Bronchitis medical therapy: Difference between revisions

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{{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{chetan}}; {{MehdiP}}; {{NRM}}
{{Bronchitis}}
{{Bronchitis}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
Bronchitis is usually caused by a viral agent. The treatment of bronchitis is usually symptomatic with [[analgesics]], [[decongestants]], cough suppressant ([[codeine]] or hydrocodone-containing preparations or inhaled [[corticosteroids]]). Use of antibiotics should be limited to conditions when a diagnosis with a definitive pathogen is there. Oseltamivir for influenza (during influenza epidemics), and [[azithromycin]] for atypical bacterias like [[mycoplasma]], [[chlamydiae]] has been shown useful in clinical trials.
The majority of cases of bronchitis are caused by [[Virus|viruses]] and are self-limited. The treatment of bronchitis is primarily symptomatic and includes [[analgesics]], [[decongestants]], [[expectorants]], and cough suppressants. The administration of [[Antibiotic|antibiotics]] should be limited to cases in which a definitive pathogen is identified. Pharmacologic therapy for chronic bronchitis includes a combination of inhaled [[corticosteroids]], [[bronchodilators]] ( e.g. [[Salbutamol]]), and inhaled [[anticholinergics]] (e.g. [[Ipratropium bromide]]).


==Medical Therapy==
==Medical Therapy==
===Acute Bronchitis===
===Acute Bronchitis===
====Symptomatic====
====Symptomatic====
Treatment for acute bronchitis is primarily symptomatic.
Treatment for acute bronchitis is primarily symptomatic. Even with no treatment, most cases of acute bronchitis resolve quickly.
* [[Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]] (NSAIDs) may be used to treat fever and sore throat.
* [[Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]] (NSAIDs) may be used to treat fever and sore throat.
* [[Decongestants]] can be useful in patients with nasal congestion, and
* [[Decongestants]] can be useful in patients with nasal congestion.
* [[Expectorant]]s may be used to loosen mucus and increase expulsion of sputum.
* [[Expectorant]]s may be used to loosen mucus and increase expulsion of [[sputum]].
* [[Cough suppressant]]s may be used if the cough interferes with sleep or is bothersome, although coughing may be useful in expelling sputum from the airways. Even with no treatment, most cases of acute bronchitis resolve quickly.
* [[Cough suppressant]]s may be used if the cough interferes with sleep or is bothersome, although coughing may be useful in expelling sputum from the airways.  
====Antimicrobial Agent====
====Antimicrobial Agent====
*Only about 5–10% of bronchitis cases are caused by a bacterial infection. Most cases of bronchitis are caused by a viral infection and are "[[Self-limiting_(biology)|self-limiting]]" and resolve themselves in a few weeks.<ref name="Cough">{{cite journal | author = Hueston WJ | title = Antibiotics: neither cost effective nor 'cough' effective | journal = The Journal of Family Practice | volume = 44 | issue = 3 | pages = 261–5 | year = 1997 | month = March | pmid = 9071245 | accessdate = 2009-06-30 }}</ref>  
*Approximately 5–10% of bronchitis cases are caused by a bacterial infection. Most cases of bronchitis are caused by a viral infection and are [[Self-limiting_(biology)|self-limiting]], resolving in a few weeks.<ref name="Cough">{{cite journal | author = Hueston WJ | title = Antibiotics: neither cost effective nor 'cough' effective | journal = The Journal of Family Practice | volume = 44 | issue = 3 | pages = 261–5 | year = 1997 | month = March | pmid = 9071245 | accessdate = 2009-06-30 }}</ref>  
* Antimicrobial agents are not recommended in most cases of acute bronchitis. Various randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have shown a decrease in symptoms by just a fraction of day with use of antibiotics when compared with placebo. These results though statistically significant are not clinically significant (as improvement by only a fraction of day). Antibiotic therapy did not help in a trial of patients who mainly had bronchitis.<ref name="pmid23265995">{{cite journal| author=Little P, Stuart B, Moore M, Coenen S, Butler CC, Godycki-Cwirko M et al.| title=Amoxicillin for acute lower-respiratory-tract infection in primary care when pneumonia is not suspected: a 12-country, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. | journal=Lancet Infect Dis | year= 2012 | volume=  | issue=  | pages=  | pmid=23265995 | doi=10.1016/S1473-3099(12)70300-6 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=23265995  }} </ref> About 15% had chronic obstructive lung disease and their results were not reported separately.<ref name="pmid23265995"/>
