topic Zithromax, "Zmax," Z-pack warning from FDA in Wellness

Zithromax, "Zmax," Z-pack warning from FDA

YorkieonmyPillow — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 15:51:40 GMT

Azithromycin, a commonly-prescribed antibiotic, may trigger a potentially deadly irregular heart rhythm for some patients, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned Tuesday.

The antibiotic that's sold as Zithromax, Zmax or sometimes referred to as a "Z-Pack" is prescribed to treat bacterial infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia, or ear infections.

The FDA is warning the public that the pills can cause abnormal changes in the heart's electrical activity that may lead to a fatal heart rhythm. Not everyone is at risk. Patients with known risk factors such as existing QT interval prolongation, low blood levels of potassium or magnesium, a slower than normal heart rate, or those who use certain drugs to treat abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmias face the greatest risk.

"Health care professionals should consider the risk of fatal heart rhythms with azithromycin when considering treatment options for patients who are already at risk for cardiovascular events," the FDA said in its March 12th update.

CBS news

Re: Zithromax, "Zmax," Z-pack warning from FDA

Annabellethecat66 — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 16:10:15 GMT

@YorkieonmyPillow Thanks for the info. My daughter just started taking something like that for a cough she's had from the flu for over 1 month!

She HATES taking ANY medicine and I drove her crazy til she went to the Drs. Now I'll never hear the end of this.

Thanks again, I just texted her the info and told her to go check it out.

Re: Zithromax, "Zmax," Z-pack warning from FDA

Beth-QVC — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 16:54:49 GMT

This post has been removed by QVC because it is a reposting of deleted information

Re: Zithromax, "Zmax," Z-pack warning from FDA

chrystaltree — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 18:54:28 GMT

It's a prescription medication so obviously, the prescribing physician would know that. Z Paks are new by any stretch of the imagination. I think the real danger is that some lazy doctors over prescribe them because patients ask for Z packs whenever they get cough, cold or sore throat. I thought that's where you were going with this.

Re: Zithromax, "Zmax," Z-pack warning from FDA

gidgetgh — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 18:58:03 GMT

Zithromax is one of the few antibiotics I can take. I haven’t had to take it in several years, but I would if I needed to.

Re: Zithromax, "Zmax," Z-pack warning from FDA

happycat — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 19:03:49 GMT

Well, thats scary. When I have been prescribed that in the past, it just didn't seem to do much for me, and I ended up either call and/or going back to the dr for something different.

My dad has a heart condition, I dont think he needs to take any of that ever again.

Re: Zithromax, "Zmax," Z-pack warning from FDA

cherry — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 19:05:16 GMT

I've only taken it once ,and I was so sick ,and so full of other meds, I felt awful

I hope I never have to take it again

Re: Zithromax, "Zmax," Z-pack warning from FDA

Icegoddess — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 19:16:02 GMT

Good to know. I took it with no problems late last year when I had a bad cold. And I do have an abnormally low heart rate, which my Dr. knows about. Guess I lucked out. Or maybe I'm just charmed since I spent a week in close quarters last week with someone who, it turns out, had the flu.

Re: Zithromax, "Zmax," Z-pack warning from FDA

KathyM23 — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 01:30:34 GMT

@YorkieonmyPillow Thank you for posting this info. I take a prescription to keep heart in rhythm and will make sure not to take a Z-Pak. So many medicines interactions and contra-indications, it is somestimes hard to know what to do

Re: Zithromax, "Zmax," Z-pack warning from FDA

angel54 — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 18:43:58 GMT

I had not heard this. This is the only one I can take. I have reactions to most antibotics. That is just great. Another one they will try to take off the market.

Re: Zithromax, "Zmax," Z-pack warning from FDA

Cumbercookie13 — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 18:52:21 GMT

I've known some people who had a bad reaction to it but not heart-related. It's been very effective for me. I'm allergic to penicillin so usually when a doctor prescribes antibiotics I ask for the Z-pack unless they feel I need something stronger, so they put me on doxycycline.

Re: Zithromax, "Zmax," Z-pack warning from FDA

TootyJane — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 05:43:41 GMT

When my oldest son was 8 the pediatrician wrote him a prescription for Zithromax. As instructed, he took one after dinner and within 30 or so minutes he came into my office and said "Mommy, something is wrong with my mouth." When I looked up both his upper and lower lips were huge! I was horrified but didn't want to freak him m out. I called pediatrician, was told immediately stop giving him the medication (duh, it only took 1!!) and to give him Benadryl which would help with the swelling - oh and my dh or I would need to check in on him through the night in case the swelling resumed.

Re: Zithromax, "Zmax," Z-pack warning from FDA

corita — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 16:55:15 GMT

@Cumbercookie13wrote:
I've known some people who had a bad reaction to it but not heart-related. It's been very effective for me. I'm allergic to penicillin so usually when a doctor prescribes antibiotics I ask for the Z-pack unless they feel I need something stronger, so they put me on doxycycline.
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Just always seems to be something....I am allergic to several antibiotics...penicillin, ceclor, cipro etc. So Z pack is usually what I get!!