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Macrolide and fluoroquinolone mediated cardiac arrhythmias: clinical considerations and comprehensive review
Postgraduate Medicine
  • Elyse M. Cornett, Louisiana State University Health Science Center
  • Matthew B. Novitch, Medical College of Wisconsin
  • Alan David Kaye, Louisiana State University Health Science Center
  • Chris A. Pann, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
  • Harish Siddaiah Bangalore, Louisiana State University in Shreveport
  • Gregory Allred, Louisiana State University in Shreveport
  • Matthew Bral, Louisiana State University in Shreveport
  • Preya K. Jhita, Louisiana State University in Shreveport
  • Adam M. Kaye, University of the Pacific
ORCiD
Adam M. Kaye: 0000-0002-7224-3322
Document Type
Article
DOI
10.1080/00325481.2017.1362938
Publication Date
10-3-2017
Abstract

While there is evidence for cardiac arrhythmias associated with macrolide and fluoroquinolone antibiotics, there is still debate among health care providers as to whether this risk of arrhythmia is overstated. A joint panel of the US Food and Drug Administration suggested that macrolide and fluoroquinolone labels need much stronger warnings regarding the possible serious adverse cardiac effects associated with these antibiotics, especially since they are so widely prescribed. And while health care providers may differ on the pertinence of the cardiac risks associated with antibiotic use, they can undoubtedly minimize the cardiac effects that are associated with these antibiotics by paying attention to the cardiac risk factors and drug history associated with the patient. Relevant studies for our review were identified from a PubMed search using keywords and combined word searches involving macrolides, fluoroquinolones, and cardiac arrhythmias. We attempted to include as many recent (>2015) articles as possible. We included case reports, randomized, controlled trials, observational studies, case-control studies, systematic reviews, and retrospective studies. Underlying cardiac issues can predispose patients to harmful cardiac side effects that can be exacerbated in the presence of antibiotics. The health care provider should rule out any risk factor associated with antibiotic-induced cardiac arrhythmia in the event that a patient does need a macrolide or fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Rigorous patient evaluation and a detailed patient history, including short and long term medication use, is the likely key to reducing any risk of cardiac arrhythmias associated with macrolides and fluoroquinolones. Clinicians should be cautious when prescribing macrolide and fluoroquinolone medications to patients with risk factors that may lead to antibiotic-induced cardiac arrhythmias, including a slow heart rate and those that are taking medications to treat arrhythmias.

Citation Information
Elyse M. Cornett, Matthew B. Novitch, Alan David Kaye, Chris A. Pann, et al.. "Macrolide and fluoroquinolone mediated cardiac arrhythmias: clinical considerations and comprehensive review" Postgraduate Medicine Vol. 129 Iss. 7 (2017) p. 715 - 724 ISSN: 1941-9260
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/adam-kaye/147/