Zithromax: Zithromax-Induced Liver Injury

Zithromax (azithromycin), also known as the “Z-Pack,” is one of the most powerful and popular antibiotics currently on the market.  Azithromycin is in a class of drugs called macrolide antibiotics and primarily fights bacteria in the body.  Zithromax was first released in the United States in 1992 in capsule form for adults.  In 1995, it was approved by the FDA as the first azalide antibiotic for use in children with acute ear infections caused by pneumonia, meningitis and other childhood infections. 

Manufactured and sold by Pfizer, Zithromax is different than most antibiotics because it delivers elevated and continual antibiotic levels to the infected area.  This means patients can take just one pill a day for as little as 3 days, as opposed to the usual dose of 3 pills a day for 10 days.  This attribute has made Zithromax the top selling oral antibiotic in its class, and the second biggest selling antibiotic in the world.  Because Zithromax is so strong, and is primarily eliminated from the body through the liver, it has the potential to cause severe liver damage and even liver failure. 

Macrolide antibiotics are well known for their potential to cause liver damage and doctor’s have long been warned not to prescribe this type of drug to patient’s with liver disease or dysfunction.  Additionally, as early as 1996 physicians began reporting severe and even fatal liver damage in some patient’s with previously normal liver function after ingesting just one 3-day course of Zithromax.  Despite this, Pfizer did not warn the public and the health community of this potential problem, until they were forced to do so by the Food & Drug Administration in 2000.  In 2001, a statement was added to the label for Zithromax, warning that abnormal liver function, jaundice, necrosis, hepatic failure and death have been reported by patient’s who have ingested the drug.  Despite this, Zithromax continues to be prescribed at an alarming rate.

If you believe that you, or someone you know, has suffered a liver-related injury as a result of taking Zithromax, please contact Lewis Saul & Associates toll-free at (888) 747-5342 or use our convenient online contact form.  A member of our firm will contact you by the next business day for a free consultation.