* Antimicrobial agents are not recommended in most cases of acute bronchitis. Various randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have shown a decrease in symptoms by just a fraction of day with use of antibiotics when compared with placebo. These results, though statistically significant, are not clinically significant (as improvement by only a fraction of day).
* However, treatment with antibiotics can be administered in cases with a definitive treatable pathogen is there. For e.g. treatment of influenza virus with oseltamivir   decrease the duration of symptoms by approximately 1 day and result in an earlier return to normal activity Similarly, treatment of patients with pertussis is indicated to limit transmission when the therapy is initiated during the first week of symptoms. However, the symptoms are not less severe even with administration of these antibiotics.
** Antibiotic therapy did not help in a trial of patients who mainly had bronchitis. Approximately 15% had [[chronic obstructive lung disease]] and their results were not reported separately.<ref name="pmid23265995" />
* Thus, in case of definitive diagnosis antibiotics can be used for:
* Treatment with antibiotics can be administered in cases in which a definitive treatable pathogen is present.
* Influenza
** Treatment of [[influenza virus]] with [[oseltamivir]] decreases the duration of symptoms by approximately 1 day and results in an earlier return to normal activity.
** [[Oseltamivir]] ([[Tamiflu]]), 75 mg BD for 5 days
** Treatment of patients with [[pertussis]] is indicated to limit transmission when the therapy is initiated during the first week of symptoms. However, the symptoms are not less severe even with administration of these antibiotics.
** [[Zanamivir]] 2 puff BD for 5 days
* In cases of definitive diagnosis, anti-microbial agent may be used for for the following:
* Atypical bacteria (Bordetella pertusis, mycoplasma pneumonia, chlamydiae pneumonia)
** Influenza
** Azithromycin (Zithromax) 500mg on day 1 followed by 250mg from day 2-5.
*** [[Oseltamivir]] ([[Tamiflu]]), 75 mg BD for 5 days
===Other Therapy===
*** [[Zanamivir]] 2 puffs BD for 5 days
* Various other treatments like beta 2 agonist, mucolytic agents, anti-tussive agent and corticosteroids have been used in different settings but no proven benefits have been shown in any of the clinical trials.
** Atypical bacteria ([[Bordetella pertussis]], [[mycoplasma pneumonia]], [[chlamydia pneumonia]])
*** [[Azithromycin]] (Zithromax) 500mg on day 1 followed by 250mg from day 2-5.
====Other Therapy====
* Various other treatments, such as beta 2 agonists, mucolytic agents, anti-tussive agents, and [[corticosteroids]] have been used in different settings but no proven benefits have been shown in any of the clinical trials.


===Chronic Bronchitis Treatment===
===Chronic Bronchitis Treatment===
Chronic bronchitis is treated symptomatically. Inflammation and edema of the respiratory epithelium may be reduced with inhaled [[corticosteroid]]s. Wheezing and shortness of breath can be treated by reducing [[bronchospasm]] (reversible narrowing of smaller bronchi due to constriction of the [[smooth muscle]])  with [[bronchodilator]]s such as inhaled [[beta agonist|β-Adrenergic agonist]]s (e.g., [[salbutamol]]) and inhaled [[anticholinergic]]s (e.g., [[ipratropium|ipratropium bromide]]). [[Hypoxemia]], too little oxygen in the blood, can be treated with supplemental oxygen. However, oxygen supplementation can result in decreased respiratory drive, leading to increased blood levels of [[carbon dioxide]] and subsequent [[respiratory acidosis]].
Chronic bronchitis is treated symptomatically.
 
