Drug-induced Long QT syndrome

I've been taking an antibiotic that says it can cause Long-QT syndrome. I've googled it and read lots of good articles about it, but the one thing I can't find is this: If you're taking a med that can cause this, and you stop taking it, will it go away, or do you have to have medical intervention?

Chances that I have Long-QT syndrome are undoubtedly rare, but I'm a huge worrywort (I have MVPS and lately have been having palpitations that are only relieved by taking magnesium, and I just started taking Coenzyme Q10 and acetyl-l-carnitine, which also seem to help), so anytime there's anything about possible heart problems mentioned where meds are concerned, I get pretty anxious.

Anyway ... I am planning to see my cardiologist in the next couple of weeks and will ask for a 12-point EKG just to be on the safe side, but until then, any reassurances or just info I can get would be helpful. Thanks!

[stevie_wonder]

Hi,
Drug-induced long qt syndrome goes away shortly after the medication is stopped. If you don't have a family history of sudden death or symptoms yourself such as fainting/seizures, (palpitations are not a symptom of LQTS) you are probably okay.

It wouldn't hurt to ask for an ECG to ease your mind. Chances are though your cardiologist won't be too concerned. I have the genetic form and stress to doctors all the time that I need to avoid all QT-prolonging medications and you would be shocked at how many times these medications have been prescribed to me and my children despite having been warned. Just recently my 13 year old son was prescribed not one but two different medications at the same time and the doctor was quite rude when I questioned her about it. She wouldn't listen and told me the medications were fine. I knew they weren't and double checked with the pharmacist and I was right and the doctor was wrong.

We need to be our own advocates when it comes to our health. Sad but true.

[ed34]

It is one of those side effects which affects very few people. If a medication was to suddenly interfere with the signals on your heart, you would normally notice this. I believe that an extra delay in depolarization would be noticeable in any exertion from how you normally feel.

[kenkeith]

Some individuals with MVP are often predisposed to electrocardiographic abnormalities of ventricular repolarization, which requires annual cardiologic evaluation.  Its not uncommon for healthy subjects to have a QT interval above the limit. MVP is associated with PVC's and mild QT prolongation and is not uncommon (about 5% of the population).

Don't stop taking your medication, and consult with your doctor regarding MVP and the concomitant long QT interval...not an unexpected event and the underlying cause should be treated. Hope this helps and thanks for sharing.  Take care.

[saann]

Thank you all for the replies. I do feel better about it, and will ask my cardio to check for it next time I go in.

[kenkeith]

Your welcome, and if there is a helpful or confirming report from your doctor we would appreciate the information.

[stevie_wonder]

Unfortunately there is no way to physically feel a delay in depolarization such as prolonged QT. A prolonged QT can lead to torsades de pointe VT which is usually a very fast rhythm and there is no warning before you pass out.

[ed34]

Yes I've been looking a bit more into this. The only way to tell is from a EKG. Apparently the biggest cause of this VT is the mixture of the two drugs Seldane and erythromycin,
I don't know how you can wait to have the EKG, I would be climbing the walls with anxiety.

[kenkeith]

Don't be unnecessarily alarm saann (worrywart) :)!.   MVP is associated with PVC's and mild QT prolongation and is not uncommon (about 5% of the population).  
Your  doctor has your medical history, results of blood tests, concomitant issues if any, etc.
There are many drugs, electrolytic imbalance, etc. that can be the underlying cause, and easily treated so don't be alarmed when someone suggests two drugs that can cause the underlying cause...I don't read you are on that medication.

The fact you find magnesium provides relief of your symptoms may be an indication there is a electrolyte imbalance. Your doctor or you can't rule no pain with significance regarding deploration delay.  The conduction flow of electrical impulses with polarization and depolarization of heart cells can cause a skipped or early heartbeat and it is not uncommon phenomonon..  

[saann]

That's interesting about the electrolyte imbalance idea. I had to go to the ER a couple of years ago with atrial fibrillation, and they discovered I was low on potassium. They made me drink this incredibly awful stuff in orange juice (I've heard other people say they had to get a potassium IV which hurt like h-e-double-hockey-sticks, so I'll take the drink over that any day!) I do have a potassium supplement I sometimes take, but it interferes with one of the Rx's I'm taking (don't remember if it's Tarka or Bentyl), so I kinda stopped taking it.

I was supposed to have a colonoscopy this week for lower abd. pain, but had to cancel it. Now I'm glad, because I've been reading that doing the clean-out can cause an electrolyte imbalance, and I do not want to go there! I think I'll ask my cardio before I do anything like that. The last thing I want is to have diarrhea AND atrial fibrillation! lol

[kenkeith]

Interesting response!  Thanks for that.