Guidance

Recommendations

Recommendations

People have the right to be involved in discussions and make informed decisions about their care, as described in NICE's information on making decisions about your care.

Making decisions using NICE guidelines explains how we use words to show the strength (or certainty) of our recommendations, and has information about prescribing medicines (including off‑label use), professional guidelines, standards and laws (including on consent and mental capacity), and safeguarding.

1.1 Managing an acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis (non-cystic fibrosis)

Treatment

1.1.2

Obtain a sputum sample from people with an acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis and send for culture and susceptibility testing.

1.1.3

Offer an antibiotic to people with an acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis. When choosing an antibiotic (see the recommendations on choice of antibiotic), take account of:

  • the severity of symptoms

  • previous exacerbation and hospital admission history, and the risk of developing complications

  • previous sputum culture and susceptibility results.

1.1.4

When results of sputum culture and susceptibility testing are available:

  • review the choice of antibiotic and

  • only change the antibiotic according to susceptibility results if bacteria are resistant and symptoms are not already improving (using a narrow-spectrum antibiotic wherever possible).

1.1.5

With an antibiotic, give advice about:

  • possible adverse effects of antibiotics, particularly diarrhoea

  • seeking medical help if symptoms worsen rapidly or significantly at any time, or the person becomes systemically very unwell.

To find out why the committee made the recommendations, see the rationale section on treatment of an acute exacerbation.

Reassessment

1.1.6

Reassess people with an acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis if their symptoms worsen rapidly or significantly at any time, taking account of:

  • other possible diagnoses, such as pneumonia

  • any symptoms or signs suggesting a more serious illness or condition, such as cardiorespiratory failure or sepsis

  • previous antibiotic use, which may have led to resistant bacteria.

To find out why the committee made the recommendation, see the rationale section on reassessment.

Referral and seeking specialist advice

1.1.7

Refer people with an acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis to hospital if they have any symptoms or signs suggesting a more serious illness or condition (for example, cardiorespiratory failure or sepsis).

1.1.8

Seek specialist advice for people with an acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis if they:

  • have symptoms that are not improving with repeated courses of antibiotic treatment or

  • have bacteria that are resistant to oral antibiotics or

  • cannot take oral medicines (to explore locally available options for giving intravenous antibiotics at home or in the community, rather than in hospital, where this is appropriate).

To find out why the committee made the recommendations, see the rationale section on referral and seeking specialist advice.

1.2 Choice of antibiotic for treating an acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis

1.2.1

When prescribing antibiotic treatment for an acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis:

  • follow table 1 for adults aged 18 years and over

  • follow table 2 for children and young people under 18 years.

1.2.2

Give oral antibiotics first line if the person can take oral medicines, and the severity of their condition does not require intravenous antibiotics.

1.2.3

Review intravenous antibiotics by 48 hours and consider stepping down to oral antibiotics where possible.

Table 1 Antibiotics for adults aged 18 years and over
Treatment Antibiotic, dosage and course length

First-choice oral antibiotics for empirical treatment in the absence of current susceptibility data (guided by most recent sputum culture and susceptibilities where possible)

Amoxicillin (preferred choice in pregnancy):

500 mg three times a day for 7 to 14 days

Doxycycline:

200 mg on first day, then 100 mg once a day for a 7‑ to 14‑day course in total

Clarithromycin:

500 mg twice a day for 7 to 14 days

Alternative choice oral antibiotics (if person at higher risk of treatment failure) for empirical treatment in the absence of current susceptibility data (guided by most recent sputum culture and susceptibilities where possible)

Co‑amoxiclav:

500/125 mg three times a day for 7 to 14 days

Levofloxacin (only if co‑amoxiclav is unsuitable; with specialist advice):

500 mg once or twice a day for 7 to 14 days

In December 2018, this was an off-label use of levofloxacin (see NICE's information on prescribing medicines)

See the MHRA January 2024 advice on restrictions and precautions for using fluoroquinolone antibiotics because of the risk of disabling and potentially long‑lasting or irreversible side effects. Fluoroquinolones must now only be prescribed when other commonly recommended antibiotics are inappropriate

First-choice intravenous antibiotics (if unable to take oral antibiotics or severely unwell) for empirical treatment in the absence of current susceptibility data (guided by most recent sputum culture and susceptibilities where possible)

Co‑amoxiclav:

1.2 g three times a day

Piperacillin with tazobactam:

4.5 g three times a day, increased if necessary to 4.5 g four times a day

Levofloxacin (only if co‑amoxiclav or piperacillin with tazobactam are unsuitable; with specialist advice):

500 mg once or twice a day

In December 2018, this was an off-label use of levofloxacin (see NICE's information on prescribing medicines)

See the MHRA January 2024 advice on restrictions and precautions for using fluoroquinolone antibiotics because of the risk of disabling and potentially long‑lasting or irreversible side effects. Fluoroquinolones must now only be prescribed when other commonly recommended antibiotics are inappropriate

When current susceptibility data available, choose antibiotics accordingly

Consult a local microbiologist as needed

See the BNF for appropriate use and dosing in specific populations, for example, in hepatic impairment, renal impairment, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and when administering intravenous antibiotics.

When a person is having antibiotic prophylaxis, treatment should be with an antibiotic from a different class.

Review intravenous antibiotics by 48 hours and consider stepping down to oral antibiotics when possible for a total antibiotic course of 7 to 14 days.

Course length should be based on an assessment of the severity of bronchiectasis, exacerbation history, severity of exacerbation symptoms, previous culture and susceptibility results, and response to treatment.

People who may be at higher risk of treatment failure include people who have had repeated courses of antibiotics, a previous sputum culture with resistant or atypical bacteria, or a higher risk of developing complications.

