Zithromax (also known as azithromycin, Z-Pak or Zmax) is a popular antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Most commonly, Zithromax is used to treat upper respiratory infections, skin infections, ear infections and sexually transmitted infections.
Zithromax is preferred by patients and physicians for its ease of use. While other antibiotics may require refrigeration and multiple doses for 7-10 days, a Z-Pak can make a patient’s time in complying with the medication regimen a lot easier, and doctors appreciate the increased compliance.
A typical Z-Pak is taken in just five days with 2 pills taken the first day and single pills taken for the next four. There are also shorter treatment durations of a high single dose or a three-day regimen.
While most antibiotics work by killing off bacteria, Zithromax has a different method of action. It considered a macrolide antibiotic and works by keeping the bacteria from multiplying and growing rather than destroying the bacterial organism.
In this way, the immune system is not so overwhelmed by the ever-increasing number of bacteria to fend off, and eventually the body’s innate immune response is able to control the bacteria to eradicate them on its own.
Zithromax Side Effects
As with any medication, Zithromax comes with a list of potential side effects. Most individuals taking Zithromax are able to take the medication despite the side effects. Some common side effects of the drug include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Upset stomach or stomach pain
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping
- Itching or mild rash
- Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
Other more severe side effects are also noted but tend to occur with less frequency. These include:
- Cardiac arrhythmia (change in heart rhythm) which can be potentially fatal
- Liver Disease
- Kidney Disease
- Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Zithromax and Stevens Johnson Syndrome
Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is an allergic drug reaction that can be caused by a number of medications, with Zithromax being one of the more common. The condition usually starts out with flu-like symptoms, and patients may dismiss their condition as catching the flu or a bad cold, or just as a part of their condition for which they originally were seeking treatment.
SJS often begins with body aches, lethargy, fever, chills, and fatigue. After the initial flu-like symptoms, the mucous membranes are usually affected with blisters, then the rash spreads to the skin. The rash is usually reddish or purple with bumps and is often found in the mouth, nose, eyes, and genital areas as well as anywhere on the skin.
The SJS rash then causes skin loss after the blistering, often making the skin slough off in sheets. The skin’s appearance looks as if the patient has suffered from burns. The condition is considered a medical emergency and the patient must be hospitalized, and is often treated in the hospital’s burn unit, if there is one, or in the intensive care unit.
If SJS progresses, it can turn into a more severe form of the condition called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). In TEN, 30 percent or more of the patient’s body is covered in the rash, and with SJS, it is less than 30 percent.
With both conditions, the internal organs may be damaged, and there can also be blindness. Both conditions can be fatal, which is the case in about 5-10 percent of patients experiencing Stevens Johnson Syndrome and 25-35 percent of patients who are dealing with Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.
There is no cure for SJS or TEN. The drug must be immediately stopped and symptom management is undertaken, trying to keep patients hydrated and free of infection and pain. It may take several weeks to several months for patients to heal from these conditions.
Zithromax Lawsuit Information
If you or a loved one has experienced SJS or TEN as a result of Zithromax usage, you may be entitled to legal compensation. A lawyer can review your case at no charge and can help you decide if filing a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer is right for you.
Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The Zithromax attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or Zithromax class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, Zithromax lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.
Get Help – It’s Free
Join a Free Zithromax Class Action Lawsuit Investigation
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with liver failure, kidney failure, Stevens Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis after taking Zithromax, Z-Pak, Zmax or azithromycin, you may have a legal claim. See if you qualify by filling out the short form below.
A Zithromax attorney will contact you if you qualify to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you.
- First Name*
- Last Name*
- Street Address*
- Apt. #
- City*
- State*
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific
- Zip Code*
- Phone*
- Email*
- Please list an emergency contact name and phone number:*
- What is the best time to call you?*
- Did you, or a loved one, use Zithromax/Z-Pak/Zmax/Azithromycin?*
YesNo
- What year(s) did you or your loved one take this drug?*
- Please select which symptoms you or your loved one were medically diagnosed with:*
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Liver Failure/Damage
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Kidney Failure/Damage
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Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
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Stevens Johnson Syndrome
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Heart Attack
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Cardiovascular Problems
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Birth Defects
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Not Listed (please detail the symptoms in the comments section if this is selected.)
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No Diagnosis/Injury
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- What are the specific problems you, or a loved one, experienced after taking Zithromax, Azithromycin, Zmax or Z-Pak?*
- Did these injuries require hospitalization?*
YesNo
- ¿Necesita un orador español?
- Yes
- No
- Please enter any additional details you would like the staff reviewing your submission to know.*
- Have you already retained an attorney to file a Zithromax, Z-Pak or Azithromycin lawsuit?*
NoYes
- I understand and agree that submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship and that the information I submit is not confidential or privileged and may be shared.*
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Yes
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