Blockbuster Drug Zithromax Linked to Risk of Serious Heart Problems

Zithromax (azithromycin) has made billions for its manufacturers. However, evidence has emerged that the antibiotic may be linked to serious and potentially lethal heart complications.

Zithromax belongs to a family of antibiotics called macrolides. Macrolides are effective against a wide variety of gram-negative bacteria. This means these drugs can treat a wide range of infections, including everything from strep throat to sexually transmitted diseases. Macrolides are physically very distinct from penicillin and related drugs, meaning that anyone with a penicillin allergy can take macrolide antibiotics without risking an allergic reaction. This benefit, combined with an aggressive marketing campaign, has made Zithromax a pharmaceutical “blockbuster,” earning billions for its manufacturers every year.

Despite its success, evidence has surfaced indicating that the popular drug may have serious health consequences. A 2012 study in the prestigious British Medical Journal (BMJ) found a link between the drug and an increased risk of various changes in the heart’s rhythm, specifically a prolongation of the Q-T interval and a greater risk of death from heart complications.

A prolongation of the Q-T interval means that the stretch between two of the coordinates changes in the heart’s charge that happen in every heart beat take longer. This change in timing could theoretically cause both ventricles of the heart to try to beat at the same time, hydraulically locking the heart, causing a particularly dangerous “widow maker” heart attack. In 2013, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement warning physicians and patients of these risks. The FDA’s statement was partially based on the BMJ article, as well as its own post-market surveillance.

Lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of Zithromax. These Zithromax lawsuits allege that the manufacturers were aware of the risk of serious heart problems associated with this drug through post-market surveillance, peer-reviewed journal articles, and even their own clinical testing. The Zithromax lawsuits further allege that the manufacturers were not only aware of these risks, but actively concealed them from health care professionals and patients—preventing them from having the information they needed to make informed medical decisions.

Help for Zithromax Injuries

If you or someone you care about took Zithromax and went on to experience heart problems, you’ve almost certainly been through a trying ordeal. The types of heart problems allegedly linked to this drug are medical emergencies, which require intensive medical care. This can translate to prolonged hospital visits, which entails lost wages from missed work and mounting medical bills. And unfortunately, these complications can potentially be lethal, leaving family members and other survivors facing not only the emotional toll of such a situation, but financial burdens such as lost income potential and final expenses.

It is important to remember that regardless of the challenges you have faced, 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—no one gets paid unless you do. And from this consultation, you can receive additional guidance on the best steps to take in your exact situation.