Zithromax and palpitations - please help!

My doctor prescribed me Zithromax (z-pack for 5 days) after I have had bronchitis now for a long time.  I was so terrified of this medication because I've heard it can cause heart palpitations and ventricular arrhythmias I didn't even take it until the illness got so bad I almost couldn't get out of bed.  Well, I finally broke down and took it because I am so sick and am on day 2 and am having real scary palpitations.  My doctor assured me this would not happen.  Anyone else have this with Zithromax?  Am I dying?  I am terrified to death - I hate this so much!  I have to get over this illness (and I've already tried penicillin which failed) and am so afraid I am going to DIE doing it.  Also, it's close to menstrual time so that may play a role but I really think the Z-pack is causing this.  Can anyone help?

[jpcox]

I was on this two weeks ago for bronchitis, and I did not have any weird symptoms from it. I also called my doctor and asked about the irregular heartbeat and he was not concerned at all.  You might want to give your doctor a call and see what he says.
Good luck

[dolfnlvr]

First of all....thank goodness you are back.

Secondly it is likely that you have gotten yourself so worked up over the fact that the z-pack may cause palpitations that your anxiety is causing a majority of the symptoms.  Illness, and lethargy are MAJOR contributors to our arhythmias and you add in the hormonal fluxuations you are going through right now and things become that much more complex.  You said yourself that you were terrified of the Zithromax prior to ever taking it.  I think that, between the illness and your anxiety over the fact that you might have palpitations you've worked up your adrenaline level to where you ARE having them.

Now, when you say "scary palpitations" what do you mean?  Describe them.  Are they running fast like SVT or are they PVC's that are tumbling over one another?  You've dealt with these things many times in the past, what do you notice that makes these seem scarier (not that they aren't always scary)?  Are you feeling weak? Dizzy? Faint? Sick?  Or is it just that they are being particularly relentless right now?  Sometimes, when my PVC's get like that...like I never have a "regular" heart beat, the only thing I can do is fall asleep to try and make them go away, or at least make it so I don't notice them.  Since you are sick, you certainly won't be hurt by sleeping...and sleeping...and sleeping.  AND it would lower your metabolism and therefore your anxiety levels to boot.

I'm sorry you are feeling so poorly.  Please take care of yourself.

[fearfactor]

Hi!  This morning, I was having just frequent palpitations, like one every few minutes.  That's unusual for me because I normally get only a few a day.  I took a Klono wafer and an extra dose of beta blocker and they're gone.  I was drinking coffee (decaf) at the time.  Maybe that played a role.  I was just worried about the Zithromax because of the heart side effects.  It probably had more to do with other things than the medicine.

Thanks for answering!

[jkfrench]

Wow, I could have written that post.  My cardio put me on z-pak on Monday.  I was also worried but, he is a cardio doctor.  He also wanted me to take claritin (not Claritin D).  I have severe bronchitis with a sore throat that has lasted two weeks.  Anyway, I haven't had any problems and only have two pills left.  The only thing I have noticed is that I'm having strange and I mean strange dreams.  I agree that your anxiety over taking them is probably making them a little worse.  I haven't taken the claritin yet because I want to make sure that the z-pak doesn't cause problems.  Then I'll try the claritin.  If I do both, I won't know which ones could have caused the palps if I get them.  I've never been this sick it must be a really horrible virus going around.  Luckily I have had no fever but the cough is crazy.  Plus the throat thing.  Has anyone tried Claritin???  Any problems???
I've also had luck with Cipro.  I don't know if that is for what we have, but that doesn't cause any trouble for me.

Now if I can just get over the fear of botox causing my heart to act up  :).  

Frenchie

[maggiemag]

Has anyone actually tried thinking POSITIVE about life.  Just maybe if you all would not automatically think of the worst thing that may happen, then things just may go well?  Try having an attitude of acceptance about life.  If this is what I am handed in life, then by God I am still going to make the best of it, not lie down sucking my thumb.  If I am thrown a little wrinkle in life, I will go with the flow and NOT fight it 100% of the time.  Relax.  And yes, I DO know what it is like, but I choose to live my life.  It's just an antibiotic, for lord's sake.  Try keeping things in perspective.

[Celeste77]

Sorry to hear your not feeling well, but I'm glad to see you back here.

