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Is IV Azithromycin More Effective Than Oral In Treating Pneumonia?
Question: My husband has pneumonia, he also has colon cancer and is being treated with chemotherapy. He has been n antibiotics for 10 days, a 5 day course of azithromycin followed by 5 days of levofloxacin. Now the FNP wants to him with IV azithromycin. As he didn't respond to the oral dose of azith, why wouldn't a different antibiotic be chosen?
Brief Answer:
Community acquired pneumonia
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear that your husband has community acquired pneumonia (CAP). He has been treated with oral dosing of zithromax and levofloxacin. Despite failing the oral dose of azithromycin your doctor has opted to try the IV route. The reason for this is that CAP infection has typically 3 types of bacteria Streptococcus, Hemophilis and moraxella. These compromise 85 percent of CAP. The other 15 percent are caused by legionella and mycoplasma. These bacteria are also sensitive to the azithromycin. Other antibiotics are not as powerful to treat these infections. So another more intensive treatment with azithromycin is still his best option.
I hope I explained well enough for you. If you have any additional questions please contact us again
Community acquired pneumonia
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear that your husband has community acquired pneumonia (CAP). He has been treated with oral dosing of zithromax and levofloxacin. Despite failing the oral dose of azithromycin your doctor has opted to try the IV route. The reason for this is that CAP infection has typically 3 types of bacteria Streptococcus, Hemophilis and moraxella. These compromise 85 percent of CAP. The other 15 percent are caused by legionella and mycoplasma. These bacteria are also sensitive to the azithromycin. Other antibiotics are not as powerful to treat these infections. So another more intensive treatment with azithromycin is still his best option.
I hope I explained well enough for you. If you have any additional questions please contact us again
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I believe my husband has HCAP, Not CAP. He more than meets the definition.
Brief Answer:
HCAP
Detailed Answer:
Hospital or health care acquired pneumonia is a whole new problem. If your husband has HCAP he may need completely different and more aggressive treatment. If you feel that he has HCAP he should probably see a pulmonologist. He will need to be on multiple antibiotics and be closely monitored for side effects from the antibiotics. He may in fact have HCAP since he was Hospitalized in May. So I recommend seeing a pulmonologist to get a second opinion and new treatment
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have further questions
HCAP
Detailed Answer:
Hospital or health care acquired pneumonia is a whole new problem. If your husband has HCAP he may need completely different and more aggressive treatment. If you feel that he has HCAP he should probably see a pulmonologist. He will need to be on multiple antibiotics and be closely monitored for side effects from the antibiotics. He may in fact have HCAP since he was Hospitalized in May. So I recommend seeing a pulmonologist to get a second opinion and new treatment
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have further questions
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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