Azithromycin is one of the most popular antibiotics in the United States, commonly prescribed to adult and pediatric patients.

However, this drug (also sold under the name Zithromax) has been associated with severe side effects, and has been reported numerous times for severe allergic reaction rash or Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

While suffering a skin reaction to medication can sometimes occur, each occurrence should be taken seriously because it can turn into Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an extremely rare allergic reaction rash, but children may be especially vulnerable to SJS, due to how quickly the condition progresses.

Even though there are a number of medications associated with Stevens Johnson Syndrome, parents should be especially wary of Azithromycin due to its vast popularity amongst children.

Part of the market appeal of Azithromycin was its short prescription time of only five days, compared to the typical ten-day regiment. This makes it a popularly prescribed drug for children, as it is a quick treatment for pneumonia and middle ear infections.

The concern of children suffering allergic reaction rash from Azithromycin first started rising in 2012, when a Azithromycin SJS lawsuit was filed against Pfizer.

According to the claim, the child developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome very quickly after taking Azithromycin and had to be hospitalized.

After receiving a number of similar complaints in both adult and pediatric patients, the FDA has recently ordered Pfizer to update Azithromycin’s warning label to include Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Overview of Azithromycin Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an extremely rare and severe allergic skin reaction to medication, often characterized by red or purple skin lesions. The infected areas then detach and expose inner tissue and muscle to possible infection, further compounding the condition.

It is important to note that this condition is potentially fatal, and should be treated as soon as possible. Like most allergic skin reactions once Stevens Johnson Syndrome occurs, it typically spreads very quickly with the reaction almost instantaneously.

However, experts warn that these reactions can occur between two to eight weeks of starting the medication, beginning with flu like symptoms.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome rash can take up to 30% of skin surface area, with its more severe form Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) consuming up to as much as 90%.

At this point in time, experts are unsure why Stevens Johnson Syndrome only affects certain patients but believe it is linked to drug sensitivity and genetic disposition.

Patients who are diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome, are often left with some form of skin scarring and vision damage.

The treatment for Stevens Johnson Syndrome often involves skin grafts, feeding tubes, and other extreme forms of treatment to raise the chances of survival.

Even though this condition is potentially fatal, Pfizer had failed to warn parents and other other patients for many years of the potential danger.

This has resulted in numerous Azithromycin SJS lawsuits, with claimants alleging the company had failed to warn them of these allergic reaction risks.