Even though Zithromax liver problems are some of the drug’s rarer side effects, the stakes for patients who develop them can be high.

Cases of liver toxicity have been reported that were allegedly linked to Zithromax treatment.

At least one patient who underwent a liver transplant now claims his liver failure was caused by Zithromax.

Zithromax is a widely used antibiotic made by Pfizer Inc. It’s also marketed in prepackaged three- and five-day courses branded as Z-Pak, and in a single megadose branded as Zmax.

As a macrolide antibiotic, Zithromax is metabolized in the liver.

It’s known that patients who already have abnormal liver function may be at risk for Zithromax liver problems.

But even patients with no history of liver trouble have reportedly developed Zithromax liver problems.

Case Study in Zithromax Liver Problems

One case study, published in the May 2010 issue of the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, tells the story of a 69-year-old woman who developed Zithromax liver problems despite having no history of liver disease.

The woman arrived at the emergency room after four days of high doses of Zithromax, referred to in the study by its generic name azithromycin.

She reported nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and she also exhibited visible signs of pruritus and jaundice. Testing showed she had elevated liver enzymes.

After her physicians ruled out many possible causes of liver problems, they considered the medications she had been taking prior to admission.

They noticed a temporal relationship between her initiation of azithromycin treatment and her onset of liver symptoms.

A cause-and-effect analysis specifically used for evaluating drug-induced liver disease indicated her condition was probably drug-associated.

Plaintiff Blames Liver Transplant on Zithromax

Another patient has taken Zithromax manufacturer Pfizer Italy to court, alleging his Zithromax liver problems were so severe he had to have a kidney transplant.

Plaintiff Michalis P. of Cyprus says he was prescribed Zithromax in 2009, when he was 16 years old.

He claims his liver failed after three days of Zithromax treatment, and he had to be flown to England for a liver transplant.

Michalis says the effects of his liver transplant have devastated his entire life. In testimony, persons who know him said he is not the same person he used to be before the surgery.

His brother Alexandros says that Michalis became helpless and childlike.

He could not remember his home or his friends, and he stopped pursuing his interests in sports and art.

Michalis now argues that the labeling for Zithromax failed to adequately warn him about the risks of liver injury associated with the drug, even though Pfizer knew about those risks.

He claims scientific research from as far back as 1996 points to a connection between Zithromax and liver failure.

He also notes that in 2011, Pfizer changed the warning label for Zithromax to include mention of “life threatening liver failure,” where before it only referred to “liver disorder.”

Michalis argues this labeling change shows Pfizer knew about the risk of Zithromax liver problems since before that time.