* Inflammation and [[edema]] of the respiratory epithelium may be reduced with inhaled [[corticosteroid]]s.
The most effective method of preventing chronic bronchitis and other forms of COPD is to avoid smoking cigarettes and other forms of tobacco.
* Wheezing and shortness of breath can be treated by reducing [[bronchospasm]] with [[bronchodilator]]s, such as inhaled [[beta agonist|β-Adrenergic agonist]]s (e.g., [[Salbutamol]]) and inhaled [[anticholinergic]]s (e.g., [[ipratropium|Ipratropium bromide]]).
 
* [[Hypoxemia]] can be treated with supplemental oxygen. However, oxygen supplementation can result in decreased respiratory drive, leading to increased blood levels of [[carbon dioxide]] and subsequent [[respiratory acidosis]].
On pulmonary tests, a bronchitic (bronchitis) may present a decreased FEV1 and FEV1/FVC. However, unlike the other common obstructive disorders, asthma and emphysema, bronchitis rarely causes a high residual volume. This is because the air flow obstruction found in bronchitis is due to increased resistance, which, in general, does not cause the airways to collapse prematurely and trap air in the lungs.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}
 
====Antibiotics====
In most cases, acute bronchitis is caused by [[virus]]es, not [[bacteria]] and it will go away on its own without antibiotics. To treat acute bronchitis that appears to be caused by a bacterial infection, or as a precaution, [[antibiotic]]s may be given.<ref>[http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec04/ch041/ch041a.html The Merck Manual of Medical Information: Bronchitis].  February 2003.  Accessed [[20 March]] [[2007]].</ref>
 
If antibiotics are used, a [[meta-analysis]] found that "amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, macrolides, second-generation or third-generation cephalosporins, and quinolones" may be more effective.<ref name="pmid17573508">{{cite journal |author=Dimopoulos G, Siempos II, Korbila IP, Manta KG, Falagas ME |title=Comparison of first-line with second-line antibiotics for acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis: a metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials to Joe Fo Sho |journal=Chest |volume=132 |issue=2 |pages=447-55 |year=2007 |pmid=17573508 |doi=10.1378/chest.07-0149}}</ref>
 
 
====Antibiotic therapy====
Following are the guidelines to treat cystic fibrosis based on the age, condition associated and microbial agent.<ref name="Rothberg-2010">{{Cite journal  | last1 = Rothberg | first1 = MB. | last2 = Pekow | first2 = PS. | last3 = Lahti | first3 = M. | last4 = Brody | first4 = O. | last5 = Skiest | first5 = DJ. | last6 = Lindenauer | first6 = PK. | title = Antibiotic therapy and treatment failure in patients hospitalized for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. | journal = JAMA | volume = 303 | issue = 20 | pages = 2035-42 | month = May | year = 2010 | doi = 10.1001/jama.2010.672 | PMID = 20501925 }}</ref><ref name="Zaidi-2012">{{Cite journal  | last1 = Zaidi | first1 = N. | last2 = Nawab | first2 = Q. | title = Antibiotic prevention of acute exacerbations of COPD. | journal = N Engl J Med | volume = 367 | issue = 19 | pages = 1864-5; author reply 1867 | month = Nov | year = 2012 | doi = 10.1056/NEJMc1210335#SA1 | PMID = 23134397 }}</ref><ref name="Pasteur-2010">{{Cite journal  | last1 = Pasteur | first1 = MC. | last2 = Bilton | first2 = D. | last3 = Hill | first3 = AT. | last4 = Pasteur | first4 = MC. | last5 = Bilton | first5 = D. | last6 = Hill | first6 = AT. | last7 = Stockley | first7 = RA. | last8 = Wilson | first8 = R. | last9 = Pasteur | first9 = MC. | title = British Thoracic Society guideline for non-CF bronchiectasis. | journal = Thorax | volume = 65 Suppl 1 | issue =  | pages = i1-58 | month = Jul | year = 2010 | doi = 10.1136/thx.2010.136119 | PMID = 20627931 }}</ref><ref name="www.cdc.gov">{{Cite web  | last =  | first =  | title = CDC - Pertussis: Guidelines for Control of Outbreaks | url = http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/outbreaks/guide/index.html | publisher =  | date =  | accessdate =  }}</ref><ref name="Tiwari-2005">{{Cite journal  | last1 = Tiwari | first1 = T. | last2 = Murphy | first2 = TV. | last3 = Moran | first3 = J. | title = Recommended antimicrobial agents for the treatment and postexposure prophylaxis of pertussis: 2005 CDC Guidelines. | journal = MMWR Recomm Rep | volume = 54 | issue = RR-14 | pages = 1-16 | month = Dec | year = 2005 | doi =  | PMID = 16340941 }}</ref>
 
