Life-Threatening Reactions to Zithromax Include SJS

The United States Food and Drug Administration maintains the Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS), which monitors approved drugs for serious complications once the drugs hit the market. A 2010 report by the FDA compiled from the AERS system found that of all the life-threatening reactions experienced by pediatric patients, one-third suffered from Zithromax-induced Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome or SJS is an autoimmune reaction. When this happens, the body attacks itself, as it would a foreign bacterium or virus. A number of things can trigger SJS, including infection or cancer. But most often, SJS occurs in response to a drug like Zithromax.

In SJS, the body attacks its own skin. The syndrome starts out with flu-like symptoms, which may result in a physician prescribing antibiotics. However, the syndrome advances to a serious skin reaction. It starts with a painful, itchy rash that affects the skin and mucus membranes (like the lining of the eyes and mouth). The rash gives way to sores and ulcers. These sores and ulcers leave the patient vulnerable to serious secondary infections. Additionally, the ulcers can leave permanent scars – which can affect mobility and even cause blindness when they occur on the eyes. In some case, the SJS reaction spreads to the patient’s internal organs, and causes similar damage. In the most extreme cases, the patient’s SJS may progress to Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

In Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis or TEN, the symptoms of SJS become more extreme. The patient’s skin sloughs off in patches, causing damage similar to burns. The damaged skin is more prone to dehydration, secondary infections, and scarring than the smaller ulcers from SJS. The damage is so sever that hospitals usually treat cases of TEN in the burn wards of their ICU. Nearly half of patients with TEN succumb to the reaction.

There is no standard treatment for SJS or TEN. Physicians instead try to manage the symptoms and keep the patient alive long enough for the reaction to run its course. Some physicians have tried steroidal treatment, but there is controversy if this is safe or even effective.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of Zithromax over serious reactions like SJS and TEN. These lawsuits allege that manufacturers knew – or should have known about the serious side effects associate with their products. The SJS lawsuits further allege that the manufacturers failed to act on this information in a timely manner – or possibly even actively downplayed the risks.

If you, or someone you love, took Zithromax and went on to suffer from serious complications like SJS or TEN, there is a good chance your life has been completely turned upside down. Patients who suffer such life-threatening reactions often have several weeks of convalescence, and may have permanent damage they need to learn to cope with to continue with their lives. Survivors of patients who died from SJS and TEN often have major life adjustments to make as well, above and beyond coping with the death of a loved one. But you do have rights and there are steps you can take to get back control over your life.

You can start by visiting the Zithromax, Z-Pak, Azithromycin Heart Attack, Stevens Johnson Syndrome & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation for a free consultation by a legal specialist with a background in this type of litigation. From here, you can receive guidance on the next best steps to take in your situation.