prednisone and antibiotic use for copd, how often

I suppose prednisone/antibiotic dosing for COPD is up to the discretion of the physician, however they should be using the Gold Standard for 2026 for their treatment guidelines..... 14, 7, or 5 days using a Prednisone 40mg to 20mg taper reportedly gives the same results. I would much rather to the 5 days. Prednisone messes with eye sight, cognitive function, over all well-being. It serves its purpose but I find it miserable to take even with the 5 day taper.

@kndaustin71 confused. I understand that a 5 day 40 mg is as good as 7 or 14 days. But, with only 5 days on 40 mg, I have not been told to do a taper, assume it not necessary with only being on it 5 days, is this what you are saying?

I go to the doctor when I start noticing problems. My doctor does not want me to wait until things get bad. My oxygen levels drop and I have coughing/phlegm issues. He prescribes both the antibiotic (Doxycycline) for possible infection and Prednisone (3 week course that decreases dose every 5 days). Prednisone is to reduce the inflammation. I was told to take in the morning due to possible sleep side effects. Previously, I only took a 1 week course of Prednisone. Since this recent flare was so close to my last one (or not recovered), the doctor thought a longer but tapering dose would work better. I take Ambien if I have too many days of sleep issues or sometimes just some Benadryl to make me sleepy. Sleep is very important for our recovery, so contact your doctor to manage the issues and questions you are having to avoid any trip the hospital. I am feeling amazingly better with this recent regimen. If I can’t stay stable then the doctor will put me on a low dose of Prednisone for maintenance. I did have some confusing issues in trying to know whether I was having a reaction to new inhalers (Bevespi and Breo) tried consecutively over several weeks. I had major coughing and didn’t know if it was my newly diagnosed COPD or side effect). I am off the inhalers and my cough is minimal now. I only added this information to show how things can get complicated when trying to sort things out. All the best with your recovery.

@isa8 I actually like the prednisone. Every time I go off it my lungs feel yucky and clogged up for lack of a better description, and when I go back on the prednisone my lungs feel open- like a breath of fresh air. My first and only hospitalization for a week was last month. I was ok ( an happy to be out of the hospital ) for about 2 weeks or so? Then I started to backslide.
Now I have 02 for sleeping, and a portable 02 device.
What I feel is really working though is the prednisone, Trelegy, nebulizer wit albuterol, and the 02.

I've been told that I should only take prednisone during a flare up because of the side effects. Prednisone reduces the inflammation, that is why you feel better after taking it.
Ask your doctor about:
Dupilumab (Dupixent) - Blocks IL-4 and IL-13 (two key inflammatory proteins)
Self-injected every 2 weeks with a pre-filled pen
You have to have a blood test before it is prescribed, it is for people with eosinophil counts ≥300

Mepolizumab (Nucala) - Blocks IL-5 (the main signal for eosinophil production)
Self-injected once every 4 weeks

This one is still in the trial stages, but you can ask to join a trial.
Lunsekimig - Blocks TSLP AND IL-13 together (dual-target Nanobody)
Targets both upstream inflammation triggers and downstream tissue damage
For eosinophils ≥150 cells/μL

None of these will cure your COPD, but may ease the symptoms caused by the inflammation.

I have lung cancer and now doing immunotherapy for almost 2 years and still have small tumors. My pulmonary DR. has told me only to take prednisone as a last result as it lowers your immune system which Is how immunotherapy kills cancer.

We are all different . I have C Diff bacteria that lurks . A few days of antibiotics and I am very ill . I have taken prentisone ( spell check can’t get it either). And then tapered it off . I had 20 tablets took one a day for 13 days , then cut them in half for the rest of the term. It is absolutely a wonderful vacation from my emphysema . But we can just take so much . That was a year ago and haven’t had any more. I don’t take antibiotics . I am 4 liters 24/7 for 3 years so far .

Taking Prednisone 10 mg daily for several months as it really helped when I had spasms. spasms stopped now the pulmonologist wants me off prednisone. I am decreasing 2.5 mg per month but feel very tired and weak.
Anyone else do this?

@jerdonus is had 60 mg for 6 weeks before tapering off!!! Uggg

@tia8marie
I take 10mg per day