 
 
 
{|
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<div style="border-radius: 5px 5px 0 0; border: solid 1px #20538D; border-bottom: 0px; text-shadow: 0 -1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: inset 0 1px 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5), 0 1px 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); height: 30px; line-height: 30px; width: 250px; background: #A1BCDD; text-align: center;">
<font color="#FFF">
'''Bronchitis '''
</font>
</div>
 
<div class="mw-customtoggle-table1" style="cursor: pointer; border-radius: 0 0 0 0; border: solid 1px #20538D; text-shadow: 0 -1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: inset 0 1px 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5), 0 1px 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); height: 30px; line-height: 30px; width: 250px; background: #4479BA;">
<font color="#FFF">
&nbsp;&nbsp;▸&nbsp;&nbsp;'''''Chronic with Acute Exacerbation'''''
</font>
</div>
 
<div class="mw-customtoggle-table2" style="cursor: pointer; border-radius: 0 0 0 0; border: solid 1px #20538D; text-shadow: 0 -1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: inset 0 1px 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5), 0 1px 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); height: 30px; line-height: 30px; width: 250px; background: #4479BA;">
<font color="#FFF">
&nbsp;&nbsp;▸&nbsp;&nbsp;'''''Bronchiectasis '''''
</font>
</div>
 
<div class="mw-customtoggle-table3" style="cursor: pointer; border-radius: 0 0 0 0; border: solid 1px #20538D; text-shadow: 0 -1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: inset 0 1px 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5), 0 1px 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); height: 30px; line-height: 30px; width: 250px; background: #4479BA;">
<font color="#FFF">
&nbsp;&nbsp;▸&nbsp;&nbsp;'''''Pertussis  '''''
</font>
</div>
 
