Clarithromycin

[PositiveThoughts]

Any thought on this today its my drug in reserve.

dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

[MarieW-F]

It's the Daily Fail. I won't click on the link but I bet once you get past the headline there will be something along the lines of its not that bad really. Every drug has side effects. The drugs I am on give me an increased risk of cancer - I still take them. Is it your rescue pack drug? Then its not like you are taking it on a regular basis as a prophylactic. I don't mean to sound flippant but if you are really concerned about the article speak to your GP, don't rely on the Daily Mail to report in a serious balanced matter about anything.

marie x

[Puffthemagicdragon in reply to MarieW-F]

You're right about " not that bad really " .

" The absolute risk difference was 37 cardiac deaths per one million courses with Clarithromycin " .

[PositiveThoughts]

Thank you for your thoughts on it..

[hufferpuffer]

Hello Positive Thoughts, There are so many types of AB's, I don't like taking any but they always give me Amoxycilon, ( spelt wrong) if I get an infection and I have them in reserve, I usually end up taking them for two weeks but luckily not since Sept.2013 have I had the need for them. I believe my positive thoughts keep colds etc; at bay! I would ask the doctor what he thinks about them, have a great day! huff x

[AbbyRudi]

My husband is just finishing a course of clarithromycin prescribed by his consultant. There are other antibiotics that can affect the heart as well, plus inhalers, etc. However, even the study described in the DailyMail says it is only a very small risk and only for those people who have or are disposed to a particular type of heart problem. If you look at the inserts for any prescribed drug the list of possible problems is as long as your arm (if written in a type face the average human over 21 could read without struggling.) Gosh, if table salt came with a list of risks we'd think it was a poison and never use it.

[sassy59]

Pete also has this drug in reserve in case he has an exacerbation and he has done very well on it up to now. I don't read what the papers say or we would all be dead by now according to them. Pete is on statins too so has no hope if you believe the media....or maybe on another day he does?! Confused? I know I am. Take care. xxx

[Hidden]

It's the antibiotic I find most effective and I take a double dose for a fortnight about every three months. I do worry a little about taking it, especially as I take Azithromycin daily as a prophylactic. Usually I stop taking the azithro while taking the clarithro. As somebody else mentioned, most of the inhalers carry heart warnings as well and it's hard not to feel occasionally apprehensive, especially when you have palpitations. But the word always seems to be that the risk is for people with already existing heart conditions or a propensity towards them. Getting at least an annual heart check can help to ease this worry so speak to your doctor maybe.

[Tazzy2]

Scare headlines sell papers full stop and they don't care who is distressed in the process.

[Dragonmum]

I think we should all stop reading the Fail - it can seriously damage your health...................!

[mskpjb]

I was prescribed Clarithromycin as a permanent antibiotic- taken every day- for four years. I stopped it myself two years ago. Glad I did ! Sheila x