Ketek Defined

Ketek, from the class telithromycin, is an antibiotic treatment for certain respiratory infections which are caused by bacteria, like bronchitis and pneumonia. Ketek can kill many kinds of bacteria that infect the lungs and sinuses but it cannot kill viruses such as virus that can cause common colds. Ketek is manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis and was granted approval in April 2004 by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Ketek Special Warnings

There were reports of severe liver disease associated with the use of Ketek. Some cases were known to have developed liver damage and got worst after taking several doses of Ketek. If show some symptoms of liver disease or hepatitis such as exhaustion, body aches, nausea, loss of appetite, jaundice or yellowing of skin or eyes, itchy skin, light-colored stools, dark urine, stomach aches, discontinue taking Ketek and contact your healthcare provider right away.

When you have myasthenia gravis, discuss with your healthcare provider regarding other treatments before using Ketek. If you are taking Ketek and the symptoms of your myasthenia gravis worsen such as muscle weakness or difficulty in breathing, you should discontinue taking Ketek and seek medical attention immediately.

General Precautions with Ketek

You must avoid taking Ketek if you:

• Have a serious reaction to or have suffered liver-related side effects while taking Ketek, or any antiniotics called “macrolides,” includingerythromycin, azithromycin through Zithromax, clarithromycin in the form of Biaxin or dirithromycin in the form of Dynabac.
• Are presently taking cisapride in the formof Propulsid or primozide in the form of Orap.

Ketek may cause vision problems, especially when you are looking between objects close by and objects far away. Eye problems include blurred or hazy vision, double vision, and difficulty in focusing. Even though most of the reported problems range from mild to moderate, and some patients suffered severe vision that may impede with normal activities. These problems lasted for few hours and in some patients, repeated with succeeding dosage.

If you are taking Ketek, you must be careful when you are driving a motor vehicle, operating heavy machinery, or doing other dangerous activities.

What shall I tell my healthcare provider?

Inform your healthcare provider if you:

• You or any of your family member have uncommon heart condition called as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
• Are undergoing some treatment for heart rhythm problems with medicines known as antiarrhythmics such as quinidine, procainamie, or dofetilide; or if you are have blood postassium, also known as hypokalemia; or low blood magnesium, also known as hypomagnesemia.
• Are pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or are breastfeeding your baby.
• Have an ailment called myasthenia gravis.
• Have any other severe medical conditions which include liver, heart, or kidney ailments.
• Have suffered jaundice, a condition characterized by yellowing of the skin and/or eyes.

Ketek Food and Drug Interactions

Inform your healthcare provider regarding all prescription and/or nonprescription medicines that you take which include herbal supplements and vitamins. Inform your healthcare provider if you take or taking:

• Cisapride (Propulsid) or pimozide (Orap); and simvastatin, lovastatin, or atorvastatin for reducing of cholesterol. You should discontinue the treatment with these medicines while you are using Ketek.
• Medicines that fix heart rhythm known as “antiarrhythmics” including quinidine, provainamide, or defetilide
• Any of these medicines:
  • Itraconazole
  • Midazolam
  • Ketoconazole
  • Ergot alkaloid derivatives
  • Digoxin
  • Carbamazepine
  • Cyclosporine
  • Hexobarbital
  • Tacrolimus
  • Metoprolol
  • Phenytoin
  • Theophylline
  • Sirolimus
  • Rifampin
• Diuretics, also called as water pills likefurosemide or hydrochlorothiazide
• Warfarin and other oral anticoagulants, sometimes called as blood thinners

What are the side effects associated with taking Ketek?

Ketek may cause the following side effects. Inform your healthcare profession if one or more of the symptoms below are present and they are serious and/or persistent;

• Upset stomach
• Diarrhea
• Loose stools
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Changes in the ability to taste
• Blurred vision

Some side effects can be severe and if you experience any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider soonest possible:

• Fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
• Extreme exhaustion
• Lack of energy
• Fainting
• Flu-like symptoms
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
• Pain in the upper right side of the stomach
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Hives
• Skin rashes
• Itching
• Hoarseness

Obtaining Legal Assistance

All medications have their particular side effects and it is the responsibility of the drug manufacture to produce safe products and inform the medical community and the general public about its known associated with its drugs. If the manufacturer fails to do these, they can be held legally liable if the patients are injured as the consequence of insufficient warnings or the dangerous nature of the medicine, under the legal theory known as “product liability.”

If you or any of your family members have suffered symptoms or unusual medical conditions while taking Ketek, you must first contact your doctor or healthcare provider. Then, you may want to look for an experienced lawyer to discuss your legal options and safeguard your right to remedy for any injury as a result of taking Ketek.