Nurse Teaching: Contraindications for Using Zithromax

Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Zithromax as follows:

  1. Patients with history of antibiotic associated diarrhea must be cautious about using Zithromax. Discuss with your doctor regarding your history of the same.
  2. Patients with history of opportunistic infections must be cautious about using Zithromax. Discuss with your doctor regarding your history of the same.
  3. Patients with history of diminished hearing and ototoxicity are at increased risk for hearing loss with Zithromax. Discuss with your doctor regarding safety with Zithromax use.
  4. Zithromax should be avoided in individuals with history of cardiac arrhythmias, as it has the potential to exacerbate any underlying arrhythmias. Such individuals upon taking Zithromax could present with irregular heartbeats and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Individuals with history of chronic disturbance in serum magnesium and potassium ions are at increased risk for arrhythmias. Also, individuals taking Lasix are at increased risk for losing potassium, thus setting the ground for life-threatening arrhythmias, upon taking Zithromax.
  5. Long term Zithromax intake can lead to hepatic injury, thus compromising liver function. So, Zithromax is contraindicated in individuals with history of hepatic injury and altered liver functions.
  6. Long term Zithromax intake can lead to renal injury, thus compromising renal function. So, Zithromax is contraindicated in individuals with history of diminished renal function.
  7. Zithromax undergoes minimal metabolism in the body and is primarily excreted in the bile unchanged. Individuals with history of biliary obstruction and stasis tend to retain the drug in the body longer, thus resulting in toxicity. Zithromax should be avoided or used with extreme caution in such individuals.
  8. Individuals with history of seizures and hallucinations can present with exacerbation of these symptoms with Zithromax. Zithromax should be avoided or used with extreme caution in individuals with seizure history.
  9. Zithromax intake can increase the risk for skin rash and photosensitivity. Individuals with history of photosensitivity and taking Zithromax should avoid natural and bright lights or use sunscreens, to prevent any photosensitive responses from developing.