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Medication-Based Treatment

Medication-Based Treatment

Antibiotics

NTM lung disease treatment usually includes long-term use of antibiotics.1 Combinations of drugs are often prescribed to effectively treat a specific strain of NTM.7 Some antibiotics are taken orally (by mouth), intravenously (IV) or inhaled with a nebulizer. It’s extremely important to care for your nebulizer in order to avoid introducing other bacteria or infections into your lungs.12

Mucus Thinners12

Hypertonic saline is a sterile saline solution with a salt (NaCl) content of 1% or higher that is used to hydrate and loosen mucus, making it easier to cough up. Hypertonic saline is inhaled using a nebulizer.

Bronchodilators12

Bronchodilators are drugs that relax and open your airways, so air can flow more freely into your lungs allowing you to breathe more easily. Bronchodilators can be used before an airway clearance session to help with mucus clearance. Salbutamol (or albuterol) is a commonly used bronchodilator that is inhaled using an inhaler (puffer) and a valved holding chamber or a nebulizer.

 

References

1. Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease. National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). (Last accessed February 23, 2024).

2. What is NTM? Bronchiectasis and NTM 360°. COPD Foundation. (Last accessed January 17, 2024).

3. Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) Infections. CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Last accessed January 17, 2024).

4. Joseph O Falkinham. Environmental Sources of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria. Clinics in Chest Medicine 2014;36(1):35-41.

5. Jyotsna Bhattacharya,  , et al. Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections in Children. Pediatrics In Review 2019;40(4):179-190. 

6. Nutrition Guide. NTM Info & Research, Inc. (Last accessed January 17, 2024).

7. NTM Lung Disease Treatment. NTM Info & Research, Inc.  - Medications (Last accessed January 17, 2024).

8. NTM Lung Disease Treatment. NTM Info & Research, Inc. - Reducing Exposure (Last accessed January 17, 2024).

9. Joseph O Falkinham. Reducing Human Exposure to Mycobacterium avium. Annals of the American Thoracic Society 2013;10(4):378-382.

10. O'Donnell DE, Parker CM.  COPD exacerbations 3: Pathophysiology. Thorax 2006;61:354-361. 

11. Wolkove N,   et al.  Use of a Mucus Clearance Device Enhances the Bronchodilator Response in Patients With Stable COPD. CHEST 2002;121(3):702-707.

12. NTM Info & Research, Inc. (Last accessed January 17, 2024). 

13. NTM Info & Research, Inc. (Last accessed February 23, 2024).