Azithromycin Prevents COPD Exacerbations

Select patients with frequent exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease despite optimal therapy might benefit from prophylaxis.

Despite optimal treatment with inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids, some patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continue to experience acute exacerbations. In this multicenter U.S. study, researchers examined whether prophylactic azithromycin (a drug with both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects) prevents exacerbations in such patients. More than 1100 patients with ≥10 pack-years of smoking, low ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity (FEV₁/FVC), previous COPD exacerbations, and histories of either oxygen use or systemic steroids in the previous year were enrolled. Patients with resting heart rates >100 beats per minute or QT intervals >450 milliseconds were excluded.

Patient…

Reviewing Author

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar