A growing number of Zithromax lawsuits allege the widely prescribed antibiotic can lead to the painful allergic skin rash known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). Zithromax is a popular treatment of numerous bacterial infections including ear infections, pneumonia and tonsillitis.

The medication, also known as as Z-pak or Z-Max, is especially attractive to patients due to its short prescription length. Zithromax can treat anything from skin infections to respiratory infections in a three-day and five-dose treatment. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has urged manufacturer Pfizer to include an SJS warning on the Zithromax label.

Zithromax SJS

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a potentially life-threatening skin condition that is considered a medical emergency. The dermatological condition occurs as an allergic reaction to medication like Zithromax. SJS symptoms initially mimic the flu as patients report chills, body aches and fevers. However, then a quick spreading purple or red rash begins to develop on the skin and mucous membranes. The SJS rash eventually causes the skin to blister leaving the top layer to die and shed.

When the skin rash covers up to 30 percent of the body it is referred to as Stevens Johnson Syndrome. If it progresses beyond that it is then medically referred to as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). Those who develop SJS or TEN require hospitalization while physicians treat the condition in a way similar to how they would treat a burn victim.

If doctors determine that Zithromax is the cause of the SJS skin rash they will urge patients to avoid that medication permanently.

An estimated 300 new cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome are reported each year. SJS has a 15 percent morality rate, while TEN is fatal in 40 percent of cases.

Zithromax Complications

While SJS has been a reported severe side effect to Zithromax, it is not the only complication consumers claim the antibiotic has caused.

Other serious Zithromax side effects include:

• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Birth defects
• Liver failure
• Kidney failure
• Sudden death

The FDA required Pfizer to include the risk of SJS on Zithromax’s warning label in 2012 but those who have filed lawsuits claim the caution wasn’t strong enough. The Zithromax label change included wording that alleged that while an allergic reaction is rare, it may include “severe skin rash or blisters.”

Consumers claim Pfizer should have make it clearer that Zithromax patients may develop the life-threatening SJS rash as a possible side effect to the medication.

Zithromax SJS Lawsuits

Numerous Zithromax SJS lawsuits accuse Pfizer of downplaying the severe side effects of the drug while they over-marketed the medication to the medical community as well as to patients. Plaintiffs filing Zithromax lawsuits claim they were misled into believing the antibiotic was safe and superior to other medications while Pfizer failed to fully disclose the health risks linked to the drug.

Often, filing a Zithromax lawsuit, either as an individual or by joining a Zithromax class action lawsuit, is the only way to recover the high medical costs of treating this skin condition. Contact a Zithromax attorney to find out if you have legal claim.