FDA warns about increased risk of cancer relapse with long-term use of azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax) antibiotic after donor stem cell transplant
The French study which the FDA based a recent safety announcement on had to be discontinued after two years because the rate of the return of cancer and even death was too high in those patients with cancers of the blood or lymph nodes who undergo a donor stem cell transplant and were taking the antibiotic azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax) long term to prevent a certain inflammatory lung condition [LUNG GVHD/BOS].
While this FDA Safety Announcement focuses on those taking azithromycin long term as a measure to prevent Lung GVHD/BOS, if you’re like me and you have been taking it long term to treat Lung GVHD/BOS, you also might want to discuss this announcement with your oncologist and consider whether or not the risks exceed the benefits.
After discussion with my oncologist I have decided to discontinue taking the antibiotic after having taken it now for over eight years. I will undergo a PFT in a couple of months to see if there has been any further degradation to my lungs as a result of discontinuing the drug.
You can read the full FDA announcement here and you can read the announcement from the drug manufacturer here.
Best of luck to you all.
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