Common antibiotics may disrupt heart rhythm, expert warns

Macrolide antibiotics, such as azithromycin and clarithromycin, may disrupt heart rhythm and increase the risk of arrhythmia, warns cardiologist Dr. Denis Sokolov. These antibiotics can affect the electrical activity of the heart, particularly in patients already struggling with heart rhythm disorders. The issue arises when these antibiotics inhibit potassium channels in heart cells, disrupting the repolarization process and lengthening the QT interval on an electrocardiogram.

The QT interval measures the time between the start of the Q wave and the end of the T wave, indicating the period of depolarization and repolarization in the heart's ventricles. An extended QT interval could raise the likelihood of developing arrhythmias. Sokolov cautioned that the risk amplifies if the patient is concurrently taking other drugs that impact heart rhythm, like certain antiarrhythmics and antidepressants. These medications can exacerbate the negative effects of the antibiotics when used together.