Many parents go to the doctor seeking prescriptions to help their children recover from minor illness and bacterial infections. However, in some cases, a medication meant to make their child better actually makes them worse because of unforeseen side effects not always clearly indicated on a drug’s label or packaging.

Such is the case for Zithromax (azithromycin). The popular antibiotic has allegedly caused children (and some adults) to develop a rare, but painful skin reaction known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

When a patient develops Zithromax SJS, the topmost layer of skin cells dies, leaving the deeper skin layers and mucous membrane exposed and prone to infection. SJS victims are usually hospitalized for weeks to months.

Even with constant monitoring and treatment, some Zithromax SJS patients may die from the trauma sustained by their body from this skin reaction.

According to Zithromax SJS reports and Zithromax lawsuits, Pfizer Inc., manufacturer of Zithromax, did not warn parents or prescribing doctors of SJS as a possible Zithromax side effect. One of the first Zithromax SJS lawsuits against Pfizer was filed in 2012 by the parents of a child who was prescribed Zithromax as an antibiotic and allegedly developed SJS immediately after taking the Pfizer drug.

SJS is a painful and scary condition for a child to experience. Children and adults who survive a Zithromax SJS reaction often have to deal with other SJS complications, including permanent scarring, injury, and even vision problems if the blisters spread to the eye membrane.

Because of the pain and suffering victims experience because of this allergic skin reaction, a number of Zithromax  consumers or their families have filed Zithromax SJS lawsuits or joined Zithromax Stevens Johnson Syndrome class action lawsuits, seeking compensation from Pfizer Inc.

Zithromax Complications

While Zithromax is effective in combating bacterial infections like pneumonia, bronchitis, and other illnesses, the drug has recently come under fire in a number of Zithromax lawsuits. The plaintiffs of these Zithromax lawsuits allege several types of injuries and complications and claims to have suffered from heart attacks, liver damage, allergic skin reactions, and other serious Zithromax side effects after taking the Z-Pak treatment.

Some serious health conditions allegedly linked to Zithromax use besides heart arrhythmia include:

• Stevens Johnson Syndrome
• Liver failure/Liver damage
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Other cardiovascular problems
• Sudden death

Because of the serious health conditions many consumers have allegedly developed and suffered after taking azithromycin, many are filing Zithromax lawsuits or joining Zithromax class action lawsuits to seek compensation from Pfizer. Parents of children who may have developed SJS after taking the Zithromax antibiotic treatment should consider pursuing Zithromax SJS litigation.