Lung and airway medicines
People with cystic fibrosis (CF) may take different medicines to help keep their lungs and airways healthy. These can make mucus easier to clear, open the airways, reduce inflammation, and prevent or treat infections.
The medicines someone takes will depend on their individual health and needs. Your CF team will explain what each medicine does, how and when to take it, and any possible side effects.
Always speak to your CF team before changing or stopping any of your medicines. They can answer questions about your treatment, help with side effects and make sure you know how to take your medicines safely.
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Antibiotics
Antibiotics treat or control persistent infection. For further information, download our Consensus document on antibiotics.
Aminoglycosides and hearing loss
Aminoglycosides are a group of antibiotics used to treat certain infections. Like most medicines, aminoglycosides can cause side effects. Hearing loss is one possible side effect that may be caused by aminoglycoside antibiotics. There is a test called the MT-RNR1 test that looks at your DNA to check if you have a variant (mutation) in the MT-RNR1 gene that means you are at an increased risk of experiencing hearing loss with aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Find out more about MT-RNR1 testing
Home IVs
People with cystic fibrosis (CF) sometimes take intravenous (IV) antibiotics at home.
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Bronchodilators
Bronchodilator drugs open your airways by relaxing the surrounding muscles, relieving tightness and shortness of breath. Bronchodilators may also be used just before a physiotherapy session to open the airways and help with clearance.
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Steroids
Steroids reduce inflammation in the airways - see our factsheet.
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Mucolytics
Mucolytics such as DNase break down mucus, making it easier to clear from the lungs.
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Discontinuation of I-neb nebulisers and Promixin
The I-neb and the antibiotic Proximin were discontinued in May 2025.
Learn more about the discontinuation of I-neb nebulisers and Promixin
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Symptoms of CF
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