Azithromycin 500 mg. 3 X week for Bronchiectasis

@spider109 none

@spider109 tubes put!! Sorry

@kevin7 Welcome to Mayo Connect, where we are patients supporting one another in the journey of living with Bronchiectasis. Even though I have not taken Azithromycin alone, I am jumping in to greet you because the members in this discussion, except @spider109, are no longer active in our group. Here are a few questions to help us learn more about you:

How recently were you diagnosed? Are you also doing airway clearance to help keep your lungs clear? Have you been diagnosed with MAC through sputum culture or bronchoscopy, or is this just a shot in the dark by your doc?

@sueinmn
I was diagnosed in May 2025 after following increasing lung nodules for nearly a year via CT. Multiple labs were not helpful. A CT in April followed by a bronchoscopy for washings grew abundant MAC by late May. I started the three day/week antibiotic regime of azithromycin, ethambutal and rifampin in June. My symptoms of loose cough with little production has cleared. I use an aerobica several times a day. A CT is scheduled for later this month, November, followed by a bronchoscopy in December.

@beverlylynn I hope you get good news from your tests. Has your pulmonologist suggested the use of a saline neb before the Aerobika to help g=clear your lungs?

@sueinmn
Briefly, but we haven't pursued it.

@sueinmn
I was diagnosed in May 2025 after following increasing lung nodules for nearly a year via CT. Multiple labs were not helpful. A CT in April followed by a bronchoscopy for washings grew abundant MAC by late May. I started the three day/week antibiotic regime of azithromycin, ethambutal and rifampin in June. My symptoms of loose cough with little production has cleared. I use an aerobica several times a day. A CT is scheduled for later this month, November, followed by a bronchoscopy in December.

@beverlylynn
Wow sounds exactly like my diagnosis. Have you had any side effects from the meds?
Are the nodules cavitating? Do you have any autoimmune issues?
I start my cocktail 11/24/25. 😳

@jenny0822
I won't sugar coat it. It took me awhile to get used to the meds. The ethambutal can be hard on the gut. I used to have a couple hours of diarrhea after taking it. I had quite a skin rash after 1 month which required @ 18 days of decreasing steroid. I stopped the meds while on the steroid. Now I take a Benadryl 25mg about 30 minutes before my first dose and make sure I apply SPF 50 if I am going to be in the sun. I take my meds in the evening which allows me to take my usual meds and supplements before noon, so there is no interference from my minerals. I take my Benadryl @ 5pm. Azithromycin at 5:30 with no food. I take the ethambutal 6:30-7 with dinner. I take the Rifampin @ 11pm at bedtime. If I have any GI reaction, it is usually between 8-10pm. I think my body is adjusting because the GI reactions are becoming less and sometimes none at all. About my nodules, I don't know yet. I'll find out after my CT later this month. Good luck on your journey. It does settle into a routine. Let us know how you are doing.