The article discusses the strategy and tactics of antibacterial therapy in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. The presence of infectious and non-infectious exacerbations requires an individualized approach to the addressing the issue of the appointment of antibacterial drug (AD). The majority of cases of infectious exacerbations are caused by bacterial pathogens, less frequently – by viruses. Selection of AD is based on antimicrobial activity against key bacterial causative agents, minimal risk of antibiotic resistance, optimal pharmacokinetics, and safety. AD efficiency is established in placebo-controlled studies in patients with severe infectious exacerbations of COPD. In assessing the effectiveness of AD in patients with exacerbations of COPD, the main criterion is the duration of recurrence-free period, which is determined by the eradication ability of AD.

Keywords: disease-free period, infectious exacerbation of C chronic bronchitis, eradication, antibiotics, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease