Antibiotics and arrhythmia

Posted by jenrev @jenrev, Nov 7, 2021

I am looking for peoples' experiences with arrhythmias arising as side effects while on antibiotics. There is research out there that says azithromycin (Z-pac) can trigger arrhythmias even in non-heart patients. I have had A-fib and PVCs for years and am currently on amoxycillin for potential infection after an injury. After just two days of dosing I had 24 hours of irregular heartbeats nearly nonstop. I don't know whether ot ask my PCP to prescribe something else. Or it's coincidence? Your thoughts, please. Thanks.

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 7, 2021

If you have a heart condition, any change in heart rhythm that accompanies a change in medication should be reported to your doctor asap. They will evaluate and determine of you need to stop or change medication.
If I remember correctly, and antibiotic can cause a change, it is just more likely with the class of drugs called macrolides, which inclus azithromycin but not amoxicillin.
Still, it bears reporting - have you called yet?
Sue

windyshores | @windyshores | Nov 8, 2021

Zithromax can prolong the QT interval, which can the cause some arrhythmias, and should be checked out immediately.

angieb16 | @angieb16 | Jan 20, 2023

Antibiotics and non medicated irregular heartbeat
Hello this is my first post…so I’ve been having a fast heart rate and left chest and arm pain I’ve been to the ER twice this week so they did all testing including EKG and EKG came back that I have an irregular heartbeat but nothing major just to follow up with my cardiologist and I had a UTI I went to cardiologist and she told me same thing but that it was benign nothing to worry about and she requested a 24hr heart monitor just waiting for the results but now they gave me some antibiotics for my UTI called CIPROFLOXACIN 500mg but scared to take because I feel it might trigger something should I be worried? Anyone have experience with this

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 21, 2023

In reply to @angieb16 "Antibiotics and non medicated irregular heartbeat Hello this is my first post…so I’ve been having a..." + (show)

Welcome @angieb16, I moved your message to this existing discussion about antibiotics and irregular heartbeat.
- Antibiotics and arrhythmia: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/antibiotics-and-arrhythmia/

I did this so you can read the previous posts and connect with members like @jenrev @windyshores and @sueinmn

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