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FDA warns about side effects from Zithromax (Azithromycin)

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Posted 2/15/2015 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

I don't know how true this is and I don't want to scare anyone. Yet I think it is better to be safe than sorry. As stated in the subject line the FDA has been warning about the risk of fatal heart rhythms from the drug Zithromax.

www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm341822.htm

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/257624.php

I just want everyone to be safe.

Denise
Posted 2/15/2015 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thx, I am on it now
Posted 2/15/2015 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on it now too. I read this before but I thought this antibiotic was generally well tolerated and not that harmful compared to many others.

Can we say this applies to people that have a pre-existing heart condition? I have been on it for a couple weeks now and my heart seems to be completely normal.
Posted 2/15/2015 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
I have heart issues and I've been on this for months. As long as I take enough Hawthorne my heart does OK. Scary stuff though, I don't like having to take it after reading this!
Posted 2/15/2015 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
The warning seems to apply to people with certain conditions.

Based upon what is listed, it is prudent for any doctor Rx'g Zithromax to first confirm the patient's heart function as well as their potassium and magnesium levels.

Thanks for the headsup!
Posted 2/15/2015 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the warning Deejavu. It's good for people here to be informed about it.
Posted 2/15/2015 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
It's the Long QT syndrome. I read about it when I was first put on zithromax. Pirouette was posting about it several weeks back.

The cause of Long QT syndrome can be genetic, but it can ALSO happen by just taking the medication. I have also read another macrolide - I'm thinking Erythromicyn (sp?) is the other one that is also a risk.

Before I had surgery several months back - I had an EKG done to check out my heart, and it was fine...but apparently, if they're not looking for the Long QT syndrome, it can be easily missed.

The scary thing about it is sometimes there are no symptoms prior to the heart just stopping.

So, even if you don't have it genetically, it can be acquired (medication). If it's acquired, it should resolve after stopping the med....
Posted 2/15/2015 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, it is scary - this warning came out a few years ago. I was on Zithromax for a few months as well.

It applies to all drugs in that class - Zithromax, Erythromycin, Biaxin, etc.

Important note - Lymepickle is correct, it usually only applies to those who have pre-existing heart conditions.

Second concern - be careful when combining Zithromax and Diflucan (I did that too) - it can lead to an increased risk.
Posted 2/15/2015 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for posting this Denise. It's always good to know when meds pose any additional risks.
Posted 2/18/2015 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
Its too late for Heather to benefit from this warning, since its been six years since she was on Azithromycin! She complained about fluttering heart beat when she was on it. Now they tell us, huh?

Don
Posted 2/18/2015 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
That's too bad Heather was on it, but at least what you and your wife have done for her since then have given her a lot of help, doing more than meds can do.

They're putting out the new drugs with less testing now, so it's scarey thinking of how many people will go through side effects they didn't catch. I'm glad I've gone so long without any drugs and I hope I can keep it up for many more years.
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