Home care for a lung abscess includes:

• Stop smoking.
• Avoid exposure to secondary smoke.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Acetaminophen for pain
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain:
• Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, NeoProfen)
• Ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis, Oruvail)
• Naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve)
• Take prescribed medications as directed:
• Don't skip doses of your medication. This makes them less effective.
• Be aware of the common side effects that may be caused by your medication.

Home treatment for a cough in adults with a lung abscess includes:

• Avoid respiratory irritants, such as pollution, pollen, mold, dust and chemical fumes
• Change A/C and furnace filters regularly.
• Do not smoke and avoid exposure to secondary smoke.
• Drink warm liquids to relieve coughing spasms.
• Raise the head of your bed at night and sleep on your left side: this minimizes acid reflux.
• Use throat lozenges.
• Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.

• Cough medicines rarely reduce coughing.
• Cough medications that contain dextromethorphan may reduce a dry cough.
• Cough medications that contain guaifenesin (Robitussin) may make it easier to cough up phlegm.
• Guaifenesin is often combined with dextromethorphan (Robitussin-DM).

• A cough can help clear infected mucus from the lungs. Suppressing the cough may reduce your ability to fight the infection.
• Cough medicine can cause drowsiness. Do not take cough medication if you plan to drive or operate machinery.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Do not take cough medication if you take sedatives or medication for depression.
• Talk to your doctor before you take cough medicine if you have asthma, COPD, emphysema, heart disease or high blood pressure.

• Avoid respiratory irritants, such as pollution, pollen, mold, dust and chemical fumes
• Change A/C and furnace filters regularly.
• Avoid exposure to secondary smoke.
• Drink warm liquids to relieve coughing spasms.
• Use throat lozenges, but do not use them in children under 5 years of age.
• Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.

• Cough medicines rarely reduce coughing.
• Cough medications that contain dextromethorphan may reduce a dry cough.
• Cough medications that contain guaifenesin (Robitussin) may make it easier to cough up phlegm.
• Guaifenesin is often combined with dextromethorphan (Robitussin-DM).

• Contact your doctor before using cough medicine in a child less than 6 years old.
• A cough can help clear infected mucus from the lungs. Suppressing the cough may reduce the child's ability to fight the infection.
• Cough medicine can cause drowsiness.
• Talk to the doctor before you give cough medicine to a child who has asthma, lung disease, heart disease or kidney disease.

Medications commonly used to control pain and fever in adults with a lung abscess include:

• Acetaminophen
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs:
• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Ketoprofen

• Acetaminophen decreases fever and pain, but does not help inflammation.
• Adult dosing is 2 regular strength (325 mg) every 4 hours or 2 extra-strength (500 mg) every 6 hours.
• Maximum dose is 4,000 mg per day.
• Avoid this drug if you have alcoholism, liver disease or an allergy to the drug. See the package instructions.
• Common brand names include Tylenol, Panadol, and many others.

• Aspirin decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is two regular strength (325 mg) every 4 hours with food.
• There are numerous products that contain aspirin.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Ibuprofen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours.
• Do not exceed 1,200 mg per day without a doctor's recommendation.
• Brand names include Advil, Motrin and Nuprin.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Naproxen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is 200 or 220 mg twice a day with food.
• Do not exceed 500 mg per day.
• Its brand name is Aleve.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Ketoprofen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is 12.5 mg every 4-6 hours with food.
• Do not exceed 75 mg per day.
• Its brand name is Orudis KT.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Avoid using alcohol when taking any of these medications.
• Do not mix prescription and non-prescription NSAIDS unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• NSAIDS can interact with other blood thinners, such as Coumadin, and cause bleeding complications.
• Ask your doctor before using an NSAID if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Ask your doctor before using an NSAID if you have a history of:
• Allergy to aspirin
• Asthma
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Stomach ulcers
• Esophageal ulcers
• Bleeding problems
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease

Notify your doctor if you have a lung abscess and any of the following:

• Coughing blood
• Coughing up brown mucus
• Fever over 102 degrees F (38.8 C)
• Worsening difficulty breathing
• Worsening chest pain
• Worsening cough
• Inability to take prescribed medications

Last Updated: Mar 10, 2011 References
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
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