Zithromax Linked to Heart Risks and May Promote Antibiotic Resistance

The popular antibiotic Zithromax is facing concerns on two fronts — antibiotic resistance and serious side effects.

Zithromax (azithromycin) is a macrolide antibiotic, a type of drug designed to interfere with bacteria. Several things make Zithromax a multi-billion dollar blockbuster drug. First, the drug is effective against a wide variety of bacteria, meaning it can treat a wide variety of infections. Second, the drug is structurally very different from penicillin and related antibiotics. This means that people with penicillin allergies can usually take the drug safely.

However, several prominent physicians, medical organizations, and even government regulators in certain countries have suggested that Zithromax be put back on the shelf. Recently, Dr. Joseph Lex of Temple University in Philadelphia spoke about Zithromax at the American Academy of Emergency Medicine’s (AAEM) 20th Annual Scientific Assembly. Dr. Lex, along with organizations like the Canadian Pediatric Society, have suggested the Zithromax be reserved for rare, life-threatening infections. Dr. Lex said that countries that heavily restrict Zithromax have seen a decrease in antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance is a major crisis in modern medicine. For nearly a century, antibiotics have been a miracle drug that gave physicians the upper hand against bacterial infections. For a time, it seemed that physicians had mastered this class of diseases. However, bacteria began to cope with antibiotics. Some bacteria had genes that allowed them to survive, and even thrive, when exposed to antibiotics. Widespread antibiotic use created an environment that favored resistant bacteria. Since only resistant bacteria survived in such a milieu, more and more bacteria developed resistance to antibiotics. On top of that, bacteria have the ability to swap genes across species and families allowing these genes to spread. Now, more and more bacterial infections do not respond to antibiotics.

Reserving wide-spectrum antibiotics for serious infections could potentially reduce antibiotic resistance. Focusing on narrow-spectrum antibiotics (antibiotics that only work against a few specific types of bacteria) can slow and even reverse the process of developing antibiotic resistance. However, resistance is not the only concern with Zithromax.

In 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Drug Safety Communication about heart problems associated with Zithromax. The safety communication warns patients and physicians that various studies and postmarket surveillance had revealed a potential link between Zithromax and dangerous changes in heart rhythm that can increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. This link has led to legal scrutiny.

A Zithromax class action lawsuit investigation has been launched to explore the possibility of legal action against Pfizer Inc. Similar lawsuits against other drugs have alleged that drug manufacturers were aware—or reasonably should have been aware—of the serious risks associated with the drug. Additionally, such a class action suit could allege that the drug makers continued to aggressively promote the drugs in spite of these risks.

Join a Free Zithromax Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of a Zithromax/Z-Pak injury such as a heart attack, liver damage, or Stevens Johnson Syndrome, you have legal options. See if you qualify to join a free Zithromax class action lawsuit investigation and pursue compensation for you or your loved one’s injuries:

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