Possible side effects and solutions of taking Azithromycin from Pfizer
Azithromycin, as a commonly used antibiotic, has side effects mainly involving gastrointestinal reactions, prolonged QT interval in the heart, and allergic reactions. Most symptoms are mild and can be relieved on their own, but severe arrhythmias or allergies require immediate medical attention. The following provides a detailed explanation from three aspects: common side effects, serious adverse reactions, and corresponding measures.
1. Common side effects and treatment
(1) Gastrointestinal reactions: About 30% of patients experience diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. It is recommended to take after meals and supplement electrolyte solutions to prevent dehydration.
(2) Headache and dizziness: usually mild and brief, avoid driving or operating precision instruments until symptoms subside.
(3) Taste abnormality: 5-10% of patients report a metallic taste, which can be restored within 72 hours after discontinuation of medication.
2 Serious Adverse Reactions to Be Cautious of
(1) Cardiotoxicity: May cause QT interval prolongation, manifested as palpitations and fainting, and the risk increases threefold when combined with antiarrhythmic drugs.
(2) Allergic reactions: Urticaria, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing require immediate discontinuation of medication and emergency treatment.
(3) Liver injury: jaundice and clay colored stool should be checked for liver function, with an incidence rate of about 0.1%.
3 Precautions for Special Groups
(1) Pregnant women: Pregnant women need to weigh the pros and cons of using it during pregnancy. Animal experiments have shown that high doses can cause fetal arrhythmia.
(2) Liver dysfunction: Children Pugh C grade patients will have their dose halved and their ALT/AST levels monitored.
(3) Elderly people are more prone to hearing impairment and head to head twisting and ventricular tachycardia. It is recommended that the treatment period not exceed 5 days.
4 Drug Interaction Management
(1) Antacids: Aluminum/magnesium preparations reduce absorption by 50% and should be taken every 2 hours.
(2) Warfarin: Enhance anticoagulant effect, increase INR monitoring frequency to twice a week during combination use.
(3) Digoxin: Increase its blood concentration by 1.5 times and monitor for arrhythmia symptoms.
Disclaimer：《Possible side effects and solutions of taking Azithromycin from Pfizer》Edited and sorted by Seagull Pharmacy's editors. Please contact us in time if there is any infringement. In addition, the suggestions for drug usage, dosage and disease mentioned in the article are only for medical staff's reference, and can not be used as any basis for medication！