Zithromax is a popular antibiotic manufactured by Pfizer for the treatment of mild to moderate infection. It is convenient to use because it has a short dosing regimen. Depending on what it is being used for, it is taken for one, three or five days.

However, despite its reported conveniences, Zithromax may be linked to an increased risk of kidney infection and even kidney failure.

Zithromax Overview

Zithromax, generically known as azithromycin, is a commonly prescribed antibiotic used to treat infections in children and adults. The drug is also marketed as a “Z-Pak” or “Z-max,” referring to its six pill packaging in a narrow envelope.

Zithromax is often preferred by both patients and physicians due to its shortened course, as opposed to other antibiotics’ standard 10-day course.

Some of the types of infections that Zithromax is used to treat include:

• Bronchitis
• Ear infections
• Sinusitis
• Pneumonia
• Strep throat
• Staph infections
• Infections of the skin
• Tonsillitis

Since Zithromax hit the market in the early 1990s, it has been considered one of the most popular antibiotics for use in the treatment of bacterial infections. The appeal lies in the drugs ability to provide continual levels of antibiotics to infected areas.

Zithromax’s potency is considerably higher when compared to other traditional oral antibiotics. However, it is this potency that can cause severe kidney problems when the body processes the drug.

Zithromax Kidney Problems

Kidney problems have been reported by Zithromax patients as a rare but dangerous side effect of the medication. Consumers claim the antibiotic caused kidney infections, kidney damage and in some cases kidney failure.

Kidney failure symptoms include:

• Metallic taste in the mouth/ammonia breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in urination
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, face and/or hands
• Fatigue
• Skin rash/itching
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Feeling cold
• Leg pain

Zithromax FDA Warning

Zithromax was approved by the FDA in 1992.  Allegedly, Pfizer received reports of kidney failure soon after the drug’s release. There are additional reports that Pfizer knew about potential kidney problems as early as 1998, but waited to change the warning label until they were required by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to do so in late 2000.

In 2009, Pfizer agreed to pay $2.3 billion in a record-breaking settlement. In the lawsuit, Pfizer faced criminal and civil allegations of illegally marketing Zithromax and a dozen other drugs.

Specifically, the drug maker was accused of off-label marketing and paying kickbacks to doctors for pushing drugs including Zithromax. The settlement included a $1.2 billion criminal fine, $1 billion in civil penalties, and $100 million in criminal forfeiture.

The criminal fine was, at the time, the largest fine ever in a U.S. criminal case. It was also Pfizer’s fourth settlement of government charges in a decade.

Filing a Zithromax Lawsuit

If you or a loved one has suffered kidney failure or other kidney problems that you believe may be related to the use of Zithromax, you may be able to recover compensation through a defective drug product liability claim.

These types of lawsuits raise complex scientific and legal issues, and an experienced attorney can help guide you through the litigation process.