Azithromycin (Zithromax) is prescribed daily to adults and children to treat a variety of bacterial conditions, oftentimes ending with positive results.

However there have been serious Azithromycin side effects in children reported, with extreme allergic reactions being one of the most prevalent.

Oftentimes parents prefer Azithromycin for the drug’s short prescription time, which is half the time of most antibiotic prescriptions.

As one of the most popular antibiotics in America, Azithromycin is often prescribed to treat middle ear infections, pneumonia, and other serious bacterial infections.

However the patient population is becoming increasingly wary of the severe Azithromycin side effects in children exhibited, including reports of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

While an extremely rare allergic drug reaction, Stevens Johnson Syndrome can be potentially fatal if not promptly treated.

Azithromycin is one of at least 100 medications associated with Stevens Johnson Syndrome, with the risk higher for patients with drug allergies.

There have been at least two documented cases of Azithromycin SJS from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, with approximately 300 cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome diagnosed in the United States.

These two cases of Azithromycin SJS cases were identified in a 2006 report conducted by this organization.

In a more recent inquiry conducted by ehealthme, over 17,000 Azithromycin patients reported side effects.

The study found the highest likelihood of Azithromycin SJS was in male patients 30 to 39 years of age, who had been using the medication for less than one month. Out of the 17,402 patients who reported Azithromycin side effects, 263 (1.51%) patients reported Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Overview of Stevens Johnson Syndrome Complications

At this point in time, medical experts are not sure why only certain patients develop such an extreme reaction but believe the risk is higher in patients with drug sensitivities.

In terms of Azithromycin side effects in children, Stevens Johnson Syndrome is one of the worst injury occurrences.

While all Azithromycin side effects in children should all be treated seriously, only a handful of them can be potentially fatal.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is often characterized by the red or purple skin lesions that appear all over the patient’s body, which later detatch and create the appearance of skin melting.

Oftentimes patients need to be treated with skin grafts, to replenish lost skin. SJS Patients often experience swelling in the throat and mucus membranes, like eyes and mouth, along with internal organ damage.

Researchers warn that approximately 30% of all SJS cases are fatal, making early diagnosis vital for chances of survival.

Parents who are concerned with SJS and other Azithromycin side effects in children, should consult their doctors and pediatricians for alternative medications.

Patients who allegedly suffered Azithromycin SJS may be able to seek legal action against Pfizer or generic manufacturing companies for failure to warn.

Potential claimants should contact a specialized lawyer, to determine their eligibility for a Azithromycin SJS lawsuit.