| valign=top |
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" id="mw-customcollapsible-table1" style="background: #FFFFFF;"
| valign=top |
{| style="float: left; cellpadding=0; cellspacing= 0; width: 400px;"
! style="height: 30px; line-height: 30px; background: #4479BA; border: 0px; font-size: 100%; text-shadow: 0 -1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);" align=center | {{fontcolor|#FFF|'' Chronic with Acute Exacerbation ''}}
|-
| style="padding: 0 5px; font-size: 90%; background: #F5F5F5" align=center | '''''Preferred Regimen'''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left |'''''For mild or moderate disease'''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left | ▸ '''''[[Amoxicillin]] 500 mg po tid '''''<br>OR<br>▸'''''[[ Doxycycline]] 100 mg po bid'''''<br>OR<br>▸'''''[[TMP-SMX]] 1 DS tab po bid '''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left |'''''For severe disease'''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left | ▸ '''''[[Amoxicillin-Clavulanate]] 875/125 mg po bid <br> 500/125 mg po q8h <br> 2000/125 mg po bid''''' <br>OR<br>▸''''' [[Azithromycin]] 500 mg po x 1 dose, then 250 mg q24h x 4 days <br> 500 mg po q24h x 3 days '''''  <br>OR<br> ▸'''''[[Clarithromycin]] extended release 1000 mg po q24h ''''' <br>OR<br> ▸'''''[[Cefaclor]] 500 mg po q8h or 500 mg extended release q12h '''''<br>OR<br> ▸ '''''[[Cefdinir]] 300 mg po q12h or 600 mg po q24h'''''<br>OR<br> ▸'''''[[Cefditoren]] 200 mg tabs—2 tabs bid '''''<br>OR<br> ▸'''''[[Cefpodoxime proxetil]] 200 mg po q12h'''''<br>OR<br> ▸'''''[[Cefprozil]] 500 mg po q12h'''''<br>OR<br> ▸'''''[[Ceftibuten]] 400 mg po q24h'''''<br>OR<br> ▸'''''[[Cefuroxime axetil]] 250 or 500 mg q12h'''''<br>OR<br> ▸'''''[[Levofloxacin]] 500 mg po q24h'''''<br>OR<br> ▸'''''[[Moxifloxacin]] 400 mg po q24h'''''
|-
|}
|}
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" id="mw-customcollapsible-table2" style="background: #FFFFFF;"
| valign=top |
{| style="float: left; cellpadding=0; cellspacing= 0; width: 400px;"
! style="height: 30px; line-height: 30px; background: #4479BA; border: 0px; font-size: 100%; text-shadow: 0 -1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);" align=center | {{fontcolor|#FFF|''Bronchiectasis''}}
|-
| style="padding: 0 5px; font-size: 90%; background: #F5F5F5" align=center | '''''Preferred Regimen'''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left | ▸ '''''[[Levofloxacin]] 500 mg po q24h for 14 days '''''<BR> OR <BR> ▸'''''[[Moxifloxacin]] 400 mg po q24h for 14 days'''''
|-
|}
|}
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" id="mw-customcollapsible-table2" style="background: #FFFFFF;"
| valign=top |
{| style="float: left; cellpadding=0; cellspacing= 0; width: 400px;"
! style="height: 30px; line-height: 30px; background: #4479BA; border: 0px; font-size: 100%; text-shadow: 0 -1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);" align=center | {{fontcolor|#FFF|''Pertussis''}}
|-
| style="padding: 0 5px; font-size: 90%; background: #F5F5F5" align=center | '''''Preferred Regimen'''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left |'''''Infant (age < 1 month)'''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left | ▸ '''''[[Azithromycin]] <sup>†</sup> 10 mg/kg/d for 5 days  '''''<BR> OR <BR> ▸'''''[[TMP-SMX]] <sup>†</sup> (8/40 mg/kg/day) in two divided doses x 14 days'''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left |'''''Infant 1-5 mo of age'''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left | ▸ '''''[[Azithromycin]] 10 mg/kg/d for 5 days  '''''<BR> OR <BR> ▸'''''[[TMP-SMX]] 40 mg/kg/d in 4 divided doses for 14 days '''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left |'''''Infant (age > 6 months)'''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left | ▸ '''''[[Azithromycin]] children: 10 mg/kg on day 1, then 5 mg/kg/d for days 2-5 (max dose 500 mg '''''<BR> OR <BR> ▸'''''[[Erythromycin]] children: 40 mg/kg/d in 4 divided doses for 14 days (max dose 2000 mg/day)'''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left |'''''Adult'''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left | ▸ '''''[[Azithromycin]] 500 mg day 1, then 250 mg days 2-5 '''''<BR> OR <BR> ▸'''''[[Erythromycin]] 500 mg 4 times daily x 14 days '''''
|-
| style="padding: 0 5px; font-size: 90%; background: #F5F5F5" align=center | '''''Alternate Regimen'''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left |'''''Infant 1-5 mo of age'''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left | ▸ '''''[[Clarithromycin]] 15 mg/kg/d in two divided doses x 7 days '''''<BR> OR <BR> ▸'''''[[TMP-SMX]] CONTRAINDICATED for age < 2 months''''' <br> '''''(8/40 mg/kg/day) in two divided doses x 14 days '''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left |'''''Infant (age > 6 months)'''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left | ▸ '''''[[Clarithromycin]] 15 mg/kg/d in two divided doses (max dose 1 gm/day) x 7 days '''''<BR> OR <BR> ▸'''''[[TMP-SMX]] 8/40 mg/kg/day in two divided doses x 14 days)'''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left |'''''Adult'''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left | ▸ '''''[[Clarithromycin]] 500 mg 2 x/day x 7 days '''''<BR> OR <BR> ▸'''''[[TMP-SMX]] 320/1600 mg/day in two divided doses x 14 days  '''''
|-
| style="font-size: 90%; padding: 0 5px; background: #DCDCDC" align=left |''''<sup>†</sup>  = Recommended agent ; Clarithromycin and TMP-SMX are contraindicated in children below 6 mths and 2 mths respectively
|-
|}
|}
|}
 
