Hello. I was just prescribed a z-pack (generic) to treat a localized tonsil infection.
Are there warning signs of QT Prolongation?
I took my first dose yesterday late morning. At dinner, I had this 20 second or so feeling of my heart fluttering or skipping a beat a few times.
Today was my second dose. Early evening, I felt a milder and shorter lasting similar symptom.
Could this be indicative of QTP?
Thank you!
Posted by LymeNotLymes (Member # 45544) on :
It could be. Zithromax messed with my heart badly but I don't have QT prolongation. It gave me a lot of pvcs (skipped beats) and some tachycardia. PVCs can lead to ventricular tachycardia, which is an emergency.
Most likely you're okay but it doesn't sound like a good drug for you.
Posted by SickSam (Member # 45330) on :
My understanding is that there aren't any symptoms of it until torsades de pointes (arrythmia with very fast heartbeat) occurs, which would be scary.
QT prolongation is a huge concern for me too, because I'm taking both diflucan and levaquin. Also bactrim, which has limited data showing possible qt prolongation.
I have an AliveCor ECG monitor attached to the back of my smart phone and use it to check my QT interval daily. It's probably not as accurate as an actual ECG, but it seems to be close enough for me. So far so good, and I've been on Levaquin almost a month.
Now if only the Levaquin would kill these bugs...
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
It can mess with the heart even if it's not from QT. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor.
Posted by jwick25 (Member # 15190) on :
Ok, I'll give a call today. I just hope that if it is doing something....it is not permanent.
I'm not going to take my day 3 pill until I talk to my doctor first.
Hopefully, stopping the pills won't cause other issues.....like the infection raging back.
Posted by jwick25 (Member # 15190) on :
Called doc. He prescribed amoxicillin instead.
Hoping they call me to give me some direction:
Can I start it right away after 2 days of Zith?
I can always ask the pharmacist.
I just hope this doesn't cause any crappy side effects, as this is going to coincide with my period....and I will be miserable enough as it is. Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
Don't think there will be any permanent damage. Glad your doctor was responsive. Don't see why you can't start it right away but good idea to check with pharmacist.
Posted by jwick25 (Member # 15190) on :
Hi WPinVA!
Both he and the pharmacist said I can start taking immediately.
He prescribed 500mg to be taken 3x a day. That seems pretty high considering I was on 250mg/day of Zith.
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