ketek

Ketek (telithromycin) is a ketolide antibiotic. Telithromycin helps the body fight infection that is caused by bacteria.

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

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

Important information

Ketek 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 Ketek 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 Ketek 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 Ketek 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. Ketek will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Ketek if you are allergic to telithromycin, or if you have:

• myasthenia gravis;

• if you are also taking cisapride (Propulsid) or pimozide (Orap);

• if you have kidney or liver disease AND you are taking colchicine (Colcrys); or

• if you have a history of 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).

To make sure you can safely take Ketek, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood;

• kidney or liver disease;

• heart disease or a heart rhythm disorder; or

• a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Ketek will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether telithromycin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Ketek without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Ketek?

Take Ketek exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Ketek can be taken with or without food.

Do not crush, chew, or break the Ketek tablet. Swallow it whole.

Ketek is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor"s instructions. Try to take this medicine at about the same time each day.

Take Ketek 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. Ketek will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Storeat room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Ketek is not expected to cause overdose symptoms.

What should I avoid?

Ketek may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking Ketek and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

If you also use theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Theochron, Uniphyl, and others), avoid using it within 1 hour before or after you take Ketek.

Ketek side effects

Ketek 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 to Ketek: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Ketek 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 Ketek 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.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Ketek?

There are many other drugs that can cause serious drug interactions if you take them together with Ketek. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• colchicine (Colcrys);

• cholesterol-lowering medicine such as simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev, Advicor), atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet); or

• heart or blood pressure medicine such as amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta, Amturnide), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others.

Many other drugs can interact with Ketek. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);

• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Gengraf, Neoral);

• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

• itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);

• metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL);

• rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rifamate);

• tacrolimus (Prograf) or sirolimus (Rapamune);

• ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methylergonovine (Methergine);

• heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), dronedarone (Multaq), ibutilide (Corvert), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Quin-G), or sotalol (Betapace);

• a sedative such as diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), temazepam (Restoril); or

• seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), phenobarbital (Solfoton).

This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with Ketek. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.