It seems almost unthinkable: you visit the doctor for a simple infection and weeks later you are fighting for your life and are hoping for a donor for your liver transplant.

For some patients taking the popular antibiotic, Zithromax liver failure became a harsh and unexpected reality.

What is Zithromax?

Zithromax is a popular antibiotic that is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Earaches, upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections and skin infections are often treated with Zithromax.

The antibiotic has become so popular that it is often asked for by name when a patient visits a physician. Both patients and physicians are fond of the drug because it appears to be highly effective and the treatment duration is much shorter than that of traditional antibiotics.

Zithromax is a macrolide antibiotic that works in a different way from traditional antibiotics which aim to kill bacteria. Zithromax works by halting the reproduction of bacteria. Because the amount of bacteria is not continually mounting while Zithromax is used, the body has a chance to use its own immune system to get the infection under control.

Traditional antibiotics typically require a 10 to 14 day course to be effective, and stopping the antibiotic too soon could lead to the infection not being eradicated. With Zithromax, the most commonly prescribed dosage is a five day course of antibiotics. Other popular dosages include a three-day course and a single megadose of the antibiotic.

Zithromax Liver Failure

Liver damage resulting from Zithromax liver failure can be so severe that a liver transplant is required. A person cannot survive without a well-functioning liver, as it is one of the major organs that filters out toxicity in the body. A body can become toxic if the liver is unable to do its job.

Signs of potential Zithromax liver failure include:

• Elevated liver enzymes on laboratory testing
• Dark urine
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

A number of potential Zithromax liver failure side effects would not normally caused much concern, as these side effects can be seen when taking a variety of medications, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, fatigue and even a slight fever may be part of the symptoms of the initial infection itself and are often included under the mild side effects of the medication.

Side effects such as jaundice, dark urine and elevated liver enzymes are more common, however not all patients may experience jaundice or dark urine that would prompt them to seek further medical attention.

For some patients experiencing Zithromax liver failure, discontinuing the drug may be enough for the body to recover. For others at the other end of the spectrum, a liver transplant may be the only option to keep the body properly functioning.

Filing a Zithromax Liver Failure Lawsuit

If you have suffered from Zithromax liver failure following the use of the antibiotic drug, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injury. Plaintiffs who file lawsuits against drug manufacturers may be able to recover damages related to medical expenses, loss of spousal companionship, pain and physical suffering, emotional suffering and more.

An attorney is available to review your case at no charge and can help you understand the legal options that may be available to you.