Azithromycin for bronchiectasis

[Treed12]

Ive just had my long awaited bronchoscopy results. Apparently from my lung wash they were unable to complete their tests. I was informed it was a 42 day wait but at day 37 it hadnt worked. Whatever that means! I was quite relieved they're not redoing the bronchoscopy as it was horrible! But im being prescribed Azithromycin 3 times a week long term. Is anyone familiar with this antibiotic? Does it work or help ease symptoms? Or have any nasty side effects, as im becoming quite sensitive to some antibiotics. Thank you 😊

[Hidden]

Is good antibiotic .. I had it for 7 days a week NOW that should of never been done AS it caused me to have serious heart issues

If I was to go back on it WOULD be 3 days

[Darceydoo]

Hi I was diagnosed with COPD usual inhalers constant chest infections every 6 weeks usual steroids antibiotics. I’ve been on Az since April 2019 after two weeks of taking it no more coughing mucus which was constant every day and had been for nearly 5 yrs. Went to see Resp Dr no COPD and that’s down to the Az has cleared my lungs of inflammation. All I’m noticing is that I’m aching which I will mention when I goto see Resp Dr end of Aug.

[joyce74 in reply to Darceydoo]

They are working well for me. Been taking them since last November, no chest infections since and no longer take the dreaded Prednisolone. Hope they do the same for you.

[Hidden]

I’ve been on it for a few years 3x a week. No side effects and cross fingers I’ve not had an exacerbation in many months!

[Bella395]

Treed12 - if you use the search box, top right of the page you will find a lot of posts about Azithromycin. Many people find it helpful. It isn't effective for pseudomonas aeruginosa which some people with bronchiectasis become colonized with.

[Neville33 in reply to Bella395]

Only 30/40 percent do

[Danielmystar]

I'm on it just over a year think it was April 2018 I'm on one a day 7 days a week it helps me alot

[Hacienda]

Yes Hun, it is the Best Antibiotic, Been taking it for 3 years , One for 3 days a week. Don't get Chest infections since taking them. Maintain a Good Diet & Exercise every day. Best Wishes, C. XXX

[jamorro]

I’ve been on Azithromycin since 2006 and have had very few exacerbations. Not sure about side effects as I’m growing old. But it stopped the constant infections - one a month. Exercise is the must do for any form of COPD. Without regular exercise my lungs deteriorate. I go to a gym 3x a week and have a regular trainer who knows about COPD and it works. My recovery time from being out of breath has more than halved.

[Neville33 in reply to jamorro]

How often do u take Azithromyacine, daily or 3 x a week???

[jamorro in reply to Neville33]

3x a week. Beware doctors who want to take you off it because they don’t like the idea of taking antibiotics all the time.

[santisuk]

Extract from British Thoracic Society Guidelines for Bronchiectasis in Adults

"Recommendations

➢➢ Consider long term antibiotics in patients with bronchiectasis

who experience three or more exacerbations per year. (A)

➢➢ In these patients, the following are recommended (see figure 2

and appendix 2 and 3)

P. aeruginosa colonised patients

a. Use inhaled colistin for patients with bronchiectasis and

chronic P. aeruginosa infection. (B)

b. Consider inhaled gentamicin as a second line alternative

to colistin for patients with bronchiectasis and chronic P.

aeruginosa infection. (B)

c. Consider azithromycin or erythromycin as an alternative

(eg, if a patient does not tolerate inhaled antibiotics) to

an inhaled antibiotic for patients with bronchiectasis and

chronic P. aeruginosa infection. (B)

d. Consider azithromycin or erythromycin as an additive

treatment to an inhaled antibiotic for patients with bronchiectasis

and chronic P. aeruginosa infection who have a

high exacerbation frequency. (D)

Non- P. aeruginosa colonised patients

e. Use azithromycin or erythromycin for patient with bronchiectasis.

(A)

f. Consider inhaled gentamicin as a second line alternative

to azithromycin or erythromycin. (B)

g. Consider doxycycline as an alternative in patients intolerant

of macrolides or in whom they are ineffective. (C)"

[My emphasis in bold]

So if you are experiencing three or more exacerbations a year, your medics are right to be considering long term antibiotics (ie taken regularly whether you have an infection or not). If you have a bug other than pseudomonas aeruginosa then azithromycin is the way to go.

I virtually never show bugs in my sputum so I am pretty much in the same position as you, not knowing analyitcally which specific antibi is best. My broncheictasis specialist at Papworth therefore put me on Azithromycin 3x a week three years ago and it has been a godsend. My last infection was September last year so looks like I am down to one or less a year now having started with 3-5 a year.

A few people on here do report that they had to discontinue due to side effects, but the overwhelming majority have been as enthusiastic as me in postings on this topic that I have observed.

PS - through experience I have determined that amoxycilllin+clavulanic acid is the best bug targeting antibi for me if I do get an infection (or levafloxacin if my pulmo suspects pneumonia). It has been a process of trial and error. I still take my 3x per week azithy and overlay it with the targetting antibi if I have an infection. I have seen debate on here about whether to stop the azith when taking a targetting antibi, but I think I'm right in saying that most of the experienced posters that find a need to take that decision have determined that continuing with the 3x azith and adding to it is more effective.

[Mariella49]

I agree with others that azithromycin is really effective for stopping exacerbations. I seem to remember I had to have an ECG before being started on it (250 mg on three days a week).

[Patchpoppy2]

Hi Treed12. I take azthromycin for my bronchiectasis. I have asthma too. I do find it helps, don't feel I'm coughing as much and that is a huge benefit for me. I haven't had any side affects. I take it 3 times a week. Hope you feel better soon, but I would try this.

[Treed12]

Thanks for the replies. It sounds quite positive. It would be nice to feel well!