Liver Failure Leads to Increase in Zithromax Lawsuits
By Andrea Gressman
Zithromax, also known as azithromycin and Z-Pak, has become a very popular antibiotic in the medical community but also has, unfortunately, been linked to a number a very serious side effects. These include liver failure, heart attack, pyloric stenosis, as well as death in some cases. As a result of these potentially deadly side effects, Zithromax lawsuits are being filed continually across the nation. Despite the fact that liver failure was added to the Zithromax warning label a number of years after it was approved by the FDA, liver damage has plagued Zithromax since it was released onto the market and, as a result, a great number or Zithromax liver damage lawsuits have been filed.
Zithromax received an update to its label in 2001 regarding the possibility of damage to the liver as a potential side effect of Z-Pak. Zithromax belongs to an antibiotic class known as macrolides. It is the liver that is responsible for eliminating this particular type of antibiotic from a person’s body. Combine this with the reality of the intense strength of Zithromax as an antibiotic and you have a recipe for high probability for damage to the liver. Once liver damage occurs there is also a very high possibility for liver failure.
Though Pfizer withheld important information regarding the extreme risk of liver failure from its potential users, in 1996 reports were released that linked liver damage with Zithromax. This also happened just after approval was granted for children to use the drug.
A number of reports indicated that liver damage caused by Zithromax was very serious and could even lead to death. Despite these reports, Pfizer waited four years, until 2000, to begin issuing warnings to the public concerning the high probability of Z-Pak liver failure. In fact, they actually only released this information because they were forced to do so by the FDA. Finally, after years of exposing patients to harmful Z-Pak side effects without them knowing, an update was added to Zithromax labels to include jaundice, necrosis, abnormal liver operations, and fatalities are possibilities for patients using the drug.
Symptoms of Zithromax Liver Failure
Liver damage directly linked to Zithromax can be very severe. There is no cure, though the symptoms may be reduced or managed if patients quickly discontinue use of Zithromax. Liver failure that occurs as a result of using Zithromax may eventually require a liver transplant for the patient. However, this is only in the most extreme cases.
Zithromax users remain at high risk for liver damage with the probability for failure. As a precaution, users should be alerted to the symptoms resulting from damage and/or failure of the liver. The symptoms of liver failure include the following:
* Abdominal pain
* Dark colored urine
* Fever
* Jaundice – a condition in which the skin and eyes become a yellowish color
* Nausea
* Vomiting
Patients using Zithromax who are experiencing these side effects should consult their physician right away. They should also consult a Zithromax lawsuit attorney to learn more about their rights. Visit the Zithromax, Z-Pak, Azithromycin Heart Attack, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Class Action Lawsuit Settlement & Investigation page and receive your free consultation from a Zithromax lawsuit attorney that can provide expert advice on how you should proceed once you have experienced liver damage caused by Zithromax.
Updated October 17th, 2012
All medical device, dangerous drug and medical class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Drug and Medical Device section of Top Class Actions.
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
Washington residents: Did you receive a ‘refer a friend’ text for Capital One, Venmo, Tesla, Coinbase, or another company?
September 23, 2025 | Legal News
