Zithromax (azithromycin) is an antibiotic commonly prescribed for a variety of bacterial infections, including upper respiratory infections, skin infections, tonsillitis, sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections.

Rather than taking two pills a day over 10 days like many traditional antibiotics require, Zithromax, also known as Zmax, comes in smaller, more convenient dosing. A Z-Pak contains six pills for a five-day course, half the length of a typical antibiotic course. The patient typically takes two pills the first day, followed by one pill daily for the next four days.

Taking Zithromax comes with the risk of side effects. Perhaps the most serious is a rare immune reaction, Stevens Johnson Syndrome. SJS usually starts off mimicking flu-like symptoms, with aches, pains, sore throat, chills, and fever.

Patients may dismiss these symptoms as being unimportant, but soon after a rash begins to develop and then rapidly spread. The blisters of an SJS rash often appear purple or red and appear on the skin and the mucous membranes, including the eyes, nose, genital area and anus.

The cells affected by the rash die and the dead skin begins to slough off in sheets, making the patient’s body almost appear like that of a burn victim.

The rash can affect certain areas of the body to nearly the entire body. When less than 30% of the body is affected, the diagnosis is Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

If 30% or more of the body is affected, the condition is called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). The mortality rate of those with SJS is 5-10%, while those diagnosed with TEN have a poorer outlook at 25-35% of cases being fatal.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a medical emergency and patients must be hospitalized. Most are cared for in the ICU or burn unit of hospitals.

There is no treatment for SJS. Only the symptoms can be treated. Pain management, wound treatment, and IV fluids to help get the patient through the roughest parts of the illness.

Other, more common, side effects caused by Zithromax include abdominal pain or upset, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, vomiting, mild ash or itchiness, ringing in the ears, and insomnia. Most side effects will subside when the course of antibiotics is completed.

Zithromax SJS Lawsuits

Plaintiffs filing Zithromax SJS lawsuits claim that Pfizer did not adequately warn consumers about the risk of Stevens Johnson Syndrome on product labels for the antibiotic.

In 2012, 16 years after it had been on the market, the FDA issued a warning letter to Pfizer saying that the marketing materials for Zithromax failed to outline the severity of Zithromax side effects, and specifically the increased risk for SJS.

While Pfizer did update the Zithromax label to include a reference to “severe skin rash or blisters,” the drug manufacturer did not specifically indicate Stevens Johnson Syndrome by name, nor mention that it could be fatal.

If you or a loved one has developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome as a result of taking Zithromax, you may be entitled to compensation. One of our experienced attorneys will review your case in a free, confidential case evaluation and can assist you in exploring your legal options.