FDA Updates Zithromax Heart Side Effect Warning
By John Curran
The federal Food and Drug Administration regularly updates product labeling for a number of drugs, and patients should be aware of recent changes to the side effect warning for Zithromax, Zmax and Z-Pak. It is especially true for those at risk for cardiac problems.
The active ingredient in the popular antibiotics, azithromycin, now carries an updated heart arrhythmia side effect warning. The FDA notes that azithromycin can increase the risk torsades de pointes, which is a severe change in heart rhythm that can lead to potential sudden death. The condition has been linked to all azithromycin-based antibiotics, and may be linked to Zithromax heart attacks.
People who are at risk for cardiac problems such as racing heartbeat or hypokalemia should talk with their doctors about these risks, especially if they also have a family history of heart issues. There are a number of antibiotic options that don’t carry these heart arrhythmia side effects, even though Zithromax is often prescribed even in cases when other antibiotics make more sense.
One example is Zyvox, which is powerful enough to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), but only targets certain classes of bacteria. Azithromycin-based antibiotics can be used on a vast majority of bacterial infections, which is part of why it is so popular. Unfortunately, the side effects of Zithromax, Zmax and Z-Pak – which can also include ulcerative colitis, Stevens Johnson Syndrome and reduced contraceptive efficacy — may not be worth it when other alternatives are available.
Zithromax lawsuit attorneys note that the prescription drug does make sense in certain cases. However, it is often used when doctors are not entirely sure of a diagnosis because of its ability to treat a broad spectrum of diseases. Perhaps the new warnings about potential heart problems will lead practitioners to prescribe azithromycin-based drugs with much more caution, especially with people already dealing with heart problems or who are at risk for them.
However, some patients may not have been aware of these problems, especially given the ongoing changes to product labels by the FDA. If that is the case for you or someone you know, research legal options at the Zithromax Z-Pak Azithromycin Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. There, one can get a free legal consultation with a Zithromax lawsuit attorney and learn whether or not they are eligible to file a claim against the drug’s maker.
Updated May 19th, 2013
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