Azithromycin (brand name Zithromax) is a popular antibiotic among adults and children alike for its efficient treatment mechanism and its short prescription time.

However a number of parents have reported  serious antibiotic side effects soon after their child takes the medication, including the severe allergic reaction Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

Children are often prescribed azithromycin to treat middle ear infections, pneumonia, and tonsillitis, with parents preferring the drug over older antibiotics that have longer treatment regimes.

However azithromycin has been associated with SJS numerous times, with at least two documented cases from the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

A 2006 report found by this organization identified two cases of azithromycin SJS which spurred major concern in health officials.

This antibiotic reaction is especially dangerous to children using azithromycin, as SJS is infamous for being an aggressive condition.

In a more recent example from 2012, a product liability lawsuit was filed against Zithromax manufacturer, Pfizer. According to the claim, a child developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome soon after taking azithromycin.

The parents claimed the company failed to warn them of the potential antibiotic side effects, which could potentially occur from taking the medication.

Overview of the Azithromycin SJS Association

Compared to most other antibiotics, azithromycin inhibits the bacteria’s reproduction ability and contains the infection sight. Eventually the remaining bacterial cells die out, resulting in a quick treatment for the bacterial infection.

Azithromycin can be prescribed to treat a variety of bacterial infections and is one of the most preferred medications in the country.

However a number of patients have reported experiencing the serious antibiotic reaction Stevens Johnson Syndrome, which is an extreme allergic reaction specifically caused by a medication.

This condition is often characterized by red or purple skin lesions, in which later detach and expose the body to potential infection. In addition, SJS symptoms consist of the mouth and throat swelling, eyesight damage, severe skin damage, organ damage and possibly death.

As a potentially fatal antibiotic reaction, Stevens Johnson Syndrome is especially dangerous to pediatric azithromycin patients.

While no definitive link has been proven between SJS and azithromycin, Stevens Johnson Syndrome has been associated with numerous medications.

At this point in time, scientists are unsure what medications cause SJS or why only specific patients experience it. This extremely rare allergic reaction is seldom seen by medical professionals, and is often not mentioned on the azithromycin antibiotic side effects label.

The beginning symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome are similar to the flu, and will occur within the first two to eight weeks of starting the medication. Often, patients are treated in the burn unit of hospitals, to replenish lost skin.

For children who survive this ordeal, they often have to contend with some of form of skin damage and some degree of blindness. Even though Stevens Johnson Syndrome is potentially fatal, the current azithromycin warning label does not discuss the condition.

Azithromycin patients who have suffered this severe antibiotic reaction, may be able to file legal action against the manufacturing company. Potential claimants should contact a specialized lawyer, to determine if they have an Azithromycin SJS lawsuit.