Health & Medicine
U.S. FDA warns that Azithromycin "Z-pack" Antibiotics Could Cause Fatal Irregular Heart Rhythm
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Mar 12, 2013 08:11 PM EDT
A recent report from the Food and Drug Administration warns that an antibiotic prescribed for a wide variety of infections may pose heart risks.
Azithromycin, sold as Zithromax and Z-Pak, may cause abnormal changes in the heart's electrical activity, according to a statement from the FDA. Those changes may also lead to a potentially deadly irregular heart rhythm, the agency added.
The FDA reports that patients with low blood levels of magnesium or potassium and heart rates that are slower than normal may be at risk. Those who take certain drugs for abnormal heart rhythms are also at risk.
Pfizer, which makes Zithromax, updated the drug's label about the rare heart rhythm abnormality in some patients. "It is important to note that other macrolide antibiotics are similarly labeled," the pharmaceutical company said in a statement, according to USA TODAY.
"It is also important to note that the majority of patients treated with Zithromax (azithromycin) are not affected by this label update."
Zithromax is used to treat ear, lung, reproductive organ, sinus, skin and throat infections. Zithromax can be taken as a tablet and liquid.
Sales of Zithromax, one of the U.S.' top-selling antibiotics, totaled $464 million in 2011 according to health care information company IMS Health, according to The Associated Press.
The drug may cause side effects, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
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First Posted: Mar 12, 2013 08:11 PM EDT
A recent report from the Food and Drug Administration warns that an antibiotic prescribed for a wide variety of infections may pose heart risks.
Azithromycin, sold as Zithromax and Z-Pak, may cause abnormal changes in the heart's electrical activity, according to a statement from the FDA. Those changes may also lead to a potentially deadly irregular heart rhythm, the agency added.
The FDA reports that patients with low blood levels of magnesium or potassium and heart rates that are slower than normal may be at risk. Those who take certain drugs for abnormal heart rhythms are also at risk.
Pfizer, which makes Zithromax, updated the drug's label about the rare heart rhythm abnormality in some patients. "It is important to note that other macrolide antibiotics are similarly labeled," the pharmaceutical company said in a statement, according to USA TODAY.
"It is also important to note that the majority of patients treated with Zithromax (azithromycin) are not affected by this label update."
Zithromax is used to treat ear, lung, reproductive organ, sinus, skin and throat infections. Zithromax can be taken as a tablet and liquid.
Sales of Zithromax, one of the U.S.' top-selling antibiotics, totaled $464 million in 2011 according to health care information company IMS Health, according to The Associated Press.
The drug may cause side effects, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone