One of America’s most popular antibiotics has been allegedly causing severe side effects in patients, including the serious allergic skin reaction Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

Stevens Johnson Syndrome and azithromycin (brand name Zithromax) have been associated for the past several years, due recent injury reports by patients.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an extremely rare allergic skin reaction specifically caused by a medication, often characterized by red or purple skin lesions.

These lesions cause the skin to detach, making the layers of a person’s skin painfully separate from the body. Oftentimes the throat swells, causing difficulties with breathing and eating.

Other complications of SJS include swelling in the eyes and other mucus membranes and organ damage, which can potentially result in death.

At this point in time, the medical community is unsure which medications can induce this reaction, but Stevens Johnson Syndrome and azithromycin have been one of the most commonly reported drugs linked to this reaction.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Azithromycin Use

Stevens Johnson Syndrome and azithromycin has been concerning the medical community for several years, since the FDA sent a warning letter to Pfizer on June 19, 2012.

The FDA warned Pfizer that their Zmax brochure had minimized the risks and side effects of the medication. In addition, the agency stated the brochure had exaggerated the drug’s benefits and did not adequately explain the risk of Stevens Johnson Syndrome and azithromycin use.

While the FDA acknowledged the fact that Pfizer’s Zithromax warning label mentioned SJS, the agency warned the company did not adequately explain the condition. Particularly, the FDA noted that Pfizer failed to disclose the fact that Stevens Johnson Syndrome is potentially fatal.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome and azithromycin still remains a persistent problem in the medical community and general public, as indicated by a recent study conducted on ehealthme. The study collected injury reports from the FDA and social media, analyzing 17,408 patients who had been prescribed azithromycin.

When the results were consolidated on Oct. 17, 2016, the study found that 263 (1.51 percent) of the patients had developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome. As mentioned before, Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an extremely rare reaction, with only 300 cases diagnosed per year in the United States.

However the fatality rate of SJS is significant at 15 percent, with the chances of survival worsening if the condition progresses.

Early signs of this condition are flu-like symptoms, which may occur soon after starting the medication. Patients should report any off symptoms to their physicians as soon as possible.

Even though Stevens Johnson Syndrome and azithromycin use can be a potentially fatal correlation, Pfizer and generic manufacturing companies allegedly failed to sufficiently explain the risk to patients.

Patients who suffered azithromycin SJS may be able to file legal action against the manufacturer, and should contact a specialized lawyer.