Zithromax (also known as azithromycin, Z-Pak or Zmax) is a popular antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Most commonly, Zithromax is used to treat upper respiratory infections, skin infections, ear infections and sexually transmitted infections.

Zithromax is preferred by patients and physicians for its ease of use. While other antibiotics may require refrigeration and multiple doses for 7-10 days, a Z-Pak can make a patient’s time in complying with the medication regimen a lot easier, and doctors appreciate the increased compliance.

A typical Z-Pak is taken in just five days with 2 pills taken the first day and single pills taken for the next four. There are also shorter treatment durations of a high single dose or a three-day regimen.

While most antibiotics work by killing off bacteria, Zithromax has a different method of action. It considered a macrolide antibiotic and works by keeping the bacteria from multiplying and growing rather than destroying the bacterial organism.

In this way, the immune system is not so overwhelmed by the ever-increasing number of bacteria to fend off, and eventually the body’s innate immune response is able to control the bacteria to eradicate them on its own.

Zithromax Side Effects

As with any medication, Zithromax comes with a list of potential side effects. Most individuals taking Zithromax are able to take the medication despite the side effects. Some common side effects of the drug include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Upset stomach or stomach pain
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Trouble sleeping
• Itching or mild rash
• Tinnitus (ringing in ears)

Other more severe side effects are also noted but tend to occur with less frequency. These include:

• Cardiac arrhythmia (change in heart rhythm) which can be potentially fatal
• Liver Disease
• Kidney Disease
• Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

Zithromax and Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is an allergic drug reaction that can be caused by a number of medications, with Zithromax being one of the more common. The condition usually starts out with flu-like symptoms, and patients may dismiss their condition as catching the flu or a bad cold, or just as a part of their condition for which they originally were seeking treatment.

SJS often begins with body aches, lethargy, fever, chills, and fatigue. After the initial flu-like symptoms, the mucous membranes are usually affected with blisters, then the rash spreads to the skin. The rash is usually reddish or purple with bumps and is often found in the mouth, nose, eyes, and genital areas as well as anywhere on the skin.

The SJS rash then causes skin loss after the blistering, often making the skin slough off in sheets. The skin’s appearance looks as if the patient has suffered from burns. The condition is considered a medical emergency and the patient must be hospitalized, and is often treated in the hospital’s burn unit, if there is one, or in the intensive care unit.

If SJS progresses, it can turn into a more severe form of the condition called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). In TEN, 30 percent or more of the patient’s body is covered in the rash, and with SJS, it is less than 30 percent.

With both conditions, the internal organs may be damaged, and there can also be blindness. Both conditions can be fatal, which is the case in about 5-10 percent of patients experiencing Stevens Johnson Syndrome and 25-35 percent of patients who are dealing with Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

There is no cure for SJS or TEN. The drug must be immediately stopped and symptom management is undertaken, trying to keep patients hydrated and free of infection and pain. It may take several weeks to several months for patients to heal from these conditions.

Zithromax Lawsuit Information

If you or a loved one has experienced SJS or TEN as a result of Zithromax usage, you may be entitled to legal compensation. A lawyer can review your case at no charge and can help you decide if filing a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer is right for you.