The bestselling antibiotic Zithromax (azithromycin) is under scrutiny once more for its possible link to several life-threatening medical conditions. Attractive because of its short prescription length, Zithromax is used to treat various bacterial ailments including ear infections, pneumonia, skin infections, tonsillitis and other bacterial infections.

A growing number of patients have filed Zithromax side effects lawsuits with claims that use of the 3-day and 5-dose prescription, commonly known as Z-Pak or Zmax, resulted in serious Zithromax side effects including Kidney failure, Stevens Johnson Syndrome and liver damage. Zithromax class action lawsuits allege that the drug manufacturer Pfizer minimized the dangerous health risks associated with taking the medication while it over-marketed the product.

Zithromax Kidney Side Effects

Kidney failure and kidney disease are being reported by patients filing Zithromax lawsuits. Some of the symptoms of kidney complications are: fatigue, shortness of breath, change in urination, swelling in hands, legs, fee, face, ankles, skin rash and a metallic taste in the mouth.

Zithromax users who begin noticing any of these side effects are urged to contact a physician immediately.

Zithromax SJS Side Effects

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are painful autoimmune conditions also reported as possible Zithromax side effects. SJS is an allergic skin reaction that appears as a purple or red rash and quickly spreads across the body.

The rash is usually followed by skin blisters that eventually cause the top layer of the skin to die and shed. Steven Johnson Syndrome 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.

The FDA has informed Pfizer that the Zithromax warning label does not adequately inform patients of the seriousness of developing SJS, a condition that has a 15 percent mortality rate.

Zithromax Liver Damage

A recent study reported by the National Library of Health Medicine found that Zithromax users are at a greater risk for developing toxic liver disease. Some Zithromax lawsuits allege Prizer knew of the liver damage side effects but did not disclose the information on the warning label until the FDA required them to do so in 2001.Zmax liver damage symptoms include:

• Skin discoloration
• Dark urine
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Clay-colored stools

Other Zithromax complications, such as cardiac arrhythmia, heart attacks, birth defects and sudden death have also been reported by patients and families of patients.

Zithromax Lawsuits

Patients who have experienced some Zithromax side effects are joining class action lawsuits in order to be compensated for the pain and suffering related to their various conditions as well as the medical costs associated with treatment. Pfizer lawsuits accuse the company of downplaying the serious health risks while over-promoting the medication with superiority claims which mislead consumers.