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Have you ever taken the antibiotic Zithromax, more commonly known as “Z-Pack” or “Zmax”?
You probably have, as 55.3 million prescriptions for this popular antibiotic were written in
the last year alone. Zithromax, known generically as azithromycin, is prescribed to treat common
bacterial infections, including bronchitis, pneumonia, sore throats and earaches. It is
often prescribed over amoxicillin, another common antibiotic, because of its easier dosing
regimen. After all, who wouldn’t want to take fewer pills over fewer days? However,
given the results of a recent study concerning Z-Pak side effects, that analysis may soon
be changing. Zithromax Side Effects:
A May 17, 2012 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that patients
on azithromycin had one and a half times the odds of sudden death from cardiovascular causes
than those on a similar antibiotic. The odds were even higher in patients with high-risk
cardiovascular conditions. The study analyzed data from 350,000 Medicaid
patients who took azithromycin from 1992 to 2006. According to Dr. Wayne Ray, professor
of preventative medicine at Vanderbilt University and lead author of the study, “the risk
of death may outweigh convenience and compliance, at least for high-risk patients.”
According to the study, there are 47 more deaths for every million people who took Zithromax
instead of amoxicillin, which jumps to more than 245 deaths for those at high-risk for
heart problems. Individuals at high-risk include those with heart failure, diabetes, previous
heart attacks or prior bypass surgery or those who have had stents implanted. In these individuals,
the drug may cause abnormal heartbeats called arrhythmia, which can be fatal.
FDA and Zithromax Warning This is not the first time concerns over Zithromax
have been raised. As part of a review undertaken by the FDA in 2011, the Zmax drug label was
revised to include abnormal heart rhythms as one of the side effects of Zithromax.
In light of the recent azithromycin study, the FDA is continuing its review and encouraged
healthcare professionals and patients to report adverse events or azithromycin side effects
to the agency’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. .
Zithromax Lawsuits The lawyers at Bernstein Liebhard LLP are
currently investigating claims on behalf of patients who suffered serious side effects
following treatment with Zithromax. If you or a loved one believes a sudden death or
heart arrhythmia resulting in hospitalization may have been the result of Zithromax use,
please call us today for a free and confidential consultation.