Zithromax Still a Risk for Cardiac Events

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When people think of reasons for heart attack, they usually think of obesity, high cholesterol, or stress. It is unlikely that antibiotics make it onto this list – but unfortunately in some cases they do. Zithromax, generic azithromycin, a popular and commonly-prescribed antibiotic, was found to increase the chance of a cardiac event.

Manufactured by Pfizer Inc., Zithromax or Z-Pak may trigger an irregular heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) in some patients that can be potentially deadly. Zithromax is a macrolide antibiotic, and was supposed to be comparatively free of cardiotoxic effects, compared to its sister antibiotics, erythromycin and clarithromycin. These two drugs were known to “increase the risk of serious ventricular arrhythmias and are associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death.” But a study in the New England Journal of Medicine in May 2012 suggested otherwise.

Studies

The New England Journal of Medicine published a study in 2012 showing that those taking Zithromax were two times as likely to die of a sudden cardiac event or heart attack compared to those taking amoxicillin. Moreover, individuals with preexisting heart conditions or heart disease face an even higher risk of a heart attack if taking Zithromax.

More recently, researchers at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine looked at patients at VA medical centers. In their studies of Zithromax heart attack risks, they found that Zithromax dramatically increased the risk of cardiac injury in certain patients. The findings, published in the Annals of Family Medicine in March 2014, also support long-lasting arguments that antibiotics like Zithromax are being over-prescribed, raising the risk of antibiotic-resistant organisms.

Insufficient Warning

In March 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a Zithromax warning announcement. The statement alerted the public of the connection between Zithromax and sudden heart death, saying that the drug was dangerous and could be fatal to individuals with pre-existing heart conditions, taking arrhythmia medications, or to the elderly. However, these Zithromax side effects are not mentioned on the antibiotic’s warning label.

In addition to heart attack, Zithromax has also been associated with cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome, liver failure and other Zithromax side effects. The number of people who have filed Zithromax lawsuits against Pfizer has increased by people who realize their loved one may have been injured or killed by the same drug that was supposed to heal them.

Join a Free Zithromax Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of a Zithromax/Z-Pak injury such as a heart attack, liver damage, or Stevens Johnson Syndrome, you have legal options. See if you qualify to join a free Zithromax class action lawsuit investigation and pursue compensation for you or your loved one’s injuries:

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