Zithromax (azithromycin), an antibiotic commonly referred to Z-Pak or Zmax, has been linked to the dangerous skin reaction Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

Zithromax has become a popular antibiotic because it requires a shorter prescription period that most other antibiotics. The drug is prescribed for a variety of infections and ailments including pneumonia, strep throat, tonsillitis, sexually-transmitted diseases, ear infections, and staph infections. Manufactured by Pfizer, the drug has been prescribed to over 40 million patients.

However, Zithromax side effects are numerous and include the potentially deadly skin reaction Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome can arise at any time and can occur even after the patient has used a particular drug for a long time with no adverse reaction.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (known as toxic epidermal necrolysis,  or TEN, in its most serious form) usually begins with a fever, sore throat and headache. As the syndrome progresses, the patient develops skin lesions and blisters.

The patient’s mucus membranes in the mouth and throat can be affected, as can the eyelids. The patient can lose a majority of her skin, as it sloughs off.  Some patients suffer internal burning, as well, which can cause severe damage to internal organs. Many patients with SJS are treated in hospital burn units because of the loss of skin and risk of infection.

In situations where it is not fatal, the patient often suffers long-term effects. Patients that do survive, tend to have permanent injuries that include scarring, difficultly eating, and vision problems.

It can take months of medical treatment to recover from SJS. Additionally, the rare nature of SJS causes patients often to go misdiagnosed. This causes a delay in appropriate medical attention and can even leave a suffering patient on the medication, like Zithromax, that is making them sick for longer.

In 2006, a report by the National Center for Biotechnology Information suggested a link between Zithromax and SJS in at least two cases. The report investigates the link between Zithromax and the development of SJS in a 62-year-old female patient and a child.

Due to this potential SJS link and other serious Zithromax complications, the FDA has since updated its assessment of the drug and mandated the use of warning labels when the drug is prescribed.

Zithromax SJS Lawsuits

It is not known why various drugs trigger allergic reactions such as Zithromax SJS in some patients and not in others. Plaintiffs, however, fault manufacturers for not specifically warning of the possibility. Many Zithromax SJS lawsuits allege that Pfizer should have known about the possibility of such Zithromax reactions, and should have done a better job of warning consumers.