Study: No Z-Pak Heart Risk for Most Adults

A common antibiotic does not increase the risk of heart-related death for young and middle-aged adults without heart problems, a new study finds. Earlier research found an increased risk among people with heart disease who took azithromycin. This drug is also known by the brand names Zithromax or Z-Pak. The new study looked at 1.1 million people who took azithromycin for infections. They were compared with 1.1 million who did not take antibiotics and 7 million who took penicillin V. Patients were ages 18 through 64. People were 3 times as likely to die of heart disease or stroke while taking either antibiotic. Death rates were similar for both drugs. Researchers said the higher risk appeared to be related to the infection rather than to the treatment. The U.S. label for azithromycin and antibiotics similar to it carries a warning.