Physicians warn that the commonly prescribed antibiotic Zithromax can cause kidney failure. This warning comes after doctors treated a previously healthy 16-year old girl who developed the life-threatening condition after taking the drug.

Zithromax, often referred to as a Z-pak or Zmax, is a popular treatment option for many bacterial ailments including respiratory tract infections. The teen was prescribed Zithromax after developing bronchitis and took it for six days before developing acute renal failure.

The normally healthy girl was brought to the ER after 10 days of symptoms including fatigue, vomiting, and abdominal pain. After running multiple tests, doctors found that the 16-year old was suffering from kidney failure. Physicians were able to treat the teen for Zithromax kidney failure, and after four weeks she recovered fully.

This case prompted physicians to alert the medical community that while Zithromax-induced kidney failure may be reversible, Zithromax should be considered as a possible cause of kidney damage even in previously healthy individuals.

Zithromax Side Effects

This isn’t the first time that Zithromax (generic azithromycin) has been suspected of causing damaging side effects. Numerous patients have filed Zithromax lawsuits, alleging that Zithromax side effects caused dangerous medical conditions such as kidney failure, liver damage, cardiac arrhythmia, and the rare allergic skin condition known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

Zithromax kidney disease is a rare but life-threatening complication of the antibiotic medication. Symptoms are similar to the ones that the previously healthy teen experienced, including: fatigue, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, swelling in hands/feet/legs, metallic taste in the mouth, and skin rash.

Liver disease caused by Zithromax is another serious side effect linked to the medication. In a recent study by the National Library of Health Medicine, researchers found that Zmax users are at a greater risk for developing toxic liver disease. Symptoms of Zithromax liver damage include: dark urine, fatigue, abdominal pain, skin discoloration, nausea, vomiting and clay-colored stools.

Zithromax consumers have also reported that the medication caused heart attacks, birth defects, and even sudden death.

Number of Zithromax Lawsuits Continues to Grow

Zithromax is one of the most popular antibiotic treatments in the U.S. Attractive because of its short prescription length, Zmax is prescribed to treat many bacterial infections including pneumonia, tonsillitis, ear infections, skin infections, and respiratory infections.

However, numerous Zithromax lawsuits have been filed after patients experienced one of the many life-threatening side effects linked to the medication.

Often times, plaintiffs filing Zithromax lawsuits claim that drug manufacturer, Pfizer, downplayed the serious health risks of the medication while they over-marketed the product to physicians and patients. There are some consumers who joined a Zithromax class action lawsuit against Pfizer alleging that the company knew of the kidney and liver damage side effects, but did not fully disclose that information on the warning label.

Zithromax attorneys seek to get their clients the financial compensation needed to pay for the medical costs associated with treating a life-threatening condition. In addition, lawyers are determined to get compensation for the pain and suffering caused by taking Zithromax.

Contact a Zithromax lawyer if you’ve experienced one of the many serious Zithromax side effects to see if you have legal claim.