I have bronchiectasis and use a nebulizer to medicate the antibiotic Colomycin. I also have an open prescription to order Amoxcillin in case I get a further infection. It is regarded as an emergency extra antibiotic to take as well as the Colomycin. If you are unsure what to do contact your doctor to get the right information. Reading your post about green phlegm suggests the infection is there and you should take the emergency pack. I would also take a sample of your phlegm in to be tested. The result will dictate what emergency antibiotic would treat the infection and the specific bugs colonizing your lungs. Amoxcillen is a General antibiotic which treats a number of different bacteria which could include the ones in your lungs.
I take Azithromycin 3 times a week and have done for 10 years now. It keeps my Bronchiectasis under control. I haven't had an exacerbation for 5 years, nor have I been admitted to hospital with Pseudomonas/Pneumonia for the same length of time. Haven't needed to use my emergency pack either.
I would check with whoever deals with your COPD. If you started taking your usual rescue antibiotic you would have to stop taking the Azithromycin while on the other antibiotic
Isn’t it odd how even consultants disagree? Mine told me to carry on with Azithromycin whilst taking amoxicillin so that’s what I do with no problem. He also said to tell the pharmacist he has told me to take both at same time. I didn’t lol . I didn’t want to start a war.
I agree al the information is different. I stopped the Azithromycin whilst taking the Doxycycline and Prednisone. I am now back on it taking 3 times a week. Hoping it will stop the infections throughout the Winter months.x Sheila
Thank you all so much . I have spoken to my Consultants secretary and she was very helpful. Ringing me back as she has gone to speak to Consultant.. really very helpfull also chasing up my appointment for beginning of November. Feeling very positive x Sheila
On emergency pack now and feeling better received the correct information from my Consultant and his team.unforunately my surgery not very helpfull. Trouble is the receptionist is very hard to get past as she thinks she is a doctor and gives all the wrong advice.all sorted now as went over her head to my Consultant who is absolutely lovely thank goodness. Have a nice day Sheila x
No. I rang my hospital spoke to Consultants Secretary who put me through to Respiritory nurse. She rang me back after checking with Consultant and the advice was. Stop the Azithromycin and take doxycycline and prednisone which is emergency pack. When this course finishes in a week go back on Azithromycin. This was my predicament and so pleased I spoke to them . Sheila x
I’d contact your GP. I’ve been on an azithromycin regimen for several years. This past year no exacerbation's.
Only started Azithromycin a week ago so don't think they have kicked in yet. Looks like the previous infection had not cleared so stopped antibiotics too soon. Once this has cleared back on azithromycin which hopefully will work as good for me as yourself. Thanks.
I was getting 4 to 6 chest infections a year for the past 5 yrs until I was put on azithromycin Jan this year, since then I've had 1 infection and 1 exasabation, my breathing has been easier , less pain and stress ,I've had no bad reaction yet and with my nebuliser my sats are constantly at 97% at rest ,I cant recommend this antibiotic enough, it's not licensed for this type of use but so far it's working great for me , I hope it helps you as much as its helped me
Thank you Soulboy. Will be back taking it after this course of Doxycycline and steroids finishes .Hope it works as well for me ,especially with the Winter months ahead .Thank you. Sheila x
Hi garshe, I was diagnosed recently with bronchiestasis and prescribed Azithromycin 500mg to to be taken one tablet 3 times a week. As far as I'm aware, you ONLY take them when you are free of infection etc.. It would appear that you have, I believe, a virus or severe form of infection (thus the green spit), - (yellow spit for a lesser type of infection). I was told that when you become ill, you are supposed to stop taking them, and then inform the doctor, as this could lead to a more serious condition. I think that's why you have that other medication, so that it is to hand, but it might be dodgy taking them at the same time as your Azithromicin. Best bet is to consult your doctor in the first instance. hope that helps a bit.
Its all sorted thank you. I have severe COPD was diagnosed 10yrs ago and still the same as I manage it well. I am much better today thank goodness .I'm taking doxycycline and prednisone for a week. And then back on Azithromycin. Thank you .for your advise but managed to speak to my Consultant at hospital.x
Personally I've continued to take the azithromycin dose as well as my rescue antibi when faced with an infection. I'm a bronchiectasis not COPD sufferer. I now can't recall whether my prior practice was based on any specific advice, so I'll be asking my consultant next time I get the opportunity.
Never had a problem doubling up, but that doesn't make it right!
PS - since some bronchX sufferers are replying maybe it's worthwhile mentioning that doubling up on infections with rescue antibi + steroids is recommended for consideration for COPD, but not for bronchiectasis (source: "BTS Guidelines on Bronchiectasis in Adults - Jan-2019" - seems that there is no evidential support to suggest that steroids, oral or inhaled, have any additional beneficial impact in bronchX infections and of course the downsides of steroids are well known; I got that one wrong too, or rather non-specialist medical advisers got it wrong for me, until I read it earlier this year!)
I am 100% better today as once I take prednisone I am like a 2yr old. Cleaned all my filing tablet and shredded. Cleaned bathroom and other chores. I was advised by my Consultant at hospital to stop Azithromycin so I am doing what I was told .will start it again after course of doxycycline and prednisone finished in about a week.xSheila.
Glad to hear you are feeling better Sheila. I also have doxycycline as my rescue antibiotic. But haven’t had to use them since being put on Azithromycin 3 years ago. Take care x
I was taking AM for 15 years! (Every other day) You get to know when an exacerbation is happening- sometimes your body can fight off a slight infection but I found it’s better to nip it in the bud and avoid a full blown episode. Check with you doctor but generally I kept on taking them through exacerbations - you’ll get to know with time what works. Good luck with it, I’ve lived with it a long time😉 👍
Yes I take 250mg every other day. Unfortunately I still had an infection which i thought had cleared. So I started Azithromycin for the first time. Now on my emergency pack for a week then back on Azithromycin. Hopefully will keep the infections away in future. Thanks.Sheila.x
Unlikely you will get a sudden complete removal of all infections with Azithromycin. I have been taking 3 a week for 3 years and my infections have gone down in those 3 years from 4-5 to 2-3 then to 1 in the last year.
I worship the ground that Azith stands on. Hope it doesn't fade in efficacy over time!
That's great to know.i never get many infections as I take Chlorella, spirilina and turmeric daily to boost immune system. Just had one couple of weeks ago. My daughter gave it to me as e everyone in her workplace had it and it came back a second time. I am like a 2 year old today even running up the stairs.done so much cleaning unbelievable .its the steroids I always feel like this but its short lived as once I stop not so lucky. Anyway enjoying it while I can hope the Azithromycin keeps me infection free I live in hope. Thanks Sheila x
Glad to hear all getting better Shiela. Sorry for not responding sooner but like you been poorly. Take care of you xx
Thank you. Now the steroids have finished unfortunately not running up the stairs so fast but infection free at the moment. Pray it stays this way. 🙏🙏 xxSheila
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