The popular antibiotic medication Zithromax is under investigation due to its possible link to several dangerous side effects including the dermatological condition referred to as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

Zithromax (generic azithromycin) is most commonly known as Z-Pak or Zmax and is widely prescribed in a 3-day and 5-dose packs to treat a variety of infections like ear, respiratory, and skin infections. While Zithromax remains a bestselling drug, hundreds of patients report suffering from life-threatening Zithromax side effects including Zithromax SJS.

What is Zithromax SJS?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a painful autoimmune condition that requires immediate medical attention. What first appear like flu-like symptoms can quickly change into an allergic skin reaction that spreads across the body. A purple or red rash begins to appear on the skin and mucous membranes, which is usually followed by skin blisters eventually causing the top layer of the skin to die and shed.

Zithromax SJS skin lesions may affect anywhere between 10 percent to 30 percent of the body. When the rash covers more than 30 percent of the body, the condition is then referred to as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). In both skin disorders, hospitalization is almost always required due to the lengthy process of recovery. Zithromax SJS is fatal 15 percent of the time.

Nearly all SJS and TEN afflictions are caused by an allergic reaction to over-the-counter and prescription medications. SJS and TEN treatments require doctors to focus their efforts on finding out what medication is causing the dermatological condition in order to control the symptoms. Zithromax SJS requires a permanent avoidance of the popular antibiotic treatment. 

Zithromax Side Effects

While Zithromax/Z-Pak is under scrutiny for possibly causing Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, that is not the only life-threatening side effect patients are reporting.

Other Zithromax complications may include:

• Liver failure
• Kidney failure
• Birth defects
• Cardiac arrhythmia

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings to Zithromax’s manufacturer Pfizer Inc. about downplaying the serious and sometimes fatal Zithromax side effects. In the case of developing Zithromax SJS, the drug’s warning label does state that an allergic reaction is rare and tha it may include “severe skin rash or blisters.” Many of the Zithromax lawsuits being filed allege this wording was not a strong enough warning about the risk of developing life-threatening Zithromax SJS.

Zithromax Lawsuits

Dozens of Zithromax lawsuits claim Pfizer minimized the serious risks associated with the drug including Zithromax SJS while over-promoting the medication with superiority claims therefore misleading consumers. Patients are joining Zithromax class action lawsuits in an effort to be reimbursed for medical costs associated with treatment and also to be compensated for the pain and suffering caused by taking Zithromax. 

SJS lawsuits allege Pfizer carries the burden to fully disclose the high risk of side effects associated with taking the Z-Pak, which include: heart attacks, liver damage, kidney failure, Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Zithromax patients claim they feel misled by Pfizer’s failure to adequately warn about these potential Zithromax side effects.

If you have suffered injuries due to your use of Zithromax, you may have a legal claim and should consider filing a Zithromax SJS lawsuit or joining a Zithromax class action lawsuit.