Infective Exacerbation of COPD

Antimicrobial prescribing: NHS Forth Valley
NHS Forth Valley

First Line

Therapy

Amoxicillin 500mg PO 8 hourly

or

Doxycyline 200mg PO STAT, then 100mg daily

or

Clarithromycin 500mg PO 12 hourly

Notes:

Second Line

Therapy

Co-amoxiclav 625mg PO 8 hourly

or

Co-trimoxazole 960mg PO/IV 12 hourly

Notes:

Notes

Treat with antibiotics if 2 of the following are present

  • purulent sputum
  • increased SOB
  • increased sputum volume

Pyrexia and tachycardia also indicative of infection

Send sputum for culture.

Treatment duration: 5 days.  Severe infection may require longer (e.g 7-10 days) guided by clinical response.