FDA warns against long-term azithromycin use for some

(HealthDay)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning patients with cancers of the blood or lymph nodes who undergo a donor stem cell transplant not to take azithromycin, as long-term use of the antibiotic has been associated with increased risk of cancer relapse.

In a clinical trial, azithromycin was being used to prevent bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in patients with cancers of the blood or lymph nodes who underwent a donor stem cell transplant. However, long-term use of the antibiotic was tied to cancer relapse and death.

“Health care professionals should not prescribe long-term azithromycin for prophylaxis of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome to patients who undergo donor stem cell transplants because of the increased potential for cancer relapse and death,” the agency said in a statement.

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