Ketek

The recommended adult dose of telithromycin is 800 mg (2 of the 400 mg tablets) once daily, taken with or without meals for 7 to 10 days.

Taking Ketek at bedtime helps to avoid potential side effects such as vision changes and fainting.

Do not chew or crush the tablets. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water, as Ketek has a bitter taste.

Telithromycin must be taken for the recommended duration of treatment, even if you are feeling better. This will ensure that the bacteria causing the infection are killed and cannot grow back.

It is important to take Ketek exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take Ketek at the same time each day. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take more than one dose of Ketek in a 24-hour period. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Ketek at room temperature, protect it from heat and light, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Ketek is no longer being manufactured for sale in Canada and is no longer available under any brand names. This article is being kept available for reference purposes only. If you are using Ketek, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for information about your treatment options.

Telithromycin should not be taken by anyone who:

• is allergic to telithromycin or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• is allergic to macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin)
• is taking astemizole, cisapride, Pimozide, terfenadine, or ergot alkaloids (e.g., ergotamine, Dihydroergotamine, methysergide)
• has a history of hepatitis or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes) associated with taking telithromycin or any macrolide antibiotic (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin)
• has Myasthenia Gravis

There may be an interaction between telithromycin and any of the following:

• alfentanil
• Alfuzosin
• amiodarone
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole)
• benzodiazepines (e.g., Alprazolam, Clobazam, Clonazepam, Diazepam, midazolam, Triazolam)
• Buspirone
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Verapamil)
• Carbamazepine
• Clozapine
• Colchicine
• corticosteroids (e.g., Dexamethasone, Prednisone)
• Cyclosporine
• Digoxin
• dihydroergotamine
• Disopyramide
• Divalproex
• Eletriptan
• ergotamine
• Fentanyl
• maraviroc
• methysergide
• Metoprolol
• nisoldipine
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil)

• pimozide
• procainamide
• protease inhibitors (anti-HIV medications; e.g., lopinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• Quetiapine
• quinidine
• quinine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, levofloxacin)
• Risperidone
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• salmeterol
• Sirolimus
• sotalol
• "statin" medications (e.g., Atorvastatin, Lovastatin, Simvastatin)
• St. John's wort
• Tacrolimus
• Tamsulosin
• Temsirolimus
• terfenadine
• Theophylline
• thioridazine
• typhoid vaccine
• Valproic acid
• Vinblastine
• Vincristine
• Warfarin
• ziprasodone
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Ketek. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Ketek.

Antibiotic-associated colitis: Ketek, like other antibiotics, may cause a potentially dangerous condition called antibiotic-associated or pseudomembranous colitis. Symptoms include severe, watery diarrhea that may be bloody. If you notice these symptoms, stop taking telithromycin and contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Fainting: Ketek may cause fainting, especially in people who are experiencing severe nausea, vomiting, or lightheadedness. If these symptoms occur, avoid driving, operating machinery, or participating in hazardous activities while taking telithromycin. If you faint, stop taking telithromycin and contact your doctor immediately.

Heart conditions: Telithromycin can cause an abnormal heart rhythm and should be avoided by people with certain heart rhythm problems, especially long QT syndrome, congenital QT interval prolongation, and bradycardia (low heart rate). People who have had irregular heart rhythms caused by other medications in the past should avoid taking telithromycin. It should also be avoided by people with low blood potassium or magnesium levels, and by people taking certain medications used to treat irregular heart rhythms (e.g., quinidine, procainamide, Amiodarone, Sotalol). If you experience an irregular heartbeat, stop taking Ketek and contact your doctor.

Kidney problems: People with reduced kidney function should discuss with their doctor how Ketek may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ketek, and whether any special monitoring is needed. People with severely reduced kidney function may require lower doses of telithromycin.

Liver problems: Although rare, Ketek can cause severe liver problems. If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, stop taking telithromycin and contact your doctor immediately.

People with reduced liver function should discuss with their doctor how Ketek may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ketek, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Vision changes: Telithromycin may cause blurred vision, difficulty focusing, and double vision. These vision changes are usually mild to moderate and usually occur after the first or second dose. They may last for a few hours, may recur, and usually disappear when treatment is finished. People taking telithromycin should be aware of how Ketek affects them before driving a vehicle or operating machinery. If vision changes occur, stop taking telithromycin and contact your doctor. Your doctor may suggest taking telithromycin at bedtime.

Pregnancy: Ketek should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Ketek, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if telithromycin passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Ketek, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Ketek have not been established for children under 13 years of age.