The azithromycin drug labels have been updated to strengthen the Warnings and Precautions section with information related to the risk of QT interval prolongation and torsades de pointes, a specific, rare heart rhythm abnormality. Information has also been added regarding the results of a clinical QT study which showed that azithromycin can prolong the QTc interval. (see Data Summary)
Health care professionals should consider the risk of fatal heart rhythms with azithromycin when considering treatment options for patients who are already at risk for cardiovascular events (see Additional Information for Health Care Professionals below). FDA notes that the potential risk of QT prolongation with azithromycin should be placed in appropriate context when choosing an antibacterial drug: Alternative drugs in the macrolide class, or non-macrolides such as the fluoroquinolones, also have the potential for QT prolongation or other significant side effects that should be considered when choosing an antibacterial drug.
FDA released a statement on May 17, 2012, about a New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) study that compared the risks of cardiovascular death in patients treated with the antibacterial drugs azithromycin, amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin (Cipro), and levofloxacin (Levaquin), or no antibacterial drug.1The study reported an increase in cardiovascular deaths, and in the risk of death from any cause, in persons treated with a 5-day course of azithromycin (Zithromax) compared to persons treated with amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, or no drug. The risks of cardiovascular death associated with levofloxacin treatment were similar to those associated with azithromycin treatment.
FDA will update health care professionals and the public with any relevant information that becomes available about azithromycin and the risk of abnormal heart rhythms.
Data Summary
The study published in NEJM suggested a higher risk of cardiovascular deaths and deaths from any cause in persons treated with a 5-day course of azithromycin compared to persons treated with amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, or no drug.1
The study has important limitations. First, patients were not randomized to the antibacterial drugs studied, so patients who received different drugs might have differed in ways that could have biased the results. Second, the study only examined antibacterial drugs used in an outpatient setting, so it is likely that few patients were being treated for severe or life-threatening infections. Third, cardiovascular deaths were determined using death certificates rather than full medical records. Fourth, there were also some limitations to the statistical methods used.
On balance, however, the study was methodologically sound and supports the validity of the overall finding. The estimated excess risk of cardiovascular death compared with amoxicillin varied considerably with the patients’ baseline cardiovascular risk, from roughly 1 in 111,000 among healthier patients to 1 in 4,100 among high-risk patients. The duration of the elevated risk of all-cause mortality and of cardiovascular death corresponded to the duration of azithromycin therapy. The increase in total deaths was due to cardiovascular deaths and not due to an increase in deaths from other causes. The excess risk of cardiovascular death, especially of sudden death, is consistent with arrhythmias from drug-related QT prolongation.
FDA also evaluated the results of a clinical QT study conducted by the manufacturer assessing the effects of azithromycin on the QT interval in adults. The results of the study indicated that azithromycin prolonged the QTc interval. Information regarding the results of the QT study has been added to the Zithromax drug label.
References
1. Ray WA, Murray KT, Hall K, et al. Azithromycin and the risk of cardiovascular death. N Engl J Med 2012;366:1881-1890.
2.Source: IMS Health Vector One National Total Patient Tracker
