Zithromax Linked with Increased Cardiovascular Risks

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According to a recent Zithromax study performed on elderly patients suffering from pneumonia, the popular antibiotic treatment, while effective in treating bacterial infections, may carry additional health risks.

Lead researcher Eric M. Mortenson, M.D. of  the VA North Texas Healthcare System and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, included more than 73,000 patients. All of these patients, who were hospitalized in various Veterans’ Affairs Administration hospitals for pneumonia, were over 65 years of age and 98 percent of the patients were male.

During the course of the study, Mortenson and his team of researchers compared the health of patients who were treated with Zithromax versus those who were not. The research demonstrated that Zithromax did result in a higher survival rate of older pneumonia patients.

Seventeen percent of patients given Zithromax to treat pneumonia died within 90 days of treatment, while 22 percent of patients taking other antibiotics died during the same treatment period.

However, there was an increased number of heart issues and fatal heart attacks in the group of patients who were given Zithromax. For older patients, Zithromax carries additional health risks and potentially fatal heart conditions.

Older male veterans are not the only patients who have experienced unwanted Zithromax side effects from taking the antibiotic to treat a bacterial infection. There are hundreds of Zithromax lawsuits currently being litigated against Zithromax maker Pfizer Inc.

What is Zithromax?

Azithromycin, more commonly known as Zithromax, Zmax or Z-Pak, is Pfizer’s popular antibiotic used to treated acute bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, tonsillitis, and other health issues. Since its 1996 approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Pfizer has made millions of dollars in sales from Zithromax alone.

In May 2012, the FDA released a public health warning citing a study from the New England Journal of Medicine, which showed evidence that patients taking Zithromax were 2.5 times more likely to die from cardiovascular events when compared to patients on a different antibiotic treatment.

The following year, the FDA released another public notice, stating that Zithromax allegedly caused “abnormal changes in the electrical activity of the heart that may lead to a potentially fatal irregular heart rhythm.” The notice also advised physicians to take extra caution when prescribing Zithromax, especially with patients already at risk for cardiovascular problems.

Zithromax Side Effects

Potential minor side effects associated with taking Zithromax as reported by Pfizer Inc. include:

• Chest pain, uneven heartbeats
• Severe skin reaction
• Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
• Stomach pain or upset
• Dizziness, tired feeling, or headache
• Nervous feeling, sleep problems (insomnia)
• Vaginal itching or discharge
• Mild itching or skin rash
• Ringing in your ears, problems with hearing
• Decreased sense of taste or smell

More severe health conditions reported by health care professionals and Zithromax patients include:

• Heart attack
• Stevens Johnson Syndrome
• Liver failure
• Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
• Cardiovascular problems
• Sudden death

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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