Are antibiotics beneficial for treating asthma, and are they safe to use in such a context?
Antibiotics are commonly used to treat bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections and strep throat, but their role in asthma treatment is more limited.
Asthma is primarily an inflammatory condition, and treatment typically involves inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and other anti-inflammatory agents. Infections caused by bacteria are not the primary cause of asthma, and as such, antibiotics are not routinely used in asthma management [1][3].
However, there are exceptions. Infections by atypical bacteria like Mycoplasma pneumoniae can sometimes exacerbate respiratory symptoms, and in such cases, macrolide antibiotics may be prescribed if a diagnosis is made [2]. But these instances are not standard treatment for asthma. Antibiotics like macrolides are designed to target bacterial pathogens and are not appropriate for viral or non-infectious asthma exacerbations [4].
The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines do not include antibiotics in standard asthma management except when bacterial respiratory infections are present [1]. This is because antibiotics are only effective against certain bacterial infections, and bacterial infections are not a major cause of asthma. As a result, antibiotics may not be an effective treatment for some people with asthma [6].
It's important to note that antibiotics, like any medication, come with potential side effects. These can include diarrhea, nausea, rash, yeast infection, severe allergic reactions, antibiotic-resistant infections, and Clostridioides difficile infections that can lead to colon damage [5].
Given these considerations, a doctor may consider alternative treatment options before prescribing antibiotics due to the risk of antibiotic resistance and side effects. Other ways to treat asthma include short-acting beta2-agonists, short-acting anticholinergics, oral corticosteroids, corticosteroids in pill or inhalable form, subcutaneous immunotherapy, leukotriene modifiers, biologic medicines, inhaled long-acting bronchodilators, and inhaled mast cell stabilizers [7].
Antimicrobial resistance, a broader term that encompasses resistance to drugs that treat infections caused by bacteria and other microbes, is a serious health concern. It causes over 35,000 deaths per year in the United States alone [8]. Overuse of antibiotics can contribute to antibiotic resistance, making it crucial to use these medications judiciously.
In conclusion, while antibiotics can play a role in treating asthma in cases of documented bacterial respiratory infections or severe/treatment-resistant asthma complicated by infection, they are not effective or indicated for treating asthma in the absence of such conditions [2][4]. Always follow your doctor's guidance when taking antibiotics for asthma.
References:
- Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA)
- American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI)
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- British Thoracic Society (BTS)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- CDC: Antimicrobial Resistance Threats in the United States, 2019.
Seekers with asthma may consult their doctors for treatment Options, with antibiotics playing a limited role in their management. In some cases, antibiotics like macrolides may be prescribed for atypical bacterial infections that exacerbate respiratory conditions, but these instances are not standard treatment. As science advances, medical-conditions like asthma are being treated with an array of alternative medicines, such as short-acting beta2-agonists, subcutaneous immunotherapy, and inhaled mast cell stabilizers, to name a few. It's essential to be cautious with antibiotic use, as they can lead to various side effects and contribute to the growing issue of antibiotic resistance, which is a significant health-and-wellness concern worldwide.
