A new study has found that taking the antibiotic azithromycin may increase the risk of death, including from heart-related causes.
The study was published in JAMA Network Open and was led by Dr. Jonathan G. Zaroff and a team from Kaiser Permanente in Northern California.
Azithromycin is a commonly used antibiotic for treating infections like bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinusitis. It is often chosen because it can be taken for a shorter time than other antibiotics.
However, this new research suggests that people who take it may face a higher risk of dying shortly after starting the medicine, especially from heart-related problems.
The researchers looked at data from two large healthcare systems. They studied over 7.8 million antibiotic prescriptions given to nearly 3 million people. About 22% of these prescriptions were for azithromycin, while the rest were for another common antibiotic, amoxicillin.
They compared people who took azithromycin with those who took amoxicillin to see how many died from heart problems or other causes within a few days of taking the drug.
They found that within five days of starting azithromycin, people had an 82% higher chance of dying from heart-related causes compared to those who took amoxicillin. This increased risk was not seen after the first five days.
Interestingly, while the study did not find a significant link between azithromycin and sudden cardiac death, it still showed a higher overall risk of dying from any cause or from non-heart-related issues. In people who were already at high risk for heart problems, the results were similar.
The study showed that within five days of taking azithromycin, people also had more than twice the risk of dying from causes not related to the heart and double the risk of dying from any cause.
Even though this study does not prove that azithromycin causes these deaths, it raises serious concerns. The researchers say that doctors should be aware of this possible risk when prescribing azithromycin, especially for patients with existing heart problems or other health concerns.
It is also important to note that two of the researchers had financial connections to the drug industry, and the study was funded by Pfizer, a company that makes azithromycin. This doesn’t mean the study is biased, but it is something to keep in mind when interpreting the results.
In conclusion, while azithromycin is a useful antibiotic, this study suggests it may carry more risks than previously thought, especially in the first few days of use. Patients should talk to their doctor about the risks and benefits of any medication, and doctors should carefully consider a patient’s overall health before prescribing azithromycin.
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