Is a Maintenance Dose of Antibiotics Good for a COPD Patient?

By Jackie English

2 min read

I have never been on a maintenance dose of antibiotics myself, but I know many who have. I have heard many praise that they have felt better on this maintenance dose and plan to take it for the rest of their lives.

Before beginning treatment with this or any other new medication, I would still want to learn additional information, just as you should. Always talk to your doctor before starting or stopping any medication.

Understanding maintenance antibiotics

Most people who are prescribed maintenance doses are done so that these doses will reduce the frequency of exacerbations and improve the quality of life. Improving quality of life says a lot to me, so it is something that I would look more into if needed.

Most oral antibiotics prescribed for regular exaggeration, according to the guidelines from the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) that are used are doxycycline, azithromycin, amoxicillin-clavulanate.
Severe exacerbations are typically treated with intravenous (IV) antibiotics, including ceftriaxone, levofloxacin, cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam, and aztreonam.

Featured Forum

View all responses

Benefits and risks of long-term antibiotic use in COPD management

In addition to its antibacterial effects, azithromycin may have anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects that are likely to improve COPD management. This is something that I have begun to research since I find it to be very interesting.

The bad thing about taking a maintenance dose is that it could potentially come with some bad side effects. One of the side effects of long-term use could be hearing loss.

In addition, people with certain heart problems might be at increased risk of death due to heart rhythm problems associated with the use of azithromycin. There could also be a risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria with long-term use.

I don't say this to scare anyone, just to make you aware. We should all be aware of what we put into our bodies and the side effects that go with it.

Hopefully, this is something our doctors would discuss with us if they prescribed it for us, but some don't share details like this, so it's best to be our own advocates and do our research when we are prescribed anything new.

If you are going through many rounds of exacerbations and rounds of antibiotics, then maybe it sounds like this could be a great way to try and stay as stable as you can by getting on a maintenance dose as long as what you have been going through outweighs the bad side effects. In the course of our journey with COPD, I believe that we will need to measure the positives against the negatives on multiple occasions.

Prioritizing quality of life

I always try to decide what makes me feel that I get the best quality of life that I can. We may never know how much time we have left, but I know I want to enjoy the best time that I can.

Are you on a maintenance dose of antibiotics? Please share your thoughts on this subject with us in the comments below.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The COPD.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

CommunityMember326 Member
I am on a maintenance dose of Azithromycin. I take one pill daily due to experiencing a lot of flare-ups. I tried another drug first, I don't recall the name of the drug. With it I experienced chest pains similar to the heart attack I had many years ago. Since going on the Azithromycin I have experienced MANY fewer flare-ups than before. Even the ones I have had have been much easier to get over. Even my daily experience with COPD is better. I would highly recommend anyone talk to their physician about it. It could possibly make you life with COPD much better. It has mine. Good luck.
1. Jackie English Moderator & Contributor
 Hi, <inline-mention username="CommunityMember326" user-id="4135874"/> ! Thank you sharing your experience using antibiotics. We appreciate you sharing with us! Best, Jackie (Author/Moderator)
dltld Member
Thank you for a great subject matter and the wisdom of researching such subject matters. It still amazes me how I use to even just take OTC with out checking them out and the woes they could / have created. We all learn one way or the other and I appreciate those that share like you. I am on 250mg azithromycin for a daily regiment, it has been about 18 months now. I personally feel it was a good choice for myself. I was having exasperations at the change of temperature in a room it seemed like, but have not had any since I started the azithromycin. What has happened sine I started taking it has been crazy, but both myself and doctor feels that taking this has been a true helper. What has happened in that 18months? First there was stage3 lung cancer (remission now), then right behind that was pneumonia and bronchitis at the same time. Hospitalized for many days, sent home and returned with in 24 hrs with COVID and the others still lingering of course, more hospital stay for days. Once cleared with that, 2 months later a CT was done to check the cancer stuff, well that came back bad, PTscan done, came back bad huge amount of inflammation, all 3 doctors that cancer back. NO-! 3 trips in to my right lung has now proved to be a fungal infection, not treating yet, still waiting on the mold growth to see which one(s) it is and that will give meds needed. In the mean time the Doctor and I still believe that the treatments I am using including the Azithromycin is what is keeping me breathing at this time, rough, but still going! I would do this again if option was given! Everyone is different, what works for one might now work for another of course. We must all do what we feel is best for oursleves. THANK YOU AGAIN
1. Jackie English Moderator & Contributor
 You’re so welcome, <inline-mention username="dltld" user-id="6656116"/> ! I appreciate your feedback. My goodness, you have been through the wringer. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Please, keep us updated . Best, Jackie (Author/Moderator)
CommunityMember947 Member
I take low dose Azithromycin. It really helps cut down on flareups. Stage 4 copd. 
1. Jackie English Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember947" user-id="4725608"/> that's good to hear, thanks for sharing with us! Best, Jackie (Author/Moderator)
bin there and dunit Member
 I do not know athromycin but there have been negative reports about some antibiotics (suggested the penicillin family) and also prednicilone According to the reports these drugs kill any damaging matter which is then left on site. Normally the body would afterwards remove the killed cells and eject them from the body but these two drugs are reported as killing the clear-up cells leading to a buildup of dead cells on site. Perhaps the experts could look into this allegation? 
1. Jackie English Moderator & Contributor
 I'll have to check more into that, <inline-mention username="bin there and dunit" user-id="4279910"/>. Thank you for sharing this with us. Maybe, this is something my colleague, <inline-mention username="John Bottrell, RRT" user-id="2438001"/> may be able to answer your question. I will look into this though. Best, Jackie (Author/Moderator) 
2. John Bottrell, RRT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Jackie English" user-id="2415342"/> Yes. I do have something to add. Thank you for the tag. Hi. <inline-mention username="bin there and dunit" user-id="4279910"/> Thank you for sharing your concerns! It’s understandable to be cautious about medications, especially antibiotics and steroids. Azithromycin (the antibiotic mentioned) works by targeting bacteria, and prednisone (a corticosteroid) helps to reduce inflammation by suppressing the immune response. These medications typically don't prevent the body from clearing out dead or damaged cells, though steroids, when used over long periods, can sometimes slow down certain immune processes. Both of these medicines are generally considered safe when used as prescribed for COPD. There are, however, certain antibiotics that have unique side effects affecting certain tissues, but those are not generally prescribed for our disease. Does this help? John. community moderator.