Zithromax is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics on the U.S. market. However, the medication has been linked to rare but potentially life-threatening side effects including liver and kidney damage.

Patients are often prescribed Zithromax to treat bacterial infections such as tonsillitis, pneumonia, ear infections and skin infections. The medication, commonly known as Z-pak or Zmax, is an attractive option for patients because of its short three-day and five-dose prescription lengths.

Despite its popularity, there have been several reported cases of Zithromax induced liver disease and kidney damage. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration required Zithromax manufacturer Pfizer to include a caution of abnormal liver function side effect on the drug’s warning label.

Zithromax Liver Complications

According to the National Library of Medicine, Zithromax (azithromycin) can cause liver damage even in otherwise healthy patients. The NLM reports that “Because azithromycin has become so commonly used, it has also become one of the more common causes of drug induced liver injury.”

Zithromax liver damage symptoms include:

• Jaundice
• Fatigue
• Dark urine
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Clay-colored stools

The NLM reports that Zithromax consumers can experience liver damage even after being on the medication for two or three days. While the NLM states that the majority of patients recover from Zithromax liver damage within four to eight weeks after discontinuing Zithromax, there are cases where patients experience prolonged jaundice and vanishing bile duct syndrome.

The National Library of Medicine also reports that there have been rare instances when a Zithromax consumer developed acute liver failure and died due to Zithromax induced liver disease.

Some Zithromax lawsuits allege that Pfizer knew of the liver damage side effects but did not disclose the information on the warning label until the FDA required the company to do so in 2001.

Zithromax Kidney Damage

In a published report by the Oxford Journals, the online source discusses two cases in which kidney damage has been associated with Zithromax use. In one case, a 16-year old previously healthy girl was diagnosed with renal failure after taking a six-day course of Zithromax for bronchitis.

Doctors were able to reverse the medical condition and the patient was able to recover fully four weeks later. However, the report states that “it is important to consider azithromycin as a possible cause of acute and chronic kidney damage both in cystic fibrosis and in previously healthy subjects.”

Kidney disease symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the hands, legs, feet, face, ankles
• Skin rash
• Fatigue
• Change in urination
• Metallic taste in the mouth

Zithromax Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

Zithromax attorneys are investigating patient claims that Pfizer minimized the dangerous health risks linked to the medication while they over-marketed the product with superiority claims.

Other severe Zithromax side effects may include cardiac arrhythmia, heart attack, birth defects, and the potentially fatal skin reaction Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

Patients who have experienced serious Zithromax side effects may have a legal claim. Contact a personal injury lawyer to find out if you can join a Zithromax class action lawsuit.