Most prescription medications provide sick patients with an opportunity to combat an illness.  However, there are circumstances when these drugs can lead to serious injuries.

One of these medications, Zithromax, has been linked to the development of a rare and life-threatening allergic reaction known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome or SJS.

About Zithromax

Zithromax (also marketed as Z-pak, Zmax and also known as azithromycin) has become a popular antibiotic medication because it works faster than most antibiotics and requires a shorter prescription period.

The drug is often prescribed to treat respiratory infections, skin infections and sexually transmitted diseases. It is often used in children to treat middle ear infections, pneumonia and tonsillitis.

Manufactured by Pfizer, the drug has been prescribed to over 40 million patients.  Although Zithromax was originally approved by the FDA as an antibiotic to treat various bacterial infections, the FDA has since updated their assessment of the drug and mandated the use of warning labels when the drug is prescribed.

Zithromax and Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information studied the link between Zithromax and a rare disease called Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Stevens Johnson Syndrome, also called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) in more severe cases, causes patients to develop an allergic reaction to the medication.

The Zithromax study investigated the link between Zithromax and the development of SJS in two azithromycin patients. One patient was a 62-year-old female and the other was a child. This potential link is especially bothersome because SJS results in death about 30 percent of the time, and the reactions can develop at any time.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a potentially fatal allergic reaction to medication. It can arise at any time and can occur even after the patient has used a particular drug for a long time with no adverse reaction.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome usually begins with a fever, sore throat and headache. As the syndrome progresses, the patient develops skin lesions and blisters. The patient’s mucus membranes in the mouth and throat can be affected, as can the eyelids.

Eventually, the patient often loses a majority of her skin, as it sloughs off. Some patients suffer internal burning as well, which can cause severe damage to internal organs. Many patients with SJS are treated in hospital burn units because of the loss of skin and risk of infection.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome can be fatal. In situations where it is not fatal, the patient often suffers long-term effects, including blindness, sensitivity to light, loss of hair, scarring, loss of nails and respiratory problems.

Zithromax SJS Lawsuits

The Pfizer-made antibiotic Zithromax can have harmful side effects for patients, including risk of Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Patients that do survive this condition tend to have permanent injuries that include scarring, difficultly eating, and vision problems. It can take months of medical treatment to recover from SJS.

Many Zithromax SJS lawsuits claim the manufacturer did not properly warn consumers about dangerous side effects associated with the antibiotic.