Brand Names: Ketek, Ketek Pak

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

• What is telithromycin (Ketek)?
• What are the possible side effects of telithromycin (Ketek)?
• What is the most important information I should know about telithromycin (Ketek)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking telithromycin (Ketek)?
• How should I take telithromycin (Ketek)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Ketek)?
• What happens if I overdose (Ketek)?
• What should I avoid while taking telithromycin (Ketek)?
• What other drugs will affect telithromycin (Ketek)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is telithromycin (Ketek)?

Telithromycin is an antibiotic. 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 purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Ketek 400 mg

oblong, orange, imprinted with H3647, 400

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, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using telithromycin and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;
• confusion, hallucinations; or
• problems with vision (difficulty focusing, double vision).

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild diarrhea;
• mild nausea, vomiting;
• vaginal itching or discharge; or
• changes in your sense of taste.

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.

Read the Ketek (telithromycin) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about 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).

You should not take telithromycin if you have a muscle disorder called myasthenia gravis, if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid) or pimozide (Orap), or if you have kidney or liver disease AND you are also taking colchicine (Colcrys).

Do not take this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction or liver problems caused by telithromycin or similar antibiotics such as erythromycin (E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, EryPed, Pediazole), azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), troleandomycin (TAO), or dirithromycin (Dynabac).

Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Telithromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.