Zithromax (azithromycin), otherwise known as Z-Pak or Zmax, is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections like ear infections, sinusitis, strep throat, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

In 1994, the FDA approved the Pfizer-manufactured drug for sale on the market.

The drug quickly became a “blockbuster” and it still maintains solid sales, earning $435 million in 2012 alone.

In recent years, however, there have been allegations that the drug has an increased risk of side effects, such as Zithromax liver damage or liver failure.

What Is Zithromax?

The active ingredient in Zithromax is azithromycin, which belongs to a medication class called macrolide antibiotics. Azithromycin is designed to stop bacterial growth within the body. It can be used to treat several bacterial infections, but not the flu, colds, or other viral infections.

Zithromax comes in tablet and liquid forms and can be used to treat several types of illnesses in adults and certain ailments in children.

The drug is FDA-approved to treat pediatric ear infections, pneumonia, and throat infections such as strep throat. Zithromax can also be used to treat adult conditions such as:

• Sinus infections
• Ear infections
• Skin infections
• Gastrointestinal infections such as traveler’s diarrhea
• Throat infections such as strep throat and tonsillitis
• Lung infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis
• Sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea

Zithromax and Liver Failure

Zithromax is filtered out of the body by the liver. The risk of liver damage is increased because the medicine is particularly powerful. Pfizer received reports of liver failure soon after the drug’s release in 1994, but it was not until 2000 that the company warned the public of this risk.

In 2001, the FDA required the company to update the warning label on Z-Pak about possible jaundice as well as abnormal liver function, damage, or failure.

Zithromax Lawsuits

Pfizer has faced many legal problems and Zithromax lawsuits due to its manufacturing and marketing of Zithromax. In June 2012, the FDA warned Pfizer that a promotional brochure for the medicine did not comply with federal rules and regulations.

Specifically, the brochure was misleading because it minimized and omitted information about the drug’s risks while making unsubstantiated superiority claims. Additionally, the brochure implied that Z-Pak was suitable to treat conditions that it had not been approved to treat.

Someone who has been injured by this drug may have a valid Zithromax lawsuit. Manufacturers have a duty to design a reasonably safe medicine as well as provide adequate warnings.

If you or a loved one has suffered liver damage or liver failure while taking Zithromax, then you may not have been adequately warned about the dangers of the drug.

Zithromax patients or family members who wish to file a claim against Pfizer should seek a knowledgeable and experienced attorney to discuss legal options and pursue the best course of action for each individual case.