Zithromax (azithromycin), also known as Z-Pak and Zmax, is a popular antibiotic introduced by Pfizer in 1991.

It is convenient to use because it has a short dosing regimen. Depending on what it is being used for, it is taken for one, three or five days.

It soon became one of the best-selling antibiotics in the United States and the world. Total sales peaked at $2 billion in 2005 and only started to drop due to competition from generic availability of azithromycin.

In 2011, U.S. sales of Zithromax totaled $464 million. Zithromax can be used by people who are allergic to penicillin. Despite its advantages, Zithromax can have serious, sometimes fatal, side effects including kidney and liver failure.

What is Zithromax?

Since Zithromax hit the market in 1992, it has been considered one of the most popular antibiotics for use in the treatment of bacterial infections. The appeal of Zithromax lies in the drug’s ability to provide continual levels of antibiotics to infected areas.

Thus, the potency is considerably higher when compared to other traditional oral antibiotics. However, it is this potency that can cause severe liver or kidney damage when the body processes the drug.

Zithromax Liver Damage

Zithromax, also known as Z-pak, has been linked to an increased risk of liver damage, elevated liver enzymes, jaundice and death. In January 2011, the FDA updated Zithromax’s warning label to include the risk of liver failure, which has resulted in the death of some patients.

Patients who show signs of abnormal liver function while taking Zithromax are urged to see their medical professional and possibly discontinue use if advised by a doctor or healthcare professional.

Common symptoms of liver damage are:

• Yellow eyes
• Jaundice
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Clay-colored stool
• Dark urine
• Elevated or abnormal liver enzymes

Pfizer Aware of Zithromax Liver Damage

Zithromax lawsuits have presented evidence that Pfizer was aware of Zithromax liver dangers as early as 1998, even though it did not update its warning label to reflect the risks until 2001 when the FDA mandated change to the label.

In 2009, Pfizer agreed to pay $2.3 billion in a record-breaking settlement. In the lawsuit, Pfizer faced criminal and civil allegations of illegally marketing Zithromax and 12 other drugs.

It was accused of off-label marketing and paying kickbacks to doctors for pushing drugs including Zithromax. The settlement included a $1.2 billion criminal fine, $1 billion in civil penalties, and $100 million in criminal forfeiture.

The criminal fine was, at the time, the largest fine ever in a U.S. criminal case. It was also Pfizer’s fourth settlement of government charges in a decade

Zithromax Kidney Damage

Along with liver damage, kidney complications have also been reported by Zithromax patients as a rare, but dangerous, side effect of the medication. Consumers claim the antibiotic caused kidney infections, kidney damage and in some cases kidney failure.

Kidney failure symptoms include:

• Metallic taste in the mouth/ammonia breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in urination
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, face and/or hands
• Fatigue
• Skin rash/itching
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Feeling cold
• Leg pain

Zithromax Lawsuits

Drug manufacturers have a legal duty to disclose all the potential side effects of their medication. When companies do not adequately inform patients, they can be held liable for failure to warn and negligent marketing.

Some Zithromax consumers who have experienced a life-threatening Zithromax complication have filed dangerous drug lawsuits in order to be financially compensated for the medical costs of treating their condition, as well as for the pain and suffering they have endured.

Some consumers file Zithromax lawsuits as individuals, while others choose to join a Zithromax class action lawsuit. In general, plaintiffs allege Pfizer downplayed any serious Zithromax side effects including liver failure and kidney damage while they over-promoted the medication.