Zithromax Continues to Be a Health Concern for Experts

Zithromax (azithromycin) is one of the most popular antibiotics prescribed by doctors due to its low-commitment level. Instead of a 10-day prescription requirement, Zithromax only requires five, making it especially popular among children and parents. Zithromax is commonly prescribed for bronchitis, pneumonia, chest infections, urinary tract and other common infections.

Nearly a year after the U.S. Zithromax heart warning was made, Health Canada issued a warning stating that a “small absolute increase in the risk of cardiovascular deaths was observed in patients taking azithromycin as compared to those who took no antibiotics and those who took amoxicillin in a recent study.”

The FDA and Health Canada were prompted to make these announcements from a study conducted by Vanderbilt University, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, in which medical researchers found a higher percentage of cardiovascular deaths among patients treated with azithromycin (Zithromax) than with other antibiotics or no drugs.

The Vanderbilt study consisted of information compiled from about 350,000 patients who were treated with Zithromax over a 15-year period. The results concluded that these Zithromax patients were 1.5x more likely to suffer cardiovascular sudden death, than patients treated with other antibiotics.

Lead researcher on this study, Professor Wayne Ray of Vanderbilt University, said that people with underlying heart problems seem to be especially vulnerable to developing a heart attack from Zithromax. Additionally, the FDA said that patients who have low potassium or magnesium levels in their blood are at higher risks. Patients who have a slower heart rate than normal or are already taking heart medications to treat arrhythmia are also at higher risk.

In a CNN interview, Ray said that it was still unknown as to why Zithromax was causing these issues. Ray had even pointed out that similar antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, have also been found to cause heart arrhythmia.

In response, Pfizer released a statement saying: “The majority of patients treated with Zithromax (azithromycin) are not affected by this label update.”

Both agencies announced it would give updates and finding when available, and are still conducting their own studies of Zithromax heart side effects. Both consumers and physicians will be informed timely of these results.

If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of a Zithromax cardiovascular injury, you have legal options. Please visit the Zithromax, Z-Pak, Azithromycin Class Action Lawsuit Investigation for more information. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned Zithromax lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The heart arrhythmia attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.