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Can A Person With Heart Arrhythmia Consume Z-Pak?
Question: I have to take Z-Pak or some type of antibiotic for an infection. I have SVT heart arrhythmia and recently read about the link between Z-Pak and heart disease. Should I take the z-park or get prescribed something else?
Brief Answer:
Yes,it may cause arrhythmia,so find another antibiotic.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
welcome to HCM.
I read your query and would like to say that,
Azitromycin (z-pak) is a drug which belongs to group called macrolides.
All macrolides including azithromycin can predispose to irregular fast heat beat which we call arrhythmia, especially in group of predisposed patients.
Also,azithromicin has a pro-arrhythmia effect which might cause a QT segment prolongation, ventricular tachycardia and sudden death.
In 2013,the FDA issued a warning as well regarding 'azithromycin can cause abnormal changes in the electrical activity of heart' that may lead to fatal irregular heart rhythm.
The warning indicated that people with per-existent conditions are at particular risk, such as those with QT interval prolongation, low blood levels of potassium or magnesium or those who use of certain drugs used to treat abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmia.
The reason for which you are going to take Z-pack could be sore throat or some other bacterial infection which can be treated as well with other antibiotics groups (like Amoxicillin or cephlaosporins groups) that have no effect on QT segment and don't cause ventricular arrhythmia or sudden death.
So, I would suggest to talk with your family physician to prescribe another antibiotic group other than macrolides (azithromicin).
Hope this detailed explanation will answer your query.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Yes,it may cause arrhythmia,so find another antibiotic.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
welcome to HCM.
I read your query and would like to say that,
Azitromycin (z-pak) is a drug which belongs to group called macrolides.
All macrolides including azithromycin can predispose to irregular fast heat beat which we call arrhythmia, especially in group of predisposed patients.
Also,azithromicin has a pro-arrhythmia effect which might cause a QT segment prolongation, ventricular tachycardia and sudden death.
In 2013,the FDA issued a warning as well regarding 'azithromycin can cause abnormal changes in the electrical activity of heart' that may lead to fatal irregular heart rhythm.
The warning indicated that people with per-existent conditions are at particular risk, such as those with QT interval prolongation, low blood levels of potassium or magnesium or those who use of certain drugs used to treat abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmia.
The reason for which you are going to take Z-pack could be sore throat or some other bacterial infection which can be treated as well with other antibiotics groups (like Amoxicillin or cephlaosporins groups) that have no effect on QT segment and don't cause ventricular arrhythmia or sudden death.
So, I would suggest to talk with your family physician to prescribe another antibiotic group other than macrolides (azithromicin).
Hope this detailed explanation will answer your query.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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