Zithromax is one of the nation’s leading antibiotics, relieving millions of patients of their bacterial infections and the symptoms.

Unfortunately, this medication has been alleged to cause numerous side effects in patients, with some side effects leading to hospitalization or even death.

One of the most recent side effect linked to  Zithromax is kidney failure.

According to a recent study conducted on ehealthme, a small number of patients experienced kidney failure soon after being prescribed Zithromax.

The data was collected through the FDA and social media, with the results being consolidated on Oct. 1, 2015. Approximately 10,961 subjects were prescribed Zithromax, with each experiencing Zithromax side effects. Overall, the results of the study indicated that 267 patients, or 2.44%, suffered early signs of kidney failure.

Kidney failure occurs when the organ suddenly loses its ability to filter waste from the patient’s blood, which can lead to the need of a kidney transplant, or even death.

At this point in time, it is unclear why Zithromax may be linked to kidney failure, but it may be associated with the way the body metabolizes the medication. Furthermore, the treatment mechanism of Zithromax may be causing other severe side effects like liver toxicity or abnormal cardiac activity.

Zithromax Side Effects

Zithromax (Azithromycin) was first approved by the FDA in 1992, to treat certain respiratory and skin infections. Since its approval, Zithromax has been approved to treat a variety of other bacterial infections like: bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections and even some sexually transmitted diseases.

It is manufactured by Pfizer, and soon became one of the most popularly-prescribed antibiotics in the United States. Before the release of generic Zithromax, the antibiotic had garnered billions for its manufacturing company per year; but even with generic Zithromax, drug’s sales still totaled $435 million in 2012.

Pharmaceutical drug experts explain that Zithromax’s popularity grew not only due to its treatment mechanism, but also for its short prescription regime. Unlike most antibiotics, Zithromax is often prescribed in five days periods, making it vastly popular amongst adults and children.

Unfortunately, the drug’s popularity does not make it exempt from adverse event reports. As mentioned before, experts believe that the treatment mechanism of Zithromax, may be triggering extreme side effects.

Zithromax belongs to the macrolide antibiotic family, which work by preventing the bacterial cells from multiplying. Instead of killing the bacteria cells like traditional antibiotics, Zithromax kills the proteins in the invading cells that allow reproduction; the remaining cells eventually shrivel and die out. Sadly, this functionality may be having adverse effects on the liver, heart, and now kidneys.

Despite the severity of these Zithromax complications, Pfizer has chosen to omit this information from its label. This has led to numerous product-liability lawsuits against Pfizer, with patients alleging that the company failed to protect them against Zithromax side effects. Medical experts advise prescribing physicians to evaluate their patient’s condition, before prescribing Zithromax.