Update on pharmacotherapy for adult bronchiectasis
10.5124/jkma.2020.63.8.486
- Author:
Hayoung CHOI
1
;
Hyun LEE
;
Seung Won RA
;
Yeon-Mok OH
Author Information
1. Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Pharmacotherapeutics
- From:Journal of the Korean Medical Association
2020;63(8):486-492
- CountryRepublic of Korea
-
Abstract:
Bronchiectasis refers to abnormal dilatation of the bronchi, which leads to the failure of mucus clearance and increased risk of infection. Pharmacotherapy for stable bronchiectasis includes oral or inhaled mucoactive agents, anti-inflammatory therapy, inhaled bronchodilators, long-term antibiotics, and long-term macrolide treatment.Among them, mucoactive agents are the most common adjunctive agents to airway clearance techniques. When patients with impaired lung function suffer from dyspnea, inhaled bronchodilators may be prescribed to relieve the symptom. Long-term macrolide treatment has been proven to prevent exacerbation in patients with frequent bronchiectasis exacerbation. If exacerbation occurs despite the above mentioned treatments, one or two weeks of antibiotics should be prescribed to cover respiratory bacteria that include Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Because evidence supporting the use of pharmacotherapy for bronchiectasis is weak, further research is warranted.
