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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Antibiotics & Liver Damage
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Antibiotics & Liver Damage
by EH__0, Feb 17, 1998 12:00AM
Re: Antibiotics & Liver Damage
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Posted by HFHSM.d.-kb on March 11, 1998 at 13:09:01:
In Reply to: Antibiotics & Liver Damage posted by EH on February 17, 1998 at 21:40:18:
: I am writing because I am currently in the 39th day of a 90-day regimen of 250 mg of Zithromax per day to treated suspected Lyme Disease. My son's fiancé, an RN for 20 years, has warned me that this high-dose over such a long period may pose a risk to my liver and kidneys.
I am a 69-year-old woman who has been sick since March of last year with a sore throat, stiff neck, arthritic symptoms, muscle twitching, and fatigue. In April I found three ticks embedded in the back of my legs. I live in Suffolk County on Long Island, the area where Lyme Disease is most prevalent. I have all the symptoms of Lyme, though I've tested negative for the disease. Some other tests results were abnormal, including: WBC, RBC, HCT, MCH, RF, IGG, Total Protein, Complement C4, and Activated PTT. In addition to my internist, I've seen a neurologist, an infectious disease specialist, and a rheumatologist. My medical history includes rheumatic fever and chorea, from ages 7 to 13, and a mitral valve prolapse diagnosed at age 37.
Do you believe it is safe to continue taking the Zithromax? I am still ill and need some kind of treatment. In the past year, I've also had the following antibiotics:
Feb '97 - Dental visit with 4,500 MG of Amoxicillin. (mitral valve precaution)
April '97 - One week high dose of Bioxin to treat sore throat. (strep negative)
April '97 - Doxycline for 4 weeks to treat possible Lyme symptoms.
June '97 - 4,500 MG Amoxicillin during dental visit.
Sept '97 - 4,500 MG Amoxicillin during dental visit.
Jan/Feb '98 - Three dental visits with 2,000 MG of Amoxicillin each visit.
Thank you for any advice you can provide.
__________________________
Dear EH,
Zithromax is a new antibiotic similar to Erythromycin and has been associated with liver toxicity in some patients. What you should remeber is that liver toxicity is rare and may be seen with numerous antibiotics including the one you are taking. No one can predict who will develop a reaction. In addition, these reactions typically occur early in the course of the antibiotic and one could evaluate if you are having a problem by drawing some liver tests. If you have concerns, I would recommend you discuss this with your doctor and have some liver tests drawn and possibly followed periodically throughout your course of treatment. If your liver tests did become abnormal I would recommend stopping the Zithromax and changing to a different treatment for the Lyme disease.
This material is being presented for informational purposes only and should not be considered a formal evaluation. If you have specific questions, you should contact your physician.
If you are in the Detroit area and would like to be evaluated for Hepatitis C or for liver disease we would be happy to arrange a consultation with one of our hepatologists if you call 313-556-8865.
HFHSM.D.-kb
keywords; hepatitis, drug-induced liver disease
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