The alleged connection between Zithromax and Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) has been a major concern to the medical community for the past several years.

As an extremely rare drug allergic reaction, Stevens Johnson Syndrome remains relatively unknown to the general population, who are not typically exposed to severe drug side effects.

Unless a patient has drug allergies or has a general sensitivity to a medication, severe drug side effects are not normally a conscious concern for most patients.

Considering that many serious drug side effects are unlikely to occur, it is not difficult to underestimate the severity of Zithromax and Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

The alleged connection became a concern to the medical community in June 2012, when the FDA sent a warning letter to Pfizer Inc. regarding the company’s Zmax brochure.

Zmax, an extended release version of Zithromax, is one of the company’s most popular medications and has had many advertisements published touting its benefits.

However the FDA had found the marketing materials to be insufficient regarding the drug’s side effects warnings, particularly the connection between Zithromax and Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

By May 2014, Pfizer made information of this alleged connection available to the medical community but had largely omitted sharing the important drug information with the patient population.

Almost two years later, little has changed in this regard as the official Zithromax page on Pfizer.com states that rare allergic reactions normally resulted in severe skin rash or blisters.

However, patients are advised to seek immediate medical treatment of this happens, and to ask their doctor if they want more detailed warnings of Zithromax and Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Overview of Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is specifically caused by an adverse drug reaction, and has been linked to a number of other medications than Zithromax.

This condition is often characterized by the red or purple skin lesions that appear on the patient’s body, later peeling off and exposing inner tissue and muscle to possible infection.

This condition also causes the patient’s throat, eyes, and mouth to swell, causing issues with breathing and swallowing. This condition is potentially fatal, and progresses quickly after initial symptoms.

If Stevens Johnson Syndrome develops in a patient, it typically begins with flu like symptoms and occurs within the first few weeks of starting the medication.

Patients who suffer SJS symptoms often have to be treated in hospital burn units, and often contend with some degree of blindness of skin damage after recovery.

Due to how deadly this condition is, Pfizer has faced massive criticism for allegedly not warning patients against Zithromax and Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Patients who suffer Zithromax SJS may be able to file legal action, and should contact a specialized lawyer to determine eligibility for a claim.