A commonly used antibiotic has been linked to a higher risk of deaths from heart problems, research suggests.
Experts found that patients treated with clarithromycin had a significantly higher risk of cardiac death compared to patients who were given another type of antibiotic.
Danish experts examined more than 160,000 people aged 40 to 74 across Denmark who received a seven-day course of clarithromycin and compared them to the 4.3 million who were prescribed penicillin V.
During the follow-up period, 285 people died from a cardiac problem while on the drugs − 18 people on clarithromycin, 235 people on penicillin V and 32 on another antibiotic roxithromycin. The researchers found that ongoing use of clarithromycin, which is widely used for treating common bacterial infections, has a 76 per cent higher risk of cardiac death compared to those who used penicillin V.
But they found that past use of the drug was not associated with an increased risk of death. Use of roxithromycin was also not associated with an increased risk.
The authors wrote in their study published on thebmj.com: “Acute cardiac toxicity is an increasingly recognised potential adverse effect of antimicrobial drug treatment.
“In this study, we investigated the risk of cardiac death associated with the use of clarithromycin and roxithromycin, compared with penicillin V. Use of clarithromycin was associated with a significant 76 per cent higher risk of cardiac death. We observed no significant increase in risk with roxithromycin.
“In terms of absolute risk, use of clarithromycin would account for an estimated 37 excess cardiac deaths per one million courses. In subgroup analyses, the increase in risk with clarithromycin seemed to be driven by a strong association among women.”
But the authors stressed that more research needed to be conducted before the findings guided doctors on prescribing decisions.
The bottom line is no one should be taking antibiotics unless they absolutely have to
Commenting on the study, Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “All medications can come with side effects, which is why your doctor will always weigh up the risks before prescribing drugs to patients.
“More research is now needed to understand the effect of this antibiotic on the wider population. The bottom line is no one should be taking antibiotics unless they absolutely have to and doctors should give careful consideration before prescribing them.
“If you are taking clarithromycin at the moment, you should not stop without discussing this further with your GP.”
Andrew Seaton, consultant in infectious diseases and general medicine at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, added: “As we have all heard recently, antibiotics can be overused and may be unnecessarily prescribed − in conditions where antibiotics are required, alternatives to clarithromycin should be considered when other risk factors for QTc prolongation (including clarithromycin metabolism inhibiting drugs, and certain heart conditions) are evident.”