The short prescription length of the antibiotic Zithromax makes it one of the most desired medications on the U.S. market. However, Zithromax (commonly known as Z-pak or Zmax) has been linked to several serious medical ailments including the allergic skin condition, Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

Zithromax is prescribed to treat numerous bacterial infections including tonsillitis, ear infections and pneumonia in just three days. Despite the quick treatment length, a growing number of Zithromax lawsuits claim patients were unaware of the dangerous health risks associated with taking the medication.

Approved by the FDA in 1996, Zithromax (generic azithromycin) carried side effect warnings that did not include the dermatological condition SJS. It wasn’t until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to drug manufacturer Pfizer in 2012 that there was any mention of the dangerous skin condition. And even then, Zithromax consumers allege the wording was not strong enough.

In regards to Zithromax SJS, the warning label states that an allergic reaction is rare but may include “severe skin rash or blisters.” The numerous Zithromax lawsuits allege Pfizer intentionally downplayed the life-threatening SJS side effect while over-marketing the product to patients as well as the medical community.

Zithromax SJS

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a painful autoimmune condition that is considered a medical emergency. Initial SJS symptoms appear to be almost flu-like with chills, body aches and a fever. However, those symptoms soon change into a quick spreading red or purple rash that appears on the skin and mucous membranes. The SJS rash is followed by skin blisters that eventually cause the top layer of skin to die and shed.

When skin lesions cover between 10 to 30 percent of the body the condition is referred to as Zithromax SJS. If the SJS rash spreads beyond 30 percent the condition is known as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). Both conditions require lengthy hospitalizations as doctors try to determine which medication is causing the life-threatening allergic reaction. If Zithromax is discovered to be the cause of SJS or TEN doctors will recommend a permanent avoidance of the drug.

SJS is fatal 15 percent of the time, while TEN carries a 40 percent mortality rate.

Growing Number of Zithromax Lawsuits

In addition to Zithromax SJS, several other severe Zithromax complications are being reported by patients and families of patients including: kidney disease or failure, heart attacks, liver disease, cardiac arrhythmia, birth defects and even sudden death.

These potentially life-threatening medical conditions are prompting numerous Zithromax lawsuits to be filed throughout the United States In general, plaintiffs filing lawsuits claim Zithromax manufacturer Pfizer misled consumers into thinking the medication was safe and superior to other antibiotics while they failed to fully disclose the serious health risks.

Zithromax plaintiffs are seeking financial compensation for the high medical expenses endured because of long hospital stays. Often times, filing a Zithromax lawsuit as an individual or joining a Zithromax class action lawsuit is the only way to recover financially after developing a severe medical condition such as SJS.