Popular Antibiotic Azithromycin Could Lead to Potentially Fatal Heart Rhythms

The FDA issued a warning on Tuesday that azithromycin (also known as Zithromax, Zmax or the Z-Pak) can cause abnormal changes in the electrical activity of the heart that might lead to a potentially fatal irregular heart rhythm. The drug's label has been updated to include this risk.

The FDA is encouraging physicians to consider this risk when prescribing the drug to patients who are already at risk for cardiovascular events. Such patients include those with existing QT interval prolongation, low blood levels of potassium or magnesium, a slower than normal heart rate or use of certain drugs used to treat abnormal heart rhythms.

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