title: A case-based approach to evaluating azithromycin use and cardiovascular risks.
abstract: Azithromycin is a commonly prescribed macrolide antibiotic for the management of community-acquired pneumonia in the outpatient setting. Recent data have led to a growing concern of abnormal changes in cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias associated with its use. As azithromycin continues to be prescribed, clinicians should be aware of the new safety data and how it may affect concomitant medications or comorbid conditions in a patient. This article utilizes a case-based approach to assess azithromycin use and the risk of QT-prolongation and cardiac arrhythmias.
authors.affiliation: Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York.
authors.forename: Timothy V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Nguyen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin
keywords: Arrhythmias; Azithromycin; CAP = Community-acquired pneumonia; Community-acquired pneumonia; ICU = Intensive care unit; IDSA = Infectious Diseases Society of America; Macrolides; Methadone; QT-prolongation; Risperidone; Torsade de pointes