====Smoking Cessation====
====Smoking Cessation====
To help the bronchial tree heal faster and not make bronchitis worse, [[tobacco smoking|smokers]] should completely quit smoking. <ref>[http://familydoctor.org/677.xml The American Academy of Family Physicians: Acute Bronchitis].  January 2006.  Accessed [[20 March]] [[2007]].</ref>
To help the bronchial tree heal faster and limit progression of bronchitis, [[tobacco smoking|smokers]] should quit smoking.<ref>[http://familydoctor.org/677.xml The American Academy of Family Physicians: Acute Bronchitis].  January 2006.  Accessed [[20 March]] [[2007]].</ref>


==References==
==References==
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Latest revision as of 20:44, 29 July 2020

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Chetan Lokhande, M.B.B.S [2]; Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [3]; Nate Michalak, B.A.

Bronchitis Main page

Patient Information

Overview

Causes

Classification

Acute bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis

Differential Diagnosis

Overview

The majority of cases of bronchitis are caused by viruses and are self-limited. The treatment of bronchitis is primarily symptomatic and includes analgesics, decongestants, expectorants, and cough suppressants. The administration of antibiotics should be limited to cases in which a definitive pathogen is identified. Pharmacologic therapy for chronic bronchitis includes a combination of inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators ( e.g. Salbutamol), and inhaled anticholinergics (e.g. Ipratropium bromide).

Medical Therapy

Acute Bronchitis

Symptomatic

Treatment for acute bronchitis is primarily symptomatic. Even with no treatment, most cases of acute bronchitis resolve quickly.

Antimicrobial Agent

  • Approximately 5–10% of bronchitis cases are caused by a bacterial infection. Most cases of bronchitis are caused by a viral infection and are self-limiting, resolving in a few weeks.[1]
  • Antimicrobial agents are not recommended in most cases of acute bronchitis. Various randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have shown a decrease in symptoms by just a fraction of day with use of antibiotics when compared with placebo. These results, though statistically significant, are not clinically significant (as improvement by only a fraction of day).
    • Antibiotic therapy did not help in a trial of patients who mainly had bronchitis. Approximately 15% had chronic obstructive lung disease and their results were not reported separately.[2]
  • Treatment with antibiotics can be administered in cases in which a definitive treatable pathogen is present.
    • Treatment of influenza virus with oseltamivir decreases the duration of symptoms by approximately 1 day and results in an earlier return to normal activity.
    • Treatment of patients with pertussis is indicated to limit transmission when the therapy is initiated during the first week of symptoms. However, the symptoms are not less severe even with administration of these antibiotics.
  • In cases of definitive diagnosis, anti-microbial agent may be used for for the following:

Other Therapy

  • Various other treatments, such as beta 2 agonists, mucolytic agents, anti-tussive agents, and corticosteroids have been used in different settings but no proven benefits have been shown in any of the clinical trials.

Chronic Bronchitis Treatment

Chronic bronchitis is treated symptomatically.

Smoking Cessation

To help the bronchial tree heal faster and limit progression of bronchitis, smokers should quit smoking.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Hueston WJ (1997). "Antibiotics: neither cost effective nor 'cough' effective". The Journal of Family Practice. 44 (3): 261–5. PMID 9071245. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ The American Academy of Family Physicians: Acute Bronchitis. January 2006. Accessed 20 March 2007.

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