Zithromax is one of the most popular antibiotics in the United States, but has been alleged to cause the devastating side effect Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), the infamous skin reaction that causes patients to develop skin lesions and burn-like symptoms.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an extreme allergic skin reaction caused by a patient’s autoimmune response to a medication. While relatively rare, with approximately 300 cases reported each year in the United States, Stevens Johnson Syndrome causes serious and sometimes permanent damage. SJS is characterized by red or purple skin lesions that cause the infected areas of the skin to peel off, exposing patients to the possibility of infection. Many SJS patients are treated in hospital burn units because their injuries resemble severe burns.

Zithromax is one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics in the country, treating a variety of bacterial infections like urinary tract, respiratory, and ear infections. Zithromax was approved by the FDA in 1992 to treat respiratory and skin infections, but has been expanded to treat almost every variant of bacterial infection, including some sexually transmitted diseases.

Overview of Zithromax SJS Complications

Zithromax has been proven to be a widely successful product, earning billions in profits for its manufacturer before generic variations were released. Even with generic formulations available, Zithromax managed to garner $435 million in 2012. Experts believe that Zithromax is successful because it has a very effective treatment mechanism and a shorter prescription course than other antibiotics. In contrast to the standard ten-day prescription regime for antibiotics, Zithromax requires only five, making it exceptionally popular among children and parents.

Despite its effectiveness and convenience, it has been recently alleged that Zithromax causes severe side effects in patients, including Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Experts are unsure exactly what causes SJS and which patients may be afflicted, leading to reluctance to include the risk of SJS on drug warning labels.

Some experts argue that since cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome do occur, the risk should be mentioned on any drug label that has been shown to cause it. Patients agree, and many have already filed Zithromax SJS lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturer, Pfizer, complaining that Pfizer deliberately concealed information about the risks of SJS. Potential plaintiffs are encouraged to contact a lawyer.