A popular antibiotic prescribed to treat common bacterial infections could carry serious heart risks.
If you've ever taken a "Z-Pak," you need to read this. The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning Tuesday to doctors, and patients who have or may have heart problems.
Z-Paks are popular and widely prescribed because patients take fewer doses over a shorter period of time, compared to some other antibiotics. And when you're feeling lousy, those are the little pills that can make you feel a whole lot better in just a matter of days. "It's used all the time on a daily basis by many, many health care professionals," Fox 29's Dr. Mike Cirigliano said.
But new information prompted the FDA to issue a warning to doctors: if a patient has certain heart problems, they should not be prescribed a Z-pack, otherwise known as Azithromycin or Zithromax. The FDA says the drug could increase the risk of cardiovascular death in high-risk patients. So who exactly is high risk? Dr. Mike said "low magnesium, low potassium, if they have a history of an abnormal EKG," are among the risk factors. In other words, you need to know how healthy your heart is. And if you don't know, you'll want to find out before taking a Z-Pak.
Melissa Lopez is taking the warning to heart. "We do need to back off and let some colds take their course," Lopez told Fox 29. "I think it's a risk you take with any medication." Dr. Mike called the news a "game changer." "It's going to require that if someone is that sick that they need an antibiotic, it's going to be hard for us to say, hey we'll just give you a Z-Pak over the phone without seeing you," Dr. Mike acknowledged.
In an era where critics complain antibiotics are over-prescribed, and too many patients look to a pill for relief, the Z-Pak warning is sobering. "I probably would still take the Z-Pak," Stephanie Wurgler told Fox 29, "but obviously, if you have a family physician that you see, they would probably know your history, and it would be better to talk to them to make sure that they think it's okay for you."
That's the same advice from Pfizer, the maker of the Z-Pak. The company says most patients will not be affected, but you should talk to your doctor if you have any reason to be concerned. The FDA said it's also putting a stronger warning on the drug's label, just in case.
Thursday, May 16 2013 11:50 AM EDT2013-05-16 15:50:32 GMT
Parents, ever wonder what kind of crazy stuff your kids are trying when you're not around? Some are harmless. But we'll show you a few that are really dangerous.
Parents, ever wonder what kind of crazy stuff your kids are trying when you're not around? Some are harmless. But we'll show you a few that are really dangerous.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 5:49 PM EDT2013-05-14 21:49:13 GMT
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer.
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer. Jolie's not the first woman to do it, but she may be the most high profile. Her decision is touching off a serious conversation about the preventive measure.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 10:57 AM EDT2013-05-14 14:57:52 GMT
Angelina Jolie has gotten a surgery she hopes will save her life. The actress says she had a preventative double mastectomy after finding out she carried the breast cancer gene.
Angelina Jolie has gotten a surgery she hopes will save her life. The actress says she had a preventative double mastectomy after finding out she carried the breast cancer gene.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:08:49 GMT
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.If you were lucky enough to get outside Friday, to a place like the Perkiomen
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 5:49 PM EDT2013-05-14 21:49:13 GMT
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer.
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer. Jolie's not the first woman to do it, but she may be the most high profile. Her decision is touching off a serious conversation about the preventive measure.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:13 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:13:26 GMT
The family of the 5-year-old kindergartner abducted in broad daylight from her Philadelphia school is now planning on suing the city and the school district.
The family of the 5-year-old kindergartner abducted in broad daylight from her Philadelphia school is now planning on suing the city and the school district.
Monday, May 20 2013 4:38 PM EDT2013-05-20 20:38:01 GMT
A century-old community staple in Cherry Hill was up for auction Monday. The Woodcrest Country Club has experienced some financial problems recently, and after efforts from the township and the Freeholders
Cherry Hill's Woodcrest Country Club went up for auction Monday, with a pending sale in place after an offer from a Marlton-based developer.
Monday, May 20 2013 3:36 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:36:33 GMT
Philadelphia Police have released surveillance video hoping that someone will recognize the suspect wanted a fatal stabbing. At 5:09 AM, on April 16, police were called out to the 400 block of Vollmer
Philadelphia Police have released surveillance video hoping that someone will recognize the suspect wanted a fatal stabbing. At 5:09 AM, on April 16, police were called out to the 400 block of Vollmer
Monday, May 20 2013 2:22 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:22:16 GMT
Tuesday morning will feature another round patchy fog. It will be a mild and muggy start with temps in the mid 60s for the city and around 60 for the suburbs. Look for more clouds than sun with highs the low 80s. There could be a few spotty showers during the day.
Monday, May 20 2013 2:21 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:21:09 GMT
A picture taken of the rare Ben Franklin bust, valued at $3 million. The bust was stolen from a Brywn Mawr home in August.
A housekeeper has been sentenced to six years in federal prison in the theft of a Benjamin Franklin bust stolen in suburban Philadelphia and reportedly worth $3 million.Andrea Lawton, 47, of Mobile, Ala.,
A housekeeper has been sentenced to six years in federal prison in the theft of a Benjamin Franklin bust stolen in suburban Philadelphia and reportedly worth $3 million.Andrea Lawton, 47, of Mobile, Ala.,
The FDA on Tuesday issued a warning about the possible treatment known as "Z-Pak."
