3-Day Azithromycin (Z-Pak) for Bilateral Pneumonia — HOW Bad for Hearing/Tinnitus?

[Fanny1]

LURKER HERE... sorry.

My teenager has bilateral pneumonia... Coronavirus possibly... Waiting on the test results.

How damaging is a 3 day course of Azithromycin for hearing/tinnitus?

They gave him both Amoxicillin and the Z-Pak, but I'm nervous reading reports about Azithromycin.

Thanks! Hoping for a quick answer.

 

[Lane]

Hi @Fanny1 -- If the pneumonia is caused by the coronavirus, the antibiotic azithromycin will not be appropriate to use, as it's only effective against bacterial infections. Doctors know this, but it's amazing how many will still prescribe antibiotics for viral infections. -- I would be very cautious about giving your teenager this drug, especially if they already have tinnitus.

 

[FGG]

Do they think he has a secondary bacterial pneumonia? Azithromycin at that dose is fine for 99% of people (if not more). Males are even less susceptible to problems with it, apparently (might be a function of body weight. though).

To give you an idea. I had an extremely high dose of Azithromycin (higher than a Z pack) and had to be on it for many weeks before it damaged my ears. I am terrified of having to take antibiotics again but it's *only* because I already have ototoxic damage to my ears. I took Z packs once every few years prior with no issue before the high dose.

Problems with Amoxicillin are probably even rarer, if at all.

Hope he feels better soon.

 

[FGG]

@Lane, if you look at the China data, a lot of the viral pneumonia cases were complicated by secondary (opportunistic) bacterial infection. Especially, the more severe cases. Without knowing the case, this could be an example of that.

Edit: But I agree I would want a confirmation that it is what they were thinking in this case first.

 

[Fanny1]

Thank you... what a cluster (sigh)

 

[Jaysterk]

Antibiotics DO NOT TREAT viral infections.

Furthermore, if it did, then we wouldn't have this Coronavirus issue we are currently in.

 

[aot]

Thank you... what a cluster (sigh)

Does your son have tinnitus?

 

[Lane]

Edit: But I agree I would want a confirmation that it is what they were thinking in this case first.

I guess in my round about way, that's what I was getting at as well. Just didn't spell it out quite so clearly.

 

[Fanny1]

The reason for the Azithromycin is exactly in case of secondary bacterial infection... a teen could simply have bilateral pneumonia... but that is a symptom of coronavirus too.

Just waiting on the test results... will start on Amoxicillin... and wait on the Azithromycin until the test comes in... If it's coronavirus... then no Azithromycin, like you all said... no good for viral... but otherwise the doctor didn't have any better ideas.

A longer course of Amoxicillin would take longer to work on the "bacterial" pneumonia.... if that's what it is.

I have pretty severe tinnitus, but my teen doesn't... so just being protective.

They all list hearing loss or tinnitus... Biaxin is the same family, and Levaquin seems worse.

The literature says hearing loss/tinnitus are a "rare" complication unless a long treatment of Azithromycin... but it's terrible how a search on here listed so many with the "rare" complication.

Thanks.

 

[FGG]

The reason for the Azithromycin is exactly in case of secondary bacterial infection... a teen could simply have bilateral pneumonia... but that is a symptom of coronavirus too.

Just waiting on the test results... will start on Amoxicillin... and wait on the Azithromycin until the test comes in... If it's coronavirus... then no Azithromycin, like you all said... no good for viral... but otherwise the doctor didn't have any better ideas.

A longer course of Amoxicillin would take longer to work on the "bacterial" pneumonia.... if that's what it is.

I have pretty severe tinnitus, but my teen doesn't... so just being protective.

They all list hearing loss or tinnitus... Biaxin is the same family, and Levaquin seems worse.

The literature says hearing loss/tinnitus are a "rare" complication unless a long treatment of Azithromycin... but it's terrible how a search on here listed so many with the "rare" complication.

Thanks.

Just to be clear "secondary bacterial pneumonia" means a virus came first but the lungs were severely affected enough for opportunistic infections to set up shop so to speak. If they are still waiting for results, it wouldn't be diagnosed as a "secondary" bacterial pneumonia.

They should be able to tell viral pneumonia from bacterial in most cases based on bloodwork and imaging.

It sounds like they are working him up and that's good but maybe ask for clarification.

 

[Roberts 44]

I was given azithromycin for same issue and it created severe tinnitus. Never had this issue prior. It's been 3 weeks. Anyone have experience with it going away or is this permanent damage?

 

[dan]

Trump said to take Azithromycin + Chloroquine....

 

[Lilah]

I have taken Z-pak several times (most recently for traveler's diarrhea from my February work trip to Guatemala) and noticed no difference in my tinnitus. Hard to say since mine fluctuates, but no long term changes.

 

[Juan]

How damaging is a 3 day course of Azithromycin for hearing/tinnitus?

It's a very standard medication, for a very short time. I think it should be ok.