What is a potential side effect of Azithromycin in patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions?

Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that can lead to significant side effects, particularly in patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions. One of the notable risks associated with Azithromycin is the potential for cardiac arrhythmias, especially torsades de pointes, which is a specific type of life-threatening arrhythmia. This risk is heightened in patients who have underlying heart issues, as these conditions may already predispose them to dysfunctional heart rhythms.

While other side effects like nausea, rash, and headaches can occur with Azithromycin, they are generally less severe and do not carry the same level of risk for patients with compromised cardiac health. This makes the association of Azithromycin with cardiac arrhythmias particularly concerning in these patients, warranting close monitoring and, in some cases, reconsideration of its use.