Overprescription of Zithromax Could Lead to Side Effects

Overprescription of Antibiotics Poses Threat to Public Health

After Zithromax was approved by the FDA, Pfizer engaged in an aggressive direct-to-consumer marketing campaign. Many consumers began demanding Z-Pak prescriptions from their doctors. Many of their doctors complied with their requests, even if the antibiotic was not the first choice of treatment.

This increasing reliance on antibiotics to treat patients has caused some physicians to become concerned. They believe a greater number of antibiotic prescriptions are inappropriate or unnecessary. Antibiotics are ineffective at treating viral infections such as colds and the flu. Overuse of antibiotics when they are unnecessary can lead to antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to public health. Not only do antibiotics increase the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but they can also kill off healthy bacteria that live in our bodies. While antibiotics have led to monumental advances in public health, their overuse could lead to its downfall.

Zithromax Linked to Potentially Fatal Heart Conditions

Doctors need to be especially aware of the Zithromax health risks. Not only does overuse of the drug potentially threaten public health, it can also contribute to fatal heart conditions. A study published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine compared the risks of cardiovascular deaths in patients who were treated with different types of antibiotics with patients who received no medications. In that study, researchers from Vanderbilt University examined 14 years’ worth of medical records from Tennessee Medicaid patients, and discovered that these patients experienced more than twice the risk of death from heart disease in the first five days of using the Zithromax Z-Pak when compared to patients who took other antibiotics or none at all.

On March 12, 2013, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the dangers of azithromycin because the drug can change the electrical activity of the heart and trigger a potentially fatal heart rhythm. Patients who are at risk of developing this potentially fatal heart rhythm typically have existing risk factors, such as QT interval prolongation, slow heart rate, low blood levels of magnesium or potassium, or other preexisting heart conditions. The FDA warned doctors to specifically consider the risk of potentially fatal heart rhythms when prescribing Zithromax.

Take Legal Action

If you or someone you care about has suffered from a significant heart problem after taking Zithromax, you may be eligible to file a Zithromax lawsuit. If your loved one has died after taking Zithromax, you could be able to file a Zithromax wrongful death lawsuit. To learn more about your legal options, visit our Zithromax, Z-Pak, Azithromycin Heart Attack, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Class Action Lawsuit Settlement & Investigation page. When you submit information about your injuries, a Zithromax lawyer will review your claim, free of charge. If you qualify to file a Zithromax lawsuit, you could receive compensation for your pain and suffering, medical costs and lost wages.