Zithromax Overprescription May Be Stunting New Antibiotic Development

Antibiotic research has hit a wall, according to a PBS Frontline investigation. This leaves medical experts concerned, because it allows popular antibiotics, particularly Zithromax, to control the antibiotic market.

Due to the fact that antibiotics are prescribed for a short time period, typically 10 days, and that several popular antibiotics dominate the market, drug makers do not feel compelled to make new ones.

This lack of enthusiasm to come up with new products allows large brand-name antibiotics, such as Zithromax, to continue to dominate the market, because patients do not have other options.

Overview of Zithromax Overprescription

Zithromax has been the center of the overprescription analysis for more than a year, with many physicians stating it is often prescribed unnecessarily or should not be prescribed at all. For example, Zithromax is sometimes prescribed to treat viral infections, which cannot effectively be treated with antibiotics. Zithromax, also called Z-Pak, is the most popular antibiotic in America and is manufactured by Pfizer Inc. It brings in more than $1 billion in profits for the company each year.

The main contribution to the drug’s success, many experts believe, is the drug’s short prescription requirement. Compared to other medications, Zithromax only requires five days of the medication while most other antibiotics require 10. Zithromax is generically known as azithromycin, and is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections including upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis and community-acquired pneumonia.

Among the adverse affects reported are liver injury and failure, cardiac complications and Stevens Johnson Syndrome. The warning for liver failure was announced by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2011, and was officially added to the drug’s warning label.

Despite the problems, it clearly will be quite a while before any drug is developed that could pose a threat to Zithromax’s popularity. As long as Zithromax remains one of the only choices on the market, patients are going to opt for the medication rather than contend with their treatable conditions. Therefore, the problem of overprescription of Zithromax is likely to continue.

Join a Free Zithromax Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of a Zithromax/Z-Pak injury such as a heart attack, liver damage, or Stevens Johnson Syndrome, you have legal options. See if you qualify to join a free Zithromax class action lawsuit investigation and pursue compensation for you or your loved one’s injuries:

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