Zithromax (also knowns as Zmax, Z-Pak, and Azithromycin) has become a popular antibiotic medication because it tends to work faster than other antibiotics in the pharmaceutical market and generally requires a shorter prescription period.

Zithromax is often prescribed to treat respiratory infections, skin infections, and sexually transmitted diseases. A Z-Pak is also often prescribed to children to treat middle ear infections, pneumonia, and tonsillitis.

Manufactured by Pfizer Inc., this drug has been prescribed to over 40 million patients since Zithromax’s introduction to the North American drug market.

Although Zithromax was originally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a safe and efficient antibiotic treatment for various bacterial infections, the federal agency has since updated its assessment of the Pfizer drug, warning that Zithromax can lead to Steven Johnson Syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal skin condition that can lead to scarring, eye damage, and sometimes death.

What Is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare and potentially fatal allergic reaction to medication, like Zithromax. Stevens Johnson Syndrome usually begins with a fever, sore throat, and headache.

As the condition progresses, the patient’s mucous membranes in the mouth and throat can be affected, as can the eyelids. Eventually, the patient often loses the majority of her skin as the layer of dermis 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.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome can be fatal. In situations where it is not fatal, the patient often suffers long-term side effects including blindness, damage to their internal organs and mucous membranes, loss of hair and nails, permanent scarring and respiratory problems. Common symptoms of Zithromax SJS include:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Ulcers and other lesions
• Conjunctivitis of the eyes
• Rash
• Itching
• Joint aches
• Dry, itchy, or burning eyes

Zithromax Linked To SJS

Research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information studied the link between Zithromax and Stevens Johnson Syndrome. The Zithromax study investigated the link between Zithromax and the development of SJS in two azithromycin patients, one patient being a 62-year-old female and the other a young child.

This potential link is especially worrisome to researchers, as SJS results in death about 30 percent of the time, and it can develop at any time during Zithromax treatment. A Zithromax SJS reaction can occur even after the patient has used a particular drug for a long time with no adverse reaction.

Zithromax Lawsuits

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is rare condition and is seldom reported. While drug labels typically do warn of severe allergic reactions, they typically do not warn of Steven Johnson Syndrome itself.

People who have suffered from Stevens Johnson Syndrome after taking medications like Zithromax have filed lawsuits against the drug manufacturers, alleging that the drugs were not labeled adequately to warn about the occurrence of Stevens Johnson Syndrome.