Common Antibiotic Can Boost Risk of Death

An antibiotic used to treat bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections and sexually transmitted diseases may boost the risk of death, a US study said Wednesday.

The study in New England Journal of Medicine is the first to document serious heart risks of using Azithromycin -- up to a 2.5-fold higher chance of cardiovascular fatalities -- in the first five days of treatment compared to another or no antibiotic.

While the relative number of fatalities was low, researchers said the findings offer new information about possible dangers that doctors and patients should consider.

"We believe this study adds important information on the risk profile for azithromycin," said lead author Wayne Ray, professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University. For patients with elevated cardiovascular risk and infections for which there are alternative antibiotics, the cardiovascular effects of azithromycin may be an important clinical consideration."

Side effects may include skin rashes, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing and rapid, pounding or irregular heartbeats, according to the American Hospital Formulary Service.

(From Yahoo)