About Z-pak and the heart: There were over 45 million prescriptions of Azithromycin filled in the year 2006. Research shows that arrhythmia's associated with Azithromycin, namely Torsade de Pointes, in the absence of congenital Long QT syndrome or a history of long QT, was very, very rare. (Torsade is very rare anyway) Infact, the pro-arrhythmic effect seen of another macrolide, Erythromycin, was actually attenuated or blocked by Azithromycin.
Try to take some comfort in that...  :)

When I took Z-Pak years ago, I actually noticed a decline in my PVC's. Let's hope you see the same soon!!

Get better!

[fearfactor]

Thanks, guys!  Much appreciated support.

[jkfrench]

I'm finishing my z-pak today.  Do you think it is okay to have a drink tomorrow?  I'm not a big drinker but we are going to some friends for dinner and I usually have a martini.
Also, my sinus infection is still raging so it didn't help that.  It did help the bronchitis.
Maybe I'm dealing with allergies.  I'll ask again..has anyone had any problems with Claritin?
Thanks
Frenchie

[fearfactor]

I never have taken Claritin since I started with the palp thing. It helped my allergies in the past when I did take it but I haven't tried it for a long time.  I am on day 3 of my zpak and no palps today (thank God!), I do feel better from my coughing and bronchitis and plan on drinking tonight cause it's my wedding anniversary!  I don't think it would hurt but I guess if you're concerned call a pharmacy or doctor.  

[sugarpea013]

This forum is for support. I was going to bite my tongue after your comment, beings everyone else ignored you...but I can't just sit here and NOT say something. I'm sure when you were going throw the worst of your anxiety over heart issues, the last thing you wanted to hear was someone being cruel and cold. Anxiety is just as much an illness as our heart problems. I absolutely agree 100% about your comment about thinking positive, but holy heck how can you sit there and preach that when you are spewing word vomit from your mouth. Take a hike

[PVC man]

I have taken Zithromax MANY times; it is a drug of choice for me as I am penicillin sensitive.  I have NEVER had a problem with it...of course everyone reacts differently to drugs but I ALWAYS do fine with zithromax...of course I never read the package insert...if I had then I probably would have gotten a TON of PVCs...LOL...the mind is VERY POWERFUL and certainly the anxiety could exacerbate the PVCs.  Its gotten to the point where I sometimes deliberatley IGNORE the package insert as it CAN SCARE you with that list of 10,000 side effects.

Feel better!!!

I agree with sugarpea 200% on the maggiemag posting...very insensitive...there have been times I have spent DAYS trying to decide whether or not to take a drug I  thought might make me get palpitations so maggie your comments are uncalled for...

[jkfrench]

Let me know if you had any problems with the drinking.  What do you drink?  I have found that Bellevedere Vodka is one of the only drinks I can have without suffering from pvc's or fast rate later on in the night.  Is white wine okay?  I was told not to drink red but don't know why.
I think I might just stick with Benedryl.  I know that one doesn't bother me and I am having wierd allergy problems.  Never had them before.  It is a feeling as if my upper throat (like behind my nose) is swollen and it is hard to breath through my nose.  Then I focus on it and it feels like my entire throat is swelling up and I'll suffocate.  If it's not one thing, it's another.  :)

PVC man you are right about spending days trying to decide whether to take a drug or not.  I was told to start the claritin on Monday and here it is Friday and haven't taken it yet.
Have a great night
Frenchie

[Momto3]

Welcome back!  We missed you!  

Sorry about the bronchitis; hope you're feeling better.  We don't want you sick for Thanksgiving!!  Get well quick, please : )

I've been prescribed a Zpak, and didn't have any noticeable pvcs.  Hope that has resolved.  Take care!

connie

[PVC man]

jk french asked about alcohol...red wine does tend to give me a problem...I'm not sure why.

There have been times in my life when I could drink as much as I wanted with no PVCs..other times if I am having a bad day/week/month even one drink can increase them...but not intolerable for me.

I'm not an every day drinker but at a party/social function I'll be damned if I'm going to let a few PVCs get in the way of a few drinks...its weird...once I kind of tell my body that you don't care if the PVCs come or not when I drink I don't really get them...lol:)

I would have to say that red wine is the only one that gives me a little trouble...

Be well