Amanda Antell  |  February 25, 2014

Category: Legal News

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antibiotic side effectsRecent studies reveal that over-prescription of antibiotics can increase the likelihood of the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.  Experts assert that over prescribing any antibiotic, including Zithromax, will not only lead to resistant bacteria, but will allegedly increase the likelihood of being harmed by dangerous side effects.

If a bacterium becomes resistant to the medication, the medication will simply be digested through the human body as normal, but due to the effects of the drug not being used for its intended purposes, scientists allege that antibiotics are more likely to cause severe side effects in patients.  Institutions who share this or similar concerns include the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics.  While experts differ in opinion on this matter, the growing deficiency in antibiotics is now considered a critical public health threat.

The latest study to report on this topic is published in the February 2014 issue of Pediatrics. In the study entitled “Recent Trends in Outpatient Antibiotic Use in Children,” experts highly revered the study for pointing out that antibiotic dispensing for children has reached a new high in the past several years.  The CDC considers this very disturbing, because a resistant bacterium typically causes at least 2,049,442 illnesses, and 23,000 deaths per year.

This study observed the effects of antibiotics in pediatric patients between the ages of 3 months and 18 years, in each region of the United States.  The children were prescribed antibiotics for a variety of infections including: ear infections, skin infections, strep throat, pneumonia, and sinusitis.  The medications used in this experiment included: Vantin, Suprax, Zithromax, and Biaxin.  The results found that that children in the Midwest, with the lowest medication dispense or prescription rate, were the ones with the least resistant bacteria.

Participating scientists concluded that that low prescription rates may lead to less of a possibility of resistant bacteria.  Along with that, children are less likely to suffer severe side effects from the medications, because they are not overly exposed to it.  Therefore over prescription of antibiotics, especially powerful ones like Zithromax can lead to inefficient medication.

Overview of Zithromax Complications

Zithromax (Azithromycin) is one of the world’s bestselling antibiotics, and is the most popular antibiotic in the United States.  It is manufactured by Pfizer, often prescribed to treat a variety of bacterial infections including ear infections, strep throat, pneumonia, typhoid, bronchitis and sinusitis.  Many medical experts attribute Zithromax’s success to the short time prescription time required on the patients, especially in young children.

Unfortunately, Zithromax has been known to cause cardiac complications in some patients.  This complication was officially announced in 2013 by the FDA, stating that this medication can cause changes in the heart’s electrical activity.  The resulting complications from this side effect include, but not limited to:

  • QT interval prolongation
  • Low levels of potassium or magnesium in blood
  • Slow heart rate
  • Use of certain drugs used to treat abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmia

 

According to the study discussed, if over-prescription of Zithromax continues, then these complications are more likely to occur in patients.  A study directly related to this issue was published in the online issue of JAMA Internal Medicine on Oct. 3, 2013, entitled: “Is Zithromax Being Used Unnecessarily.”  The study investigated the theory of whether or not these cardiac complications were more likely to occur in patients who had minor bacterial infections, where an alternative medication could have been used.

As of now, the overall consensus remains that Zithromax over-prescription is a concern, but is most likely not going to slow, despite the severe side effects.  New concerns are now arising over the possibility of resistant-bacteria, which would render the medication ineffective.

File a Zithromax Lawsuit

If you believe that you or a loved one have been the victim of a Zithromax cardiac complication, you have legal options.  Please visit the Zithromax, Z-Pak, & Azithromycin Class Action Lawsuit Investigation.  There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned Zithromax lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation.  You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees.  The Zithromax attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.

 

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One thought on Zithromax Over-Prescription May Lead to Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

  1. Brian Paniagua says:

    I’ve been prescribed this medicine many times as well as numerous other antibiotics due to my mesh implant for the past 4 years. I constantly am getting sick and I recently went to doctor to see what other options I have, the symptoms are very similar to liver damage. Please let me know what steps to take so I can get well.

    Thank-you
    Brian Paniagua

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