Azithromycin May Be Linked To Increase Risk Of Sudden Death In Adult Patients

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the widely used antibiotic, azithromycin, may increase the likelihood of sudden death in adults. The risk was increased in individuals with a history of heart failure, diabetes or a previous heart attack, and those who have undergone bypass surgery or have had stents implanted. The study analyzed health records and data on millions of prescriptions for several antibiotics given to about 540,000 Tennessee Medicaid patients from 1992 to 2006.  During this time, there were 29 heart-related deaths among those who took Zithromax [azithromycin] during five days of treatment. Their risk of death while taking the drug was more than double that of patients on another antibiotic, amoxicillin, or those who took none. Although small, this risk might be enough for physicians to look for alternative, less convenient medications in those patients with heart disease that require an antibiotic.