Zomax Reaction
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In March of 1983 I was given Zomax for depression and traumatic stress disorder just before I moved back to Alaska. I had been taking it for about 3 days and we were on the road. I was taking a break from driving and as we were coming into Pocatello, Idaho my husband at that time woke me up. My lips were huge and swollen and my eyes were almost swollen shut. I was also having a hard time breathing. We went straight to the emergency room in Pocatello and I was told I was going into anaphylactic shock. They administered a shot of adrenalin and said that I was lucky to have gotten there when I did and hadn't gone on to Boise before seeking treatment because there was no emergency room between Pocatello and Boise and my throat was swelling shut and I could have suffocated and died. The swelling went down within a few hours, and my breathing became easier but I was very scared at that time. I was told to stop taking the Zomax by the hospital staff and I did.

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I took Zomax in the late 90's for chronic pain but thought it wasn't taken off the market until shortly after that (bit confused then about dates) What I remember was for me it really worked & it was one med that for severe pain did not make me feel like a Zombie. I have found out since that I have a genetic disposition to meds that reason work or do not work is because if pathways. I have to be on methodone for chronic pain & that only takes edge off but I can function most days. The problem however if there are snafus in getting your refills I wouldn't wish the withdrawals that are experienced on my worst enemy.

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Re: GC (# 5)

Just found an even more relevant article... 14 deaths and at least 403 anaphylactic reactions.

washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1988/12/14/panel-reopens-probe-of-suspect-painkiller

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Re: Verwon (# 4)

The new drug being marketed under the name "Zomax" is an antibiotic, not the same. The drug I took in the early 80's was withdrawn after 5 deaths and many allergic reactions.

nytimes.com/1983/03/05/us/drug-withdrawn-after-five-deaths.html

I just can't believe there is a new drug on the market under the same name! How stupid and confusing!

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Jenny, did you possible mean Xanax? It is a benzodiazepine that contains the active ingredient Alprazolam and is used to treat anxiety, and nervous disorders. The FDA warns that it carries the risk of being habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, irritability, and headache.

Zomax, however, contains the active ingredient Azithromycin, and the symptoms that others have posted as allergic reactions do match up to FDA warnings about it. It is not used to treat anxiety, or depression, but rather various types of bacterial infections. The FDA lists its typical side effects as possibly including nausea, diarrhea, non-allergic skin rash, and headache.

GC, neither medication is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, is there anyway you can check what you were taking to be sure?

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in march 9,1983 I took a zomax for painin a few minutes I was itching and it began to spread.no matter how hard I scratched it would not stop.Iwould shake as well, but I was not cold.I went to the ER because the itching and shaking was getting worse. my blood pressure rising.I begain to feel a burning in my chest and arms.the Dr.said I was swelling inside.my tongue begain swelling.I almost died.It still afects me.

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I also had a severe allergic reaction to zomax, almost dying. Swollen lips, face, itchy everywhere (i even remember my eyeballs being itchy). I had been prescribed the drug for migraine. To this day, I've had to alert doctors etc to a possible allergy to NSAIDS. Have either of you done research on what exactly caused the reactions?

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I nearly died from that Zomax. My temp went up to 106 and I was admitted to the hospital. I went through hell.
In the end my skin came off like a snake.

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