A Zithromax skin reaction in kids is not altogether unusual or even necessarily dangerous, but in some cases, a rash may indicate the fatal Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Zithromax (also known by its generic name, azithromycin) was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1991.

Zithromax is used to treat bacterial infections in both adults and children.

However, as it has not been determined whether or not Zithromax is safe and effective for children under 6 months, it has not been approved for use in infants.

Most children are prescribed penicillin rather than any alternative antibiotics, but Zithromax has been a popular substitute for children who turn out to be allergic to penicillin.

Zithromax comes with several side effects, like any medication. Most of these are mild, and ultimately harmless for children, often going away on their own without further treatment.

One common side effect is a mild Zithromax skin reaction in kids, like a simple, non-painful rash. Children may also experience diarrhea and vomiting as a common Zithromax side effect.

Sometimes, however, a Zithromax skin reaction in kids may be indicative of a much more serious and dangerous side effect known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or SJS.

SJS is essentially an extreme skin rash. A mild Zithromax skin reaction in kids may develop into something more serious, so it is always best to be cautious of any rash and aware of symptoms worsening.

After the FDA became aware of the link between Zithromax and SJS, the agency asked the drug’s manufacturer, Pfizer Inc., to include a warning on the drug’s label about Zithromax SJS in adults and children alike.

Zithromax Skin Reaction in Kids

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a life-threatening Zithromax skin reaction in kids and adults, so it is essential to be aware of any skin rashes your child may experience while taking the antibiotic, even if it appears to be harmless.

If a child’s skin rash is indeed Stevens Johnson Syndrome rather than something more mild, it will become purple or red, spreading quickly across the skin and blistering. The top layer of skin dies and peels off painfully.

This can become so severe the symptoms resemble burns, often causing the rash to necessitate treatment in a hospital’s burn unit.

A Stevens Johnson Syndrome Zithromax skin reaction in kids is extremely painful and can cover huge portions of the body. In rarer cases, more than 30 percent of the body is covered in these rashes.

At this point, the damage has extended enough that the condition is reclassified as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, or TEN.

SJS Lawsuits

Zithromax lawsuits accuse Pfizer of not communicating the severity of Zithromax side effects while simultaneously over-marketing the medication as safe and effective to both patients and the wider medical community.

Plaintiffs claim that, had they been adequately warned of the dangers surrounding azithromycin, they would have chosen a safer alternative for their children. 

If your child has experienced Stevens Johnson Syndrome or other serious symptoms after taking Zithromax, you should seek medical help immediately.

If you have experienced these symptoms or been diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis after taking azithromycin, you may have reason to file a Zithromax SJS lawsuit.