Table 2 Antibiotics for children and young people under 18 years
Treatment Antibiotic, dosage and course length

First-choice oral antibiotics for empirical treatment in the absence of current susceptibility data (guided by most recent sputum culture and susceptibilities where possible)

Amoxicillin (preferred choice in pregnancy):

1 month to 11 months, 125 mg three times a day for 7 to 14 days

1 year to 4 years, 250 mg three times a day for 7 to 14 days

5 years to 17 years, 500 mg three times a day for 7 to 14 days

Clarithromycin:

1 month to 11 years:

  • Under 8 kg, 7.5 mg/kg twice a day for 7 to 14 days

  • 8 kg to 11 kg, 62.5 mg twice a day for 7 to 14 days

  • 12 kg to 19 kg, 125 mg twice a day for 7 to 14 days

  • 20 kg to 29 kg, 187.5 mg twice a day for 7 to 14 days

  • 30 kg to 40 kg, 250 mg twice a day for 7 to 14 days

12 years to 17 years, 250 mg to 500 mg twice a day for 7 to 14 days

Doxycycline:

12 years to 17 years, 200 mg on first day, then 100 mg once a day for a 7‑day to 14‑day course in total

Alternative choice oral antibiotics (if person at higher risk of treatment failure) for empirical treatment in the absence of current susceptibility data (guided by most recent sputum culture and susceptibilities where possible)

Co‑amoxiclav:

1 month to 11 months, 0.25 ml/kg of 125/31 suspension three times a day for 7 to 14 days

1 year to 5 years, 5 ml of 125/31 suspension three times a day or 0.25 ml/kg of 125/31 suspension three times a day for 7 to 14 days

6 years to 11 years, 5 ml of 250/62 suspension three times a day or 0.15 ml/kg of 250/62 suspension three times a day for 7 to 14 days

12 years to 17 years, 250/125 mg three times a day or 500/125 mg three times a day for 7 to 14 days

Ciprofloxacin (only if co‑amoxiclav is unsuitable; with specialist advice):

1 year to 17 years, 20 mg/kg twice a day (maximum 750 mg per dose) for 7 to 14 days

See the MHRA January 2024 advice on restrictions and precautions for using fluoroquinolone antibiotics because of the risk of disabling and potentially long‑lasting or irreversible side effects. Fluoroquinolones must now only be prescribed when other commonly recommended antibiotics are inappropriate

First-choice intravenous antibiotics (if unable to take oral antibiotics or severely unwell) for empirical treatment in the absence of current susceptibility data (guided by most recent sputum culture and susceptibilities where possible)

Co‑amoxiclav:

1 month to 2 months, 30 mg/kg twice a day

3 months to 17 years, 30 mg/kg three times a day (maximum 1.2 g three times a day)

Piperacillin with tazobactam:

1 month to 11 years, 90 mg/kg three or four times a day (maximum per dose 4.5 g four times a day)

12 years to 17 years, 4.5 g three times a day, increased if necessary to 4.5 g four times a day

Ciprofloxacin (only if co-amoxiclav or piperacillin with tazobactam are unsuitable; with specialist advice):

1 year to 17 years, 10 mg/kg three times a day (maximum 400 mg per dose)

See the MHRA January 2024 advice on restrictions and precautions for using fluoroquinolone antibiotics because of the risk of disabling and potentially long‑lasting or irreversible side effects. Fluoroquinolones must now only be prescribed when other commonly recommended antibiotics are inappropriate

When current susceptibility data available, choose antibiotics accordingly

Consult a local microbiologist as needed

See the BNF for children for appropriate use and dosing in specific populations, for example, in hepatic impairment and renal impairment, and when administering intravenous antibiotics.

The age bands apply to children of average size and, in practice, the prescriber will use the age bands in conjunction with other factors such as the severity of the condition and the child's size in relation to the average size of children of the same age.

When a person is having antibiotic prophylaxis, treatment should be with an antibiotic from a different class.

Review intravenous antibiotics by 48 hours and consider stepping down to oral antibiotics where possible for a total antibiotic course of 7 to 14 days.

Course length should be based on an assessment of the severity of bronchiectasis, exacerbation history, severity of exacerbation symptoms, previous culture and susceptibility results, and response to treatment.

People who may be at higher risk of treatment failure include people who have had repeated courses of antibiotics, a previous sputum culture with resistant or atypical bacteria, or a higher risk of developing complications.

To find out why the committee made the recommendations, see the rationale section on choice and duration of antibiotics for managing an acute exacerbation.

1.3 Preventing acute exacerbations of bronchiectasis (non-cystic fibrosis)

1.3.1

Do not routinely offer antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent acute exacerbations of bronchiectasis. Give advice about seeking medical help if symptoms of an acute exacerbation develop.

1.3.2

Seek specialist advice about options for preventing exacerbations in people with repeated acute exacerbations, which may include a trial of antibiotic prophylaxis.

1.3.3

Only start a trial of antibiotic prophylaxis (with oral or inhaled antibiotics) in people with repeated acute exacerbations on the advice of a specialist. To ensure shared decision making, discuss the following with the person:

  • the potential benefits of antibiotics for reducing exacerbations (taking into account the uncertain evidence of benefit for inhaled antibiotics)

  • the risks of antimicrobial resistance with long-term antibiotics, which may mean fewer effective antibiotics for future exacerbations

  • the possible adverse effects of long-term antibiotics, such as:

    • diarrhoea, cardiac events, hearing loss or tinnitus with macrolide antibiotics

    • bronchospasm with inhaled antibiotics

  • the possible interactions of macrolide antibiotics with other medicines

  • the need to regularly review prophylaxis.

To find out why the committee made the recommendations, see the rationale section on preventing acute exacerbations of bronchiectasis.