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Suggest Treatment For COPD And Pneumonia
Question: I am currently using two puffers as I have COPD. They are Spirva and Salbutanal. I'm subjected to Pneumonia. If my breathing gets worse I take Prednizone and Avellox. for COPD and Biaxin if I suspect pneumonia. Sometimes I take both at the same time if I'm not sure. My question is this ok to do.
My next question is could you suggest some other medications if these are not to be taken at the same time.
My next question is could you suggest some other medications if these are not to be taken at the same time.
Brief Answer:
you should consult pulmonologist first.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I think your medicines are not proper according to the guidelines. You need to change it.
Guidelines for COPD treatment are.
1. Quit smoking cessation if you have.
2. Inhaled bronchodilators having combination of long acting beta 2 agonist (LABA) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Action lasts for 12 hours and so better control is achieved. Anticholinergic drugs are also used as add on treatment.
3. Enroll in pulmonary rehabilitation center where chest physiotherapy is available.
4. Get done pulmonary vaccination with pneumococcal and influenza vaccine, to prevent recurrent pneumonia.
You need to do all steps simultaneously to achieve better control of COPD.
Now you are taking salbutamol and spiriva inhalers.
Salbutamol is short acting beta 2 agonist and action lasts for only 3-4 hours. So frequent dosing is needed. I advice to change to combination of LABA and ICS. This gives relief for 12 hours. Spiriva (tiotropium) is good. By doing this modification, you will achieve longer control, less frequency of dosing and less chances of exacerbation.
And you should not take prednisone by your own. As it is oral steroid and having specific indications. So better to avoid it.
Avvelox is having moxifloxacin and biaxin is clarithromycin. Both are higher antibiotics and should be reserved. Not to be taken as and when required or routine basis. As this will develop antibiotic resistance.
So I advice you to consult pulmonologist and discuss all these. You need to change your inhaler for better control and avoid unnecessary use of oral steroid and higher antibiotics.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
you should consult pulmonologist first.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I think your medicines are not proper according to the guidelines. You need to change it.
Guidelines for COPD treatment are.
1. Quit smoking cessation if you have.
2. Inhaled bronchodilators having combination of long acting beta 2 agonist (LABA) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Action lasts for 12 hours and so better control is achieved. Anticholinergic drugs are also used as add on treatment.
3. Enroll in pulmonary rehabilitation center where chest physiotherapy is available.
4. Get done pulmonary vaccination with pneumococcal and influenza vaccine, to prevent recurrent pneumonia.
You need to do all steps simultaneously to achieve better control of COPD.
Now you are taking salbutamol and spiriva inhalers.
Salbutamol is short acting beta 2 agonist and action lasts for only 3-4 hours. So frequent dosing is needed. I advice to change to combination of LABA and ICS. This gives relief for 12 hours. Spiriva (tiotropium) is good. By doing this modification, you will achieve longer control, less frequency of dosing and less chances of exacerbation.
And you should not take prednisone by your own. As it is oral steroid and having specific indications. So better to avoid it.
Avvelox is having moxifloxacin and biaxin is clarithromycin. Both are higher antibiotics and should be reserved. Not to be taken as and when required or routine basis. As this will develop antibiotic resistance.
So I advice you to consult pulmonologist and discuss all these. You need to change your inhaler for better control and avoid unnecessary use of oral steroid and higher antibiotics.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
When you answered my question I realize I made a mistake when I asked you the question. When I said one of my puffers was Salabuimal I meant Simbicort.
Brief Answer:
simbicort is good inhaler.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up query.
Simbicort is having LABA and ICS combination. So continue it.
I advice you to take inhalers correctly as fault in technique can cause poor response to the treatment. So proper technique is very important. Inhalers with spacer give you more drug depostion in lung, so ask your doctor about this.
Avoid prednisone, moxiflox and clarithromycin. Better to increase dose of ICS rather to take oral steroid (prednisone).
Start pulmonary rehabilitation. Get yourself vaccinated. I am sure you will not need moxiflox and clarithromycin.
So start all treatment steps(mentioned in previous answer) simultaneously to achive good control of COPD.
Hope I have solved your queries. If you are not having further queries than please close the conversation and rate the answer. Wish you good health. Thanks.
simbicort is good inhaler.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up query.
Simbicort is having LABA and ICS combination. So continue it.
I advice you to take inhalers correctly as fault in technique can cause poor response to the treatment. So proper technique is very important. Inhalers with spacer give you more drug depostion in lung, so ask your doctor about this.
Avoid prednisone, moxiflox and clarithromycin. Better to increase dose of ICS rather to take oral steroid (prednisone).
Start pulmonary rehabilitation. Get yourself vaccinated. I am sure you will not need moxiflox and clarithromycin.
So start all treatment steps(mentioned in previous answer) simultaneously to achive good control of COPD.
Hope I have solved your queries. If you are not having further queries than please close the conversation and rate the answer. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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