Overprescription May Increase Zithromax Liver Damage Side Effects Risk

Zithromax, a commonly prescribed antibiotic, is often used outside of what would be considered best practices of medical societies, a pattern that can be linked to Zithromax liver damage side effects.

Pfizer, the maker of the powerful antibiotic, has been continuing to donate doses of Zithromax to Ethiopia in order to combat trachoma, a bacterial infection that can lead to blindness or partial vision loss. According to the New York Times, a drug in the same class, erythromycin, is one of the medications commonly used to fight the disease and improve the prognosis of patients. Doctors in Africa have to weigh the efficacy of the two antibiotics versus Z-Pak side effects that include heart arrhythmia and reduced liver function.

While there are some similarities, the treatment of acute ear infections is one area in which doctors’ guidelines often lean toward other antibiotics. Medscape recommends amoxicillin, an older antibiotic, unless the patient is highly allergic to it. It is also possible to observe the condition instead, or use topical applications that require prescriptions. However, a combination of free samples and advertising by pharmaceutical sales representatives may have shifted that equation toward Zithromax, resulting in more instances of liver damage side effects.

The group of antibiotics is relatively well known to members of the public. A patient might even request the medication if a friend, family member or co-worker told them their condition had improved after taking Zithromax. However, a recent study noted that there was a notable increase in doctors writing prescriptions for patients who asked for a specific medication, even when that drug was not considered the first-line treatment. It could be one reason that Z-Pak class action lawsuit attorneys are having to investigate heart arrhythmia and liver damage claims revolving around this drug.

Doctors must decide whether to push back on requests from patients for unnecessary medications, especially when treating viral infections, and weigh the potential benefits of against the risk of dangerous Z-Pak side effects.

Join a Free Zithromax Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of a Zithromax/Z-Pak injury such as a heart attack, liver damage, or Stevens Johnson Syndrome, you have legal options. See if you qualify to join a free Zithromax class action lawsuit investigation and pursue compensation for you or your loved one’s injuries:

Oops! We could not locate your form.