Several people around the United States have experienced an allergic reaction to azithromycin.

Product liability attorneys are currently seeking potential plaintiffs to bring azithromycin lawsuits against pharmaceutical manufacturers.

These azithromycin lawsuits may allege that the manufacturers and marketers of azithromycin failed to warn consumers about dangerous side effects associated with having an azithromycin allergic reaction.

Azithromycin is a popular antibiotic commonly prescribed in the United States. Azithromycin is often sold under the brand names Z-Pak, Zmax, and Zithromax. The drug is often prescribed by medical professionals to treat bacterial infections, skin infections, respiratory infections, and some sexually transmitted diseases.

Unfortunately, some patients taking azithromycin have experienced an azithromycin allergic reaction.

Azithromycin Allergic Reaction

Some patients who have an allergic reaction to azithromycin develop a serious condition known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a condition that affects the skin and mucus membranes.

SJS is a severe allergic reaction that can be triggered by various causes, such as an allergic reaction to medications like azithromycin or from other infectious issues such as herpes, pneumonia, hepatitis, and HIV.

Symptoms of SJS often first develop as flu like symptoms. This can present itself as a fever, sore throat and mouth, cough, and fatigue. After a few days the symptoms will become more physical and may include facial swelling, hives, blisters on the skin and mucus membranes, and a quickly spreading red or purple rash. The lesions can worsen, and become shedding of skin.

In severe cases, Stevens Johnson Syndrome can develop into Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). TEN shares the same symptoms as SJS but covers a much larger percentage of the human body.

Victims of the conditions are generally treated in a hospital’s burn unit. Treatment is usually focused on relieving symptoms and keeping the patient hydrated. Hospitalization can last anywhere between several weeks and several months. If left untreated SJS and TEN can be fatal.

Azithromycin Lawsuits

Deciding to bring an azithromycin lawsuit is a big decision that should be made with careful consideration. Lawsuits will allege that the pharmaceutical manufacturers violated consumer protection laws.

Whether or not an azithromycin lawsuit should be brought is a decision that should be made after weighing all the facts and circumstances of an individual’s case. A product liability attorney can assist potential plaintiffs with this task.

Plaintiffs bringing lawsuits often have the option of bringing their case individually or as a member in a class action lawsuit. Each type of lawsuit has its benefits. Individual lawsuits often give the plaintiff more autonomy over their case while class action lawsuits help to spread the costs of litigation among all the members.

Class action lawsuits generally happen when a large number of plaintiffs have claims that share similar facts and questions of law. The class representative must meet specific criteria and demonstrate that he or she can adequately and fairly represent the other class members. Successful plaintiffs may receive compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced along with their medical bills.