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Zithromax Lawsuit

Zithromax Lawsuit

Zithromax (azithromycin) is an antibiotic that is used to treat many bacterial infections. In rare cases, it causes a life-threatening skin reaction called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Zithromax induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with SJS, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Overview

Zithromax (azithromycin), also known as “Z-Pak” or “Zmax,” is a popular antibiotic medication that is sold by Pfizer. In 2011, doctors wrote more than 53 million prescriptions for Zithromax. It is used to treat many types of bacterial infections, including bronchitis, pneumonia, STDs, and infections of the ears, lungs, sinuses, skin, throat, and reproductive organs.

Zithromax and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare but severe side effect of Zithromax that causes a painful skin rash with blisters on the skin and mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, nose, genitals, etc.). The risk is low — as of March 2016, five case reports have been published in medical literature. Patients have died from SJS after taking Zithromax, according to the Prescribing Information.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) is the same disease as SJS, but more severe. While SJS only covers 10% of the skin or less, TEN involves at least 30% of the skin. The risk of death increases with the size of the rash. Up to 50% of cases of TEN are deadly. For patients who survive, complications like infections, blindness, lung damage, and disfigurement are very common.

What is the problem?

Zithromax stays in the body for a long time. It takes nearly 3 days for the body to remove 50% of a 500-mg dose of Zithromax. While this allows doctors to prescribe a single large dose, it can also prolong an allergic reaction. This may increase the risk of complications from SJS. Therefore, patients who develop a rash should seek immediate medical attention, unless the rash is clearly not drug-related.

Warning Signs of SJS/TEN

  • Fever
  • Skin rash, blisters, lesions
  • Mucous membrane inflammation
  • Infections
  • Pneumonia
  • Blindness
  • Lung damage
  • Loss of hair and nail beds
  • Genital scarring
  • Skin disfigurement
  • Organ failure
  • Death

Cardiovascular Side Effects

The cardiovascular side effects of Zithromax include severe irregular heart rhythms (known as “arrhythmias”), including QT interval prolongation, Torsades de Pointes, and cardiac arrest. These side effects first highlighted in a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in May 2012. The FDA immediately issued a warning. The following year, the FDA published a Safety Communication.

In 2014, another study of 1.6 million people on antibiotics found that people on Zithromax had a 77% increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia and 48% increased risk of death in the first 5 days of treatment, when compared to patients on amoxicilin.

FDA: “False and Misleading” Zithromax Advertisements

In 2012, the FDA sent Merck a Warning Letter for failing to include warnings about cardiovascular side effects in advertising materials. The FDA also found that advertisements for Zmax were “false and misleading” because they minimized risk information, claimed it was superior to other antibiotics without evidence, omitted facts, broadened the indications for the drug, and made misleading claims about the effectiveness of Zmax.

Do I have a Zithromax Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Zithromax induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with SJS, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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