Zithromax, a popular antibiotic, in recent years has been connected with both kidney and liver side effects, some of which can be quite severe.

Zithromax (azithromycin) is also marketed as Z-Pak and Zmax. It is a Pfizer Inc.’s best-selling antibiotic. The drug was first approved to treat bacterial infections in 1991 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

U.S. sales of Zithromax have been high since its approval, and peaked at $2 billion in 2005. Sales dropped mostly due to the growing availability of generic azithromycin.

Reports have linked Zithromax with the development of several serious side effects, including liver and kidney complications.

Zithromax has been approved to treat both adults and children for a variety of issues. Adults may be prescribed this drug to fight respiratory infections or sexually transmitted diseases, while children may take it for conditions such as ear infections or pneumonia.

Zithromax is a strong antibiotic, which contributes to its popularity and effectiveness, but this can also cause some issues. It is eliminated from the body through the liver, which increases the potential for liver complications such as liver damage or failure.

Pfizer has received reports of liver damage associated with Zithromax use since as early as 1996. Many of these reports showed that the complications were severe. In some cases, the complications were fatal.

In 2001, at the FDA’s urging, Pfizer updated its Zithromax label. The update included information about the antibiotic’s potential to cause liver damage as well as abnormal liver function, jaundice, necrosis, hepatic failure, and death.

Zithromax Liver Side Effects: Liver Damage

Zithromax has been linked with various liver side effects. Liver damage is a serious complication, and can be irreversible. When unnoticed or left untreated for an extended period of time, Zithromax side effects can cause enough liver damage that the liver actually fails. In these cases, a patient must undergo a liver transplant to survive.

Liver damage can usually be managed if spotted early enough. Symptoms include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Severe fatigue
• Dark urine
• Elevated liver enzyme levels

Zithromax Lawsuits

Plaintiffs who file Zithromax lawsuits against Pfizer claim that the pharmaceutical company and other manufacturers have a legal responsibility to inform of the potential risks associated with their products. These plaintiffs allege that Pfizer did not adequately disclose the risks, minimizing and omitting severe and dangerous side effects.

If you or someone you know has been affected by liver damage or kidney damage after using Zithromax, you may be able to file a lawsuit individually, or join a class action lawsuit.