Unlike azithromycin, amoxicillin has no history of causing cardiac events. While looking at data on over four million patients, researchers compare using azithromycin against amoxicillin, another commonly-prescribed antibiotic. The new UIC study examines a large collection of medical data from patients with an average age of 36. Patel’s 2019 study focuses on older patients who tend to have more health issues. The study authors note a previous report finds one in five patients taking azithromycin are also on QT-prolonging drugs. “Because QT-prolonging drugs are used so commonly, our findings suggest that doctors prescribing azithromycin should be sure that patients are not also taking a QT-prolonging drug,” Patel explains. These medications are known as QT-prolonging drugs and they include antidepressants, opioid medications, muscle relaxers, and blood pressure medications like ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers.Īnti-malaria drugs such as hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, which are also creating COVID-19 debate, affect the QT interval as well. The team at the UIC College of Pharmacy explains certain drugs can affect the interval in the electrical rhythm of the heart, called the QT interval. “We found that if taken together with drugs that affect the electrical impulses of the heart, the combination is linked with a 40% increase in cardiac events, including fainting, heart palpitations and even cardiac arrest.” Which drugs affect azithromycin? “Our findings should give researchers and clinicians looking at azithromycin as a potential treatment for COVID-19 pause,” researcher Haridarshan Patel says in a university release. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago now believe part of the trouble with azithromycin may be the other medications patients are taking at the same time. Studies since then however, haven’t been able to prove this conclusively. In 2012, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning saying azithromycin could cause cardiac events. Despite its possible effectiveness during the pandemic, researchers say the drug has a long history of stirring debate. Researchers in Chicago say the drug, when combined with other medications, can increase the risks of heart issues like abnormal heart rhythms and cardiac arrest.Īzithromycin is a commonly-prescribed antibiotic which is now being investigated to see how well it fights COVID-19. A new study is recommending doctors avoid prescribing azithromycin as a treatment for coronavirus. CHICAGO - While scientists continue to argue the pros and cons of using hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19, another drug is entering that conversation too.
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