Alabama Zithromax Litigation Group
Popular antibiotic drug Zithromax (also called Z-Pak) has been linked to serious side effects including heart attacks and death. Other side effects include liver damage and eye infections, which can lead to blindness. Initially approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1994, Zithromax or Z-Pak is commonly prescribed for a variety of ailments, including:
- Bronchitis
- Sinus Infections
- Pneumonia
Study Links Zithromax to Side Effects Including Heart Attacks and Death
A study released May 17, 2012 in the New England Journal of Medicine linked Zithromax to a significant increase in heart trouble, leading to a risk of heart attack far greater than in patients taking another antibiotic, or no antibiotics at all. In a comprehensive 14-year study, researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered that for every million courses of drug treatment with Zithromax, there would be 85 deaths. Compare that with the statistics for people taking another popular antibiotic at 32 deaths per million courses of treatment. The number for people not taking any antibiotics would be only 30 deaths per million. This means that Zithromax more than doubles the risk of death in patients, regardless of risk factors for heart problems. However, those with pre-existing heart disease are at the highest risk for sudden heart complications.
According to the study from Vanderbilt University, there are:
- 85 deaths for every 1 million Zithromax courses of treatment (prescription)
- 32 deaths for every 1 million amoxicillin courses of treatment
- 30 deaths for every 1 million courses of non-antibiotic treatment
Zithromax / Z-Pak Linked to Serious Side Effects
Zithromax has been linked to other serious side effects in the past, many of which now appear on the warning label.
Liver Damage
Zithromax / Z-Pak is one of a class of drugs that are removed from the body through the liver. It should not be prescribed to patients who have liver problems. If you have a liver disease, disorder, or other liver problem, you may be at risk if you take Zithromax.
Symptoms of Liver Damage:
- Abdominal Pain
- Jaundice (the skin or eyes turn yellow)
- Fever
- Dark Urine
- Severe Fatigue
Eye Infections and Recurrent or Repeated Infections
Zithromax has been linked to repeated infections by the same bacteria in some patients. In a 2006 study, Zithromax was shown to increase the chances that a patient may be re-infected with a disease not long after treatment. It was believed that this was due to the body not having the chance to build up a resistance to the disease before the Zithromax fought off the bacteria. One particular disease studied is a bacteria that cause certain eye infections, specifically Trachoma. Trachoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the United States.
PLEASE SPEAK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE DISCONTINUING USE OF ZITHROMAX / Z-PAK (AZITHROMYCIN) OR ANY OTHER PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION.
Have You or a Loved One Had Heart Complications While on the Antibiotic Zithromax / Z-Pak (azithromycin)?
Were You Prescribed Zithromax when you have a Liver Disorder?
Have you or a Loved One Gone Blind from Trachoma after taking Zithromax to treat it?
If you or a loved one have had heart complications, liver complications, or a blinding eye infection after taking the antibiotic Zithromax, you may want to speak with a personal injury attorney regarding a potential claim. The DiLorenzo Law Firm, LLC personal injury lawyers, are working with some of the leading lawyers in the country who are handling these cases.
Please contact the law offices of The DiLorenzo Law Firm, LLC at 1 - (800) 200-3604 for a free legal consultation.
