Cardiovascular Risks With Azithromycin and Other Antibacterial Drugs, Article Critique Example

The emergence of Medicaid program is to make sure that the lower-end earners in the overall status of the economy are still given the chance to be provided with the best healthcare that they need to protect themselves and the integrity of their health. However, because of financial subsidy, there are instances when the ones who present their Medicaid to the hospitals are given a much less expensive choice of medicine so they could afford to buy the said health requirements. Notably though, there are instances when such low-amount medicines also have low-grade effect on the patients if not even ready to offer specific side effects that could harm the patients directly.

Notably, it could be realized that one of the medicines provided to individuals presenting their Medicaid cards in pharmacies are given the choice to use Azithromycin compared to other medical versions such as amoxicillin. This has caused a great problem on the part of those giving attention to patients with cardiovascular problems. This is the reason why the group of Mosholder tried to examine the case deeper through seeing through the different paths that the said incident has taken through the past months. Relatively, their findings would greatly affect the welfare of patients suffering from cardiovascular irregularities.

Getting the opinion of FDA specifically makes their stidy more reliable for local readers who might not be that familiar with other drug-quality-assurance agencies existing in the market. Most often than not, FDA releases approvals on medicines that are considered harmless, or at least with the least side effect on the patients to use them. If in case there are anomalies that are related to specific ailments, FDA notes the said matter on the labels and medical manuals that are packed in with the said drug selections before they are even released in the market. Relatively though, labeling the medicine was not enough especially on the part of those who were already affected by the side effects of the drug.

This is the reason why it was deemed necessary to change the label of the drugs especially relating to the possibility of being taken by patients having anomalies with their cardiovascular functions. Accordingly, this was considered and was given particular attention to by individuals and organizations involved [especially that of the pharmaceutical companies]. Doctors and physicians were also given memos to make sure that they are updated of the said changes on how the medicine shall be used and applied in healing particular ailments in persons with cardiovascular anomalies. To make sure that the side effects and their impact on the health status of the patients are properly outlined, it could be realized that the creators of the said drug were motivated to put every specific side effect the medication may impose on anyone who takes the drug for medication. These specifications include a risk-warning dedicated to note the condition of patients who are noted to be suffering from QT-interval prolongation, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and other specific ailments related to cardiovascular functions.

To make the study more relatively reliable and practical for use in the field of modern medicine, Mosholder and his colleagues tried to support their presentation with researches from the past relating to the results of taking azithromycin among patients with cardiovascular problems. From these references, they were able to gather information that would back their claim that the said drug does have a strong impact on the integrity of the health status of the patients suffering from the said anomalies. One of the most used references in this study was that of the documentation regarding the increase of anomalies among patients who have taken the said drug and how their body responded to the matter. Some have been reported to have suffered from the incapability to be mobile.

Other references were also considered, especially those that came from highly recognized medical journals across the different regions of the world to see if there are particular elements relating to race and physical makeup of the patient that could actually add into the problem. Observational studies were noted accordingly to make the presentation even stronger. Hence, as a result, it is recommended by the team of Mosholder that medical practitioners should not give attention to azithromycin alone but all the others that has arrhythmogenic potentials. These medications may also affect the condition of patients with cardiovascular issues as the said specific drug does. Examining the effects of the drug directly on patients should provide a great source of confidence on whether or not the said group of drug consistencies may have a great effect on the condition of the people who may have been experiencing particular anomalies with cardiovascular issues.

Strong as the presentation of the researchers may be, it could be observed that its strength in manifesting the specific condition of the patients and the remarkable reliability of the drug still becomes questionable as their resources of information are limited. The prescriptions released on patients and the actual observation on the patients who were given the said medications were not as effective as expected to provide the documentation and discussion a higher value.

Nevertheless, what constitutes the strength of the entire article is the fact that it does provide a great sense of indication on what doctors must give attention to before they release any prescription to their patients. Understandably, it could be analyzed that such condition of precaution is necessary especially for those who are attending to patients already suffering from particular ailments. One specific source of competence that this article draws its value from is the reminder that it presents to the stakeholders [both the pharmaceutical companies and the physicians] regarding the possible result of careless handling of the power to prescribe medication to health conscious individuals. Most often than not, it could be relatively realized that the capacity of the article to serve as a wakeup call is a valuable worth that makes it a practical read for those interested in the matter.

Concern over proper prescription should receive an increased attention from those who are already suffering from another ailment. The side effects of drugs may range from weak to fatal. Hence, when not dealt with properly, particular prescription drugs might cause more damage than cure the ailment targeted to be healed. The capacity of a drug to heal is limited, hence its prescription to patients should be handled with proper care. It is the responsibility of the doctors to know what to prescribe, when to prescribe and who to prescribe it to.

In consideration with the status of azithromycin, researchers are still continuing the search for other side effects that it may have on patients with cardiovascular problems. Relatively though, they are already widening their search for other possible sources of anomalies such as the substance that makes up the drug. Alternative medicines are being presented and it is expected that better developed medical prescriptions could be produced for those who need azithromycin or its alternative medical counterpart but are suffering from cardiovascular problems. Notably, there is always a better source of confidence when it comes to taking precautions. Hence, patients themselves should not simply accept prescriptions, they should be well alert to tell their physicians that they have other health problems that may be affected by the drug. This article further imposes that it never hurts to ‘ask’ first before prescribing or accepting any prescriptions. Overall, the article could be considered helpful and effective in serving its value of providing a warning to all those who are involved with the process of creating drugs, prescribing it and taking it for the aspect of curing another ailment. Taking precautions is essential and making necessary adjustments for the specific case of a patient is always safer than pushing for a drug that might cause the lost of the life of another.

Reference:

Mosholder,, Andrew, Justin Matthew, John Alexander, Harry Smith and Sumathi Nambair. (March 2013). Cardiovascular Risks with Azithromycin and Other Antibacterial Drugs. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1302726. (Retrieved on May 3, 2013).