Agencies Warn of Zithromax Side Effects

Zithromax (azithromycin)—also known as the “Z-Pak”—is one of the world’s best-selling antibiotics. It is effective against a wide variety of disease-causing bacteria, including everything from sexually transmitted diseases to strep throat. Additionally, people with allergies to penicillin and related drugs can usually take Zithromax safely, further contributing to the drug’s popularity.

Despite its popularity, this multibillion dollar blockbuster drug has been linked to several serious side effects, leading to litigation against Pfizer for failure to warn.

Zithromax Liver Problems

The National Library of Medicine reports that azithromycin (the technical name of Zithromax), has been linked to “acute liver injury.” According to their statistics, roughly 1 to 2 percent of patients suffer from this reaction during short-term treatment, and an unspecified “somewhat higher proportion” of patients taking the drug on a long-term basis. Usually patients develop the reaction within one to three weeks of treatment. Some even have this complication several days after completing a short-term prescription of Zithromax. The symptoms include jaundice (yellowed skin due to liver failure), fatigue and abdominal pain. For most patients, the worst of the symptoms clear up within four to eight weeks after ceasing use of Zithromax, but some suffer long-term consequences.

Zithromax Cardiovascular Issues

Zithromax belongs to a family of antibiotics called macrolides. As a group, macrolides are linked to serious heart problems. It was initially believed that Zithromax was safer than other macrolides in this respect, since it was chemically modified. However, evidence has been collected that suggests that Zithromax can cause heart problems.

In March 2013, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Drug Safety Communication and updated the labeling of Zithromax to reflect a greater understanding of these risks. The FDA had uncovered evidence that Zithromax could cause a certain type of irregular heartbeat that can lead to cardiac arrest. The FDA advised physicians to strongly consider a patient’s medical history before prescribing the drug, since patients with existing heart problems were more likely to suffer from serious complications. This Drug Safety Communication was a follow-up to an earlier statement by the FDA discussing initial observations.

Zithromax Legal Remedies

Zithromax lawsuits have been filed daily. These lawsuits allege that the drug is dangerous, and that manufacturers were aware of these risks. The lawsuits further allege that not only were manufactures aware of these risks, but that they actively concealed the risks to make a profit, endangering the public.

If you or a loved one have suffered side effects after using Zithromax, you have almost certainly been through a trying ordeal. The alleged side effects of this drug can be debilitating and life-threatening. This kind of medical crisis can extract a huge emotional and financial toll. When facing such challenges, many people feel overwhelmed, or even depressed.

But you need to remember that regardless of the challenges you are facing, you still have rights, and there are steps that you can take to regain a measure of control over your situation. You can start by visiting the Zithromax, Z-Pak, Azithromycin Heart Attack, Stevens Johnson Syndrome & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Class Action Lawsuit Settlement & Investigation. Here, you can enter information about your situation for a legal review by a trained expert with a background in this type of litigation. The initial consultation is completely free of charge and from it, you can receive critical guidance on the best steps to take in your exact situation.