What You Need to Know About Zithromax
Zithromax is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in the United States but did you know that some of its side effects might be fatal?
What is Zithromax?
Zithromax is a brand name version of the antibiotic Azithromycin, sold in the U.S. by Pfizer, Inc. 1
Does Zithromax work?
Zithromax is effective against a high percentage of the bacteria it is approved to treat, including the most common bacteria that cause many of the illnesses that bring adults and to the doctor with ear infections, throat and chest infections, pneumonia and other illnesses.2
In studies, Azithromycin was more effective in treating various kinds of bacteria than penicillin.3
What should I ask my doctor about before I decide want to take Zithromax?
A 2012 study found that Azithromycin caused a small increase in the chance of fatal heart attacks in patients with a high risk of cardiovascular disease. Patients in the study taking Amoxicillin instead of Azithromycin had a lower risk.4
Zithromax is eliminated from the body through the liver and has also been reported to cause abnormal liver function, hepatitis and other liver conditions that have resulted in deaths. If you are taking Zithromax and develop hepatitis, be sure to talk to your doctor about this and to let any doctor treating you know that you are taking Zithromax.5
What can I do if I am worried about Zithromax?
Never stop taking a prescription medication without discussing it with your doctor. Antibiotics especially have to be taken to the end of their prescribed course or you may not kill all the bacteria you’re taking them for, and might even make those bacteria stronger.6
If you are concerned about Zithromax, talk to your doctor to find out whether there might be another medication for you.
Learn everything that you can about Zithromax before you start taking it.
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1 Food and Drug Administration, “Highlights of Prescribing Information” (2012), http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/050797s016lbl.pdf
2 Ibid.
3 Pfizer.com, Zithromax labelling, http://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=511
4 New England Journal of Medicine, Ray W. et al., “Azithromycin and the Risk of Cardiovascular Death,” (17 May 2012) , http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1003833; http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm304503.htm
5 Food and Drug Administration, http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/050693s017,050710s033,050711s031,050784s018,050730s026lbl.pdf
6 Ibid.