Ketek (Telithromycin) Patient Information: Side Effects and Drug Images at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Sinus Infection »

Sinus infection facts

Sinus infections are caused by infections from a pathogenic microorganism (virus, bacterium, or fungus), which grows within a sinus and causes intermittent blockage of the sinus ostium.
Most people do not transmit sinus infections; most clinicians agree that except for rare instances, sinus infections are not contagious but arise from mainly viruses and bacteria that, by chance, contaminate a person who sinuses support their proliferation because of minor, and rarely, major abnormalities in the person's sinus tissue (for example, swelling, inflammation, abnormal mucus production, and rarely, facial or nasal trauma).
Sinusitis is inflammation of the air cavities within the passages of the nose. Sinusitis can be caused by infection, but also can be caused by allergies and chemical or particulate irritation of the sinuses.
Sinusitis may be classified in several ways such as acute sinus infec...

Read the Sinus Infection article »

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Ketek Patient Information Including Side Effects

Brand Names: Ketek, Ketek Pak

Generic Name: telithromycin (Pronunciation: tel IT roe MYE sin)

What is telithromycin (Ketek)?

Telithromycin is in a group of drugs called antibiotics. Telithromycin helps the body fight infection that is caused by bacteria.

Telithromycin is used to treat bacterial infections in the lungs and sinuses.

Telithromycin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

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 once if you have any of these serious side effects:

diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
irregular heartbeats;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
problems with vision (difficulty focusing, drooping eyelid);
muscle pain or weakness;
trouble swallowing; or
loss of balance, coordination, or ability to climb stairs or rise from a chair.

Less serious side effects may include:

mild nausea, vomiting;
vaginal itching or discharge;
headache; or
dizziness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about telithromycin (Ketek)?

Do not take telithromycin if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid) or pimozide (Orap), or if you have a muscle disorder called myasthenia gravis.

Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction or liver problems caused by telithromycin or similar antibiotics such as erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), troleandomycin (TAO), or dirithromycin (Dynabac).

Take this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated. Telithromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

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