Moderate
Azithromycin × Fluoxetine
Macrolides×Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Mechanism
Additive QT prolongation (fluoxetine weakly prolongs QT at high doses).
Symptoms
QT prolongation on ECG. Dizziness, syncope, palpitations. Rarely: polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (torsades de pointes). Risk is higher with hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia, bradycardia, and ischaemic heart disease.
Management
For short azithromycin courses (3–5 days) with normal potassium and magnesium, the combination is acceptable. In cardiovascular disease or fluoxetine doses above 40 mg: ECG before start or alternative antibiotics (doxycycline, a cephalosporin).