Azithromycin is an antibiotic sometimes prescribed for certain bacterial infections, including respiratory infections and certain sexually transmitted diseases. Although a small study of 20 subjects published in 1993 in the "Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy" did not find that azithromycin had a significant impact on liver function when healthy patients taking azithromycin were compared with patients with mild to moderate liver disease taking azithromycin, this antibiotic can elevate some liver-related laboratory values in a blood test.
CPK
Creatine phosphokinase, noted as CPK or CK on a lab report, is often elevated after a cardiac event or severe injury or burn. Other reasons for elevated levels of CPK include vigorous exercise and the diseases ALS, muscular dystrophy and chronic alcoholism. It is also possible to have elevated levels as a result of taking azithromycin. Normal laboratory values are 20 to 180 U/L for women and 20 to 200 U/L for men.
AST
Aspartate aminotransferase, or AST, is an enzyme involved in amino acid transformation and is elevated during liver disease, after myocardial infarction, or as a result of cancer, burns, renal disease, alcoholism, muscular dystrophy or gangrene. Azithromycin can also elevate levels of this amino acid. Normal levels are 10 to 31 U/L for women and 10 to 37 U/L for men.
ALT
Alanine aminotransferase, or ALT, is another enzyme involved in amino acid transformation. Laboratory values are elevated with hepatitis, liver cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, jaundice, burns, pancreatitis, obesity and mononucleosis. It is also possible to have elevated levels as a result of taking azithromycin. Normal levels are 4 to 31 U/L for women and 4 to 40 U/L for men.
ALP
Alkaline phosphatase, or ALP, Is an enzyme especially concentrated in the liver. It is markedly increased with liver disease and can be elevated as a result of taking azithromycin. Normal levels are 40 to 120 U/L in both men and women.
GGT
Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, or GGT, is an enzyme that transforms amino acids for transport into the liver cells. Laboratory values are elevated during liver disease and liver toxicity, biliary tract obstruction, pancreatitis and alcoholism and can be elevated as a result of taking azithromycin. Normal lab values are 7 to 33 U/L for women and 7 to 51 U/L for men.
LDH
Lactic dehydrogenase, or LDH, is an enzyme involved in the breakdown of red blood cells that is slightly elevated during liver disease or failure. It can also be elevated as a result of taking azithromycin. Normal levels are 105 to 230 U/L for both men and women.
References
- "Food & Medication Interaction, 15th Edition"; Zaneta M. Pronsky; 2008
- "Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy"; Phannacokinetics of Azithromycin in Patients with Impaired Hepatic Function; T. Mazzei, et al.; 1993
- "American Journal of Medicine"; Clinical Toleration of Azithromycin; Scott Hopkins; September 1991
- MedlinePlus; Azithromycin; Sept. 1, 2008
