Zmax, a form of the popular antibiotic Zithromax packaged in a single mega-dose pill, packs a lot of punch in the fight against bacteria.  It has been used to treat respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, ear infections and more.

Instead of killing the bacteria directly, Zmax stops the reproduction of bacteria. In this way, the body’s own immune system can kill a more manageable level of bacteria thereby eradicating the infection.

As with any prescription or over-the-counter medication, side effects are possible. With Zmax, many of the side effects are mild and fade as time goes on. These include diarrhea, headache, nausea, vomiting, sleeping, itching, dizziness, ringing in ears or a Zmax skin rash.

Zmax Skin Rash Side Effects

Sometimes, a Zmax skin rash is nothing more than mild skin irritation that will quickly resolve. Other times a Zmax skin rash can be very serious, and potentially even fatal. A Zmax skin rash that results from a severe drug reaction is known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

Initially, the symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome mimic those of a cold or flu, with general feelings of malaise, fatigue, fever, sore throat and headache. These symptoms may be similar to the underlying infection that Zmax was prescribed to treat.

Soon after, however, red or purple blisters characteristic of the SJS Zmax skin rash appear in the mucous membranes or on various areas of skin on the body.

This rash causes skin cells to die and skin to flake off, sometimes in large sheets if a large areas of skin is affected. SJS is a medical emergency and patients must be hospitalized in order to treat the condition. The offending drug, in this case Zmax, must be immediately stopped in order to stop the reaction from progressing.

There is no cure for SJS. Supportive care in the hospital consists of pain management, IV nutrition and hydration and wound care to prevent further complications.

Some patients recover over a few days to a few weeks, while others may remain hospitalized for months. Sometimes, patients may escape with little to no permanent damage, while others suffer blindness, organ damage and organ failure, with 5 to 15% of the cases becoming fatal.

Was Your Zmax Skin Rash Diagnosed as SJS?

If your Zmax skin rash was diagnosed as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, you may be eligible to file a product liability lawsuit against the product’s manufacturer. Products liability lawsuits allege that the manufacturer engaged in the defective design, manufacturing or information released about a product.

Plaintiffs who go on to file products liability lawsuits may be able to recover damages related to medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of spousal companionship and more.

Claimants may also seek punitive damages against the manufacturer designed to punish the manufacturer for the alleged wrongdoing.

An experienced attorney familiar with Zmax skin rash issues and Stevens Johnson Syndrome can provide you with a free case consultation to review the details of your case to help you decide if filing a lawsuit is right for you.