Medical researchers warn Zithromax, commonly known as Z-Pak or Zmax, may cause abnormal and potentially life-threatening heart activity. Thousands of heart attacks world wide may be linked to this popular drug.

Zithromax is an antibiotic, often used to treat tonsillitis, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and other common bacterial infections.  In May of 2012, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched an investigation looking into Zithromax and the potential side effects it may cause relating to heart problems.

Based on their investigation, the FDA released a safety comment, warning consumers that in some users the Zithromax can disrupt the electrical activity of the heart. The FDA required Zithromax’s manufacturer, Pfizer, to make changes to the drug’s labeling, cautioning users of potential risks of developing torsades de pointes (torsades). Torsades is a life-threatening heart arrhythmia that may cause sudden cardiac death.

Additional Zithromax Heart Studies Support FDA Warning

The New England Journal of Medicine also published a study in May of 2012 that warned of the potential heart risks associated with using Zithromax.

According to researchers at Vanderbuilt University’s School of Medicine, patients who use antibiotics like Zithromax are 2.5 times more likely to die due to heart related complications than people who used alternative forms of antibiotics or no antibiotics at all. This increase in death is seen in patients after just 5 days of using Zithromax.

Results from the study showed that 47 more deaths occurred for every 1 million people who took Zithromax than those who took a competing antibiotic known as amoxicillin. When the study focused specifically on patients predisposed to heart problems that number jumped to 245 more deaths per million.

Based on the study it is clear that certain patients who use Zithromax are more at risk of developing serious heart compilations than others. People who are at greater risk include persons with existing QT interval prolongation, low blood levels of potassium or magnesium, slower than normal heart rates, and/or persons taking certain drugs to treat abnormal heart rhythms.

Even with new warnings in place the FDA suggests consulting a doctor before patients currently using Zithromax stop using the drug.

 Overview of Zithromax Lawsuits

Zithromax, generically known as azithromycin, belongs to a class of antibacterial drugs known as macrolides. They are often used to treat soft tissue infections or as an alternative to penicillin.

Product liability lawsuits against Pfizer are being filed across the country as more people come forward with reports of Zithromax side effects such as heart attack, liver failure, Stevens Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and other cardiovascular problems.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys are working to assist patients recover compensation for past medical bills and the pain and suffering they have allegedly endured due to Zithromax side effects. Families who have lost loved ones are also filing wrongful death lawsuits against the pharmaceutical manufacturers.

In some cases, the spouses of patients are joining the Zithromax lawsuits as co-plaintiffs, bringing claims for loss of consortium, or loss of spousal intimacy. This is done in hopes of receiving a higher award or settlement.