Suggest Medication For Pneumonia, Wheezing, Cough And Breathlessness

Posted on Fri, 22 Dec 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 22 Dec 2017 Answered on

Thu, 24 May 2018 Last reviewed on

Question : Pneumonia acquired in home, prob viral but still lowgrade fevers, wheezing, cough, feels short of breath often.
Not improving on clarithromycin , 5 days now.
A better antibiotic choice ??

Thank you, XXXX, md (radiologist)

Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Levofloxacin can be tried

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HealthcareMagic,

I can understand your concern...

Usually, we recommend Clarithromycin twice daily per oral for a week. For wheezing and breathlessness, you can add in the current treatment nebulizer with steroids combined with bronchodilators (like Clenil C twice) and wait for 2-3 days.

If you think that Clarithromycin is not working and especially if you are a smoker or ex-smoker and/ have any comorbidities than you can start Levofloxacin (new fluoroquinolones, prescription-based) once daily per oral for one week and the nebulizer too.

Hope to have been helpful to you.

I wish a fast recovery for you

Regards and feel free to ask me again

Dr.Jolanda

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee