Study Establishes Link between Zithromax and Heart Complications

A fourteen-year study conducted at Vanderbilt University found a correlation between Zithromax and heart complications. The study observed approximately 540,000 Tennessee Medicaid patients from 1992 to 2006.

According to the results of the study, there was approximately a 47% greater chance of cardiac-related complications occurrence among Zithromax users compared to those who took other antibiotics or no antibiotics at all. The study was primarily conducted to observe the adverse side effects occurring from using Zithromax because it was suspected that Zithromax had been causing problems in patients at the time. This suspicion was confirmed when 29 Zithromax patients died in the study, each from cardiac complications.

From the results, the researchers calculated that the number of deaths per 1 million Zithromax prescriptions would be approximately 85. As control groups, other antibiotics were use in this experiment and were distributed amongst the patient population. According to the researchers, the patients in each drug group had comparable risks for heart complications.

This study has attributed to many investigations revolving around Zithromax, has been used in various lawsuits and litigation, and has appeared in numerous scientific journals including the New England Journal of Medicine. This study also caused the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to release a public warning regarding Zithromax cardiac complications between 2010 and 2012.

“The study reported an increase in cardiovascular deaths, and in the risk of death from any cause, in persons treated with a 5-day course of Zithromax (Azithromycin) compared to persons treated with amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, or no drug. The risks of cardiovascular death associated with levofloxacin treatment were similar to those associated with azithromycin treatment,” the FDA announced in a public statement regarding the study.

As of now, Zithromax is currently prescribed for the following conditions:

• Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic pulmonary disease        
• Acute bacterial sinusitis
• Community-acquired pneumonia
• Pharyngitis/tonsillitis
• Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections
• Urethritis and cervicitis
• Genital ulcer disease

With this in mind, the FDA also advised that patients who had preexisting cardiac complications or low potassium or magnesium levels in the blood, they are at a higher risk of suffering from these and other possible side effects of Zithromax. Lastly, the FDA advised doctors to consider alternative medicines before prescribing Zithromax, as it may not be worth the risk to the patient.

Overview of Zithromax Complications

Zithromax (Athizromycin), has been available on the United States market for the two decades, and is manufactured by Pfizer Inc. It is among the top-selling drugs in the United States, reaching over $464 million in sales in 2012. It is often used to treat bronchitis, sinus infections, pneumonia, and other common bacterial infections. Many medical experts attribute its success to its short prescription-requirement regime. Zithromax only requires five days of taking the medication, whereas most antibiotics require ten or more. This makes it vastly popular amongst children and adults alike.

Despite the drug’s popularity, this drug has come under litigation fire for the injury reported that have been in association with this drug. However, none of these side effects have been indicated on the drug’s warning label, including cardiac complications. This has led to a massive amount of class-action lawsuits, as well as several multidistrict litigation (MDL) suits, against Pfizer Inc.

File a Zithromax Lawsuit Today

If you believe that you or a loved one have been the victim of a Zithromax cardiac complication, you have legal options. Please visit the Zithromax, Z-Pak, & Azithromycin Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned Zithromax lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The Zithromax attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.