Popular antibiotic medication Zithromax has been linked to a number of severe side effects, including the serious allergic reaction Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

This antibiotic reaction, which can also occur from other drugs, is described as a severe red or purple skin rash that quickly overtakes the body and becomes increasingly compounded with other allergic symptoms.

Zithromax (Azithromycin) was approved by the FDA in the early 1990s, and quickly made millions for manufacturer Pfizer Inc. The drug quickly overtook the antibiotic market in the United States for its quick treatment method, only requiring patients to take the medication for five days.

Compared to most other antibiotics that require a ten day prescription, Zithromax became a popular choice for parents and children.

However the complaints of Zithromax side effects have been filed for years, with a serious antibiotic reaction like SJS being a major concern for the medical community.

Even though Stevens Johnson Syndrome can occur from any adverse allergic antibiotic reaction, Zithromax has been named numerous times in correlation with the condition.

Overview of Zithromax SJS

One of the studies observing the link between Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Zithromax side effects was published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

The research focused on two cases of SJS which occurred in two patients taking Azithromycin. One patient was a 62 year old female patient while the other was a child, but both suffered severe skin rash and other SJS symptoms.

Other than the skin rash, SJS symptoms can include detaching skin, lesions appearing on the eyelids or other mucus membranes of the body, blindness, and organ damage. When the skin in the infected areas detach, it exposes internal tissue to potential infection and further compounds the condition.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a potentially fatal condition, which has been estimated to result in fatalities 30% of the time.

Oftentimes patients are treated in the burn unit of hospitals, because skin grafts are needed to replenish lost skin. As devastating as this condition is, many prescription and over the counter drugs lack the SJS warning.

Zithromax is no different in this, which has garnered major criticism for Pfizer Inc.

The FDA had issued a warning to the drug company regarding Zithromax SJS in 2012, stating the drug’s warning label did not adequately address the risk. Pfizer had reportedly included early warning signs of Stevens Johnson Syndrome, specifically the skin rash and blisters, but did not warn that this reaction could be potentially fatal.

Many patients have already been affected by Stevens Johnson Syndrome, and have opted to file legal action against Pfizer for allegedly failing to warn them against Zithromax side effects. Potential claimants should contact a specialized lawyer, to determine if they have a Zithromax SJS lawsuit.