FDA Warns About Popular Z-Pak Antibiotic

It's used to help you get over most colds, but the medicine you depend on to help you get well could put you at an even greater health risk. Zithromax, an antibiotic commonly called a Z-Pak is linked to fatal heart problems. The Food and Drug Administration reports, the drug can cause an irregular heart rhythm in some patients that could be potentially fatal. Dr. William Barron with Enterprise Pediatrics said physicians have been getting away from the antibiotics with children, but it remains popular with adults.

"There's always been some knowledge that there was a potential of heart irregularities with Zithromax, but this is the strongest warning they've come out about on it," continued Barron.

Barron said the drug's popularity may dwindle as more people become aware of the potential problems."It would be used less because more people will be nervous about it. The most important thing to do is make sure your doctor knows your medical history and your child's medical history."

Another medical concern coming out is the Pertussis vaccine for children. The vaccine is proving not to be as effective in protecting kids against Whooping Cough."Its ability to keep us from getting Pertussis wanes more rapidly than we thought. It's not a question of protection. It does protect, it just wanes with time," explained Barron.

Kids get the Pertussis vaccine at two, four, six, and 15 months. They get a booster at five and 11, but the number of Whooping Cough cases is up between the ages of seven and 10. "They recommend they give boosters between the age of five and 11, right now that's a possibility. I think the take home from this is the children who get Pertussis and have the most problems are infants and small children. It's really important that people get their vaccine when they're scheduled so those little ones are protected," said Barron.