The widely prescribed antibiotic Zithromax (azithromycin) is under investigation as a growing number of consumers allege the medication caused severe side effects including kidney failure and liver damage.

Zithromax, commonly referred to as Zmax or Z-pak, is a popular prescription used to treat bacterial infections such as tonsillitis, pneumonia, ear infections and skin infections. However, recently filed Zithromax lawsuits allege the bestselling antibiotic caused life-threatening medical conditions. These Zithromax lawsuits claim that the drug’s manufacturer, Pfizer, did not warn patients of the dangerous health risks linked to Zithromax. The Zithromax lawsuits also allege that Pfizer overmarketed the medication.

Zithromax Liver Damage

In 2013, a study published in the National Library of Health Medicine found that Zithromax consumers had a 1-2 percent increased risk of developing toxic liver disease.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration required Pfizer to include the risk of liver failure on the Zithromax warning label in 2001, but many of the Zithromax lawsuits allege the manufacturers were aware of the liver side effect as early as 1998 but did not disclose the information.

Z-pak liver damage symptoms include:

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

Zithromax Kidney Failure

Kidney complications have also been reported by Zithromax patients as a rare but dangerous side effect of the medication. Consumers claim the antibiotic caused kidney infections, kidney damage and in some cases kidney failure.

Kidney failure symptoms include:

• Metallic taste in the mouth/ammonia breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in urination
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, face and/or hands
• Fatigue
• Skin rash/itching
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Feeling cold
• Leg pain

Zithromax consumers who notice any of these side effects should contact their doctor immediately.

Zithromax Complications

In addition to liver damage and kidney failure, Zithromax complications reportedly include the allergic skin rash known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). Zithromax SJS is a quick-spreading purple or red rash that causes blisters to develop on the skin and mucous membranes. These blisters then cause the top layer of skin to die and shed.

SJS can cover up to 30 percent of a patient’s body, but if the rash spreads beyond that, the medical 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. Stevens Johnson Syndrome is fatal 15 percent of the time, while TEN carries a 40 percent mortality rate.

Patients have reported other Zithromax complications including birth defects, heart attacks, cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death.

Zithromax Lawsuits

Drug manufacturers have a legal duty to disclose all the potential side effects of their medication. When companies do not adequately inform patients, they can be held liable for failure to warn and negligent marketing.

Some Zithromax consumers who have experienced a life-threatening Zithromax complication have filed lawsuits in order to be financially compensated for the medical costs of treating their condition, as well as for the pain and suffering they have endured.

Some file Zithromax lawsuits as individuals, while others choose to join a Zithromax class action lawsuit. In general, plaintiffs allege Pfizer downplayed any serious Zithromax side effects while they over-promoted the medication.