into your body?

[Phill1 in reply to copd101]

Oooo that sounds like a good idea 👍

[Alberta56]

I take azith and it doesn't give me a dry mouth.

[Phill1 in reply to Alberta56]

👍

[Bevvy]

I get an extremely dry mouth due to different medications. Dry mouth to the point where drinking doesn’t relieve it!

Following suggestions by my pharmacist I now buy Salivix dry mouth pastilles and find those very helpful.

[Phill1 in reply to Bevvy]

Will get some .. thanks

[Ern007]

I don't like Azithromycin it made me very sick for days, I did not notice a dry mouth. Inhalers can cause dry mouth, I take false salava for that.

[Phill1 in reply to Ern007]

Thanks👍

[Dottie11 in reply to Ern007]

My Clenil fro Asthma is awful for sending my mouth dry. xx

[Ern007 in reply to Dottie11]

My worst is Atrovent. good spray, dry mouth.xx

[Tinker26]

I take az but no probs x

[Phill1 in reply to Tinker26]

👍

[Petetriplet]

hi,I have been using inhalers since I was 21 when asthma returned to haunt me. My medical people advised me to always rinse my mouth after use. This would stop a ‘ thrush’ build up in my throat. I need frequent steroid n Doxycycline as rescue packs. I am 69 yrs now. From what I have read a lot of you guys suffer more than I. When I am breathless I feel rock bottom. Lack of O2 and certainly lack of energy. Awaiting spirometry and appt at local respiratory clinic - best wishes

[Phill1 in reply to Petetriplet]

Not using inhalers so not sure what’s causing it.. 🙄Hope you get a positive outcome too your appt🤞

[PaulineHM]

Hi, I take Azithromycin alternate days and have done so for last 8 years ( I have ACOS not Bronchiectasis)

I do sometimes have a dry mouth at night but feel this is more likely to be due to sleeping with my mouth open, which from time to time has been a problem for a long while.

To change this I have sometimes used micropore to tape my mouth shut at night which helps me breathe through the nose.

Have you noticed if you breathe through the mouth during the day ? Many people do but aren't aware of it.

Hope you find a resolution soon.

Go well

Pauline

[Phill1 in reply to PaulineHM]

Certainly worth a try .. thanks🤞😁

[Phill1 in reply to PaulineHM]

Tried a thin strip of the micropore tape last night …and it did help 👍😁 .. will have another go tonight..

[PaulineHM in reply to Phill1]

Yay !! thats good to know. I think it is very easy to get into the habit of mouth breathing so some regular use of micropore will possibly help.

Go well.

Pauline

[ChilledoutNana]

Since being diagnosed with mild bronchiectasis (I am also asthmatic and take Fostair twice daily) I’ve had a dry mouth. Following advice from a lung specialist I always rinse my mouth out after using Fostair and use Salivax pastilles. It helps but doesn’t alleviate the problem so at night I use chewing gum (tucked in upper gum) which promotes saliva production. Also, I get Salivax on prescription.

[Phill1 in reply to ChilledoutNana]

Can get them from Amazon also .. will give them a go .. thanks

[Dottie11 in reply to Phill1]

Ricola good too. A range of flavours. Suger free Peppersmith mints also.

[LissacFrance]

it could be linked to Azithro, but I would not stop before asking your consultant. Chris

[Phill1 in reply to LissacFrance]

Agree.. thanks 👍

[Lutontown]

I found Azithromycin caused me to have a terrible ulcerated mouth. My mum had ulcers in her mouth, so I think it's hereditary. I stopped that AB immediately, but also found that NSaids and an inclusion in most toothpastes, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, can also cause ulcers if you are prone to them. It's a job to find toothpaste without SLS, but I do find it. Anyway, I still tend to have a dry mouth. I'm on loads of medication, so could be any one of them, or it could be an old age thing.

[Phill1 in reply to Lutontown]

Thanks for reply.. I use SLS free toothpaste already as has sore mouth last year.. sadly not making much difference at the moment though

[Dottie11 in reply to Phill1]

I have to be careful not to eat much chocolate as will gets ulcers. Cannot touch citrus , wine or spirits either.

[Phill1 in reply to Dottie11]

Thanks.. don’t eat / or drink too much of the above but will try cutting out completely for a while.. as I have sore as well as dry mouth

[Dottie11 in reply to Phill1]

Have a look at Gengigel. I use the gel but find the spray good at night. Any sore spots I give it a quick spray and find this product very good. I have tried a lot in my years and this is my go to every time. Good luck.

[Dottie11 in reply to Lutontown]

Agree Nsaids give me mouth ulcers.

[Karenanne61]

I'm on azithromycin 3 x week. No dry mouth.

[Phill1 in reply to Karenanne61]

👍

[spinonemum]

Hi there I suffer with a really dry mouth too at night. I bought some Oralieve Dry Mouth Moisturising Spray which I keep by my bed. When I wake up through the night I can just have a spray and it really helps.

Best wishes

[Phill1 in reply to spinonemum]

Will give it a go .. thanks

[watergazer]

hi. I have bronchiectasis/asthma and I take fostairnexthaler. I too suffer from dry mouth during the night. I just have a sip of water at the moment when I wake. X

[Phill1 in reply to watergazer]

👍

[ilos]

I find Fisherman's Friend lozenges very helpful.

[glamor]

Hi every one. Sorry I do not suffer from dry mouth and therefore have nothing to add. I do however have NTM Kansasii as well as bronchiectasis. The treatment is three very potent high dosage anti biotics three days a week for a minimum of 12 months. The drugs cause many side effects such as neuropathy, reflux, tinnitus, teeth staining and nausea. I have all of these. As My lungs are damaged already, I have to take these nasty drugs. I am hoping that somebody reading this might have the same health problems or perhaps know somebody who does. NTM is a rare condition and I think it would help me to connect with others. Thank you to anyone taking the time to read my post.