Ketek (Telithromycin) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 26, 2012

Ketek

Pneumonia »

Pneumonia facts

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by different types of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Symptoms of pneumonia include cough with sputum production, fever, and sharp chest pain on inspiration (breathing in).
Pneumonia is suspected when a doctor hears abnormal sounds in the chest, and the diagnosis is confirmed by a chest X-ray.
Bacteria causing pneumonia can be identified by sputum culture.
A pleural effusion is a fluid collection around the inflamed lung.
Bacterial and fungal (but not viral) pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs which is usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, one-third of all people who developed pneumonia subsequently died fro...

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KETEK®
(telithromycin) Tablets

Ketek (telithromycin) is contraindicated in patients with myasthenia gravis. There have been reports of fatal and life-threatening respiratory failure in patients with myasthenia gravis associated with the use of Ketek. (See CONTRAINDICATIONS.)

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of KETEK (telithromycin) and other antibacterial drugs, KETEK (telithromycin) should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria.

DRUG DESCRIPTION

KETEK® tablets contain telithromycin, a semisynthetic antibacterial in the ketolide class for oral administration. Chemically, telithromycin is designated as Erythromycin, 3-de[(2,6-dideoxy-3C-methyl-3-O-methyl-α-L-ribo-hexopyranosyl)oxy]-11,12-dideoxy-6-O-methyl-3-oxo-12,11[oxycarbonyl[[4-[4-(3-pyridinyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]butyl]imino]]-.

Telithromycin, a ketolide, differs chemically from the macrolide group of antibacterials by the lack of α-L-cladinose at position 3 of the erythronolide A ring, resulting in a 3-keto function. It is further characterized by a C11-12 carbamate substituted by an imidazolyl and pyridyl ring through a butyl chain. Its empirical formula is C₄₃H₆₅N₅O₁₀ and its molecular weight is 812.03. Telithromycin is a white to off-white crystalline powder. The following represents the chemical structure of telithromycin.

KETEK®
(telithromycin) Structural Formula Illustration

KETEK (telithromycin) tablets are available as light-orange, oval, film-coated tablets, each containing 400 mg or 300 mg of telithromycin, and the following inactive ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, povidone, red ferric oxide, talc, titanium dioxide, and yellow ferric oxide.

What are the possible side effects of telithromycin (Ketek, Ketek Pak)?

Telithromycin may cause sudden and serious liver damage. In rare cases, liver failure can develop and may cause death. Stop using the medication and call your doctor right away if you have nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Stop using telithromycin and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Ketek »

What are the precautions when taking telithromycin (Ketek)?

Before taking telithromycin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to macrolide antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin, clarithromycin, dirithromycin, erythromycin); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: myasthenia gravis, previous liver problems (e.g., yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine) while taking telithromycin or a macrolide antibiotic, previous allergic reaction to telithromycin or a macrolide antibiotic.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist...

Read All Potential Precautions of Ketek »

Last reviewed on RxList: 1/27/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.