Long-Term Erythromycin Cut COPD Comp...(ncy and severity of acute exacerbations ...),Health

Date:11/21/2008

ncy and severity of acute exacerbations in COPD present considerable public health implications," Dr. John Heffner, past president of the American Thoracic Society, said in the news release. "Exacerbations occur about once a year among patients with moderate to severe COPD and account for more than $30 billion dollars in direct and indirect costs annually in the United States alone."

"Many patients with advanced COPD receive highly potent, extended spectrum antibiotics during acute exacerbations,". "The relative risks of breeding resistance with a long-term preventative use of erythromycin versus more frequent short-term dosing of highly potent antibiotics for acute exacerbations require careful analysis. If future studies demonstrate similar efficacy of prolonged erythromycin therapy, especially if patients are already receiving inhaled steroids and long-acting bronchodilators, the benefits likely will outweigh the risks."

According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, COPD is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. It can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD.

More information

The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has more about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

-- Kevin McKeever

SOURCE: American Thoracic Society, news release, Nov. 21, 2008

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