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MRSA because of azithromycin

Question
Dear expert team,
I suffer from CF with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization. My physician advised me to take azithromycin 250mg daily permanently. I feel a positive effect of this. However I fear, that it comes to a colonization of the lung with MRSA because of this. Is there any data from long-term studies on negative consequences concerning MRSA colonization respectively other negative consequences on the lung?
Thank you in advance for your answer.
Many greetings!
Answer
Hello,
it is good that you feel a positive effect when taking the drug. The studies have shown, that the intake of azithromycin positively influences the course of CF patients with chronic Pseudomonas colonization with very few side effects. Concerning resistance there is data, that staphylococci get more frequently resistant against azithromycin in case it is taken for a longer period of time as it is the case in CF therapy.
This is then not yet an MRSA. Regarding this, there is no evidence that it comes to a colonization with MRSA. Therefore this is not a reason to stop the intake and if you tolerate it well and have even a subjective effect, you should go on taking it.
Best regards,
Prof. Dr. Joachim Bargon
14.05.2014