Ketek
= Prescription Required 
= Generic Equvalent
|
Ketek 400mg Tablets
Telithromycin
|
Ketek Prescription Drug Information
Telithromycin (By mouth)
Telithromycin (tel-ith-roe-MYE-sin)
Treats pneumonia (a lung infection) that is caused by bacteria. Ketek is an antibiotic.
Brand Name(s):Ketek Pak, Ketek
There may be other brand names for Ketek.
When Ketek Should Not Be Used:
You should not use Ketek if you have had an allergic reaction to telithromycin or any macrolide antibiotic, such as azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, Biaxin®, E-Mycin®, or Zithromax®. You should not use Ketek if you have myasthenia gravis, or if you have ever had jaundice (yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes), hepatitis, or other liver problems. Do not use telithromycin if you are also using pimozide (Orap®).
How to Use Ketek:
Tablet
- Your doctor will tell you how much of Ketek to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
- You may take Ketek with or without food.
- It is best to take Ketek once a day at the same time everyday.
- Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
- Keep using Ketek for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.
If a dose of Ketek is missed:
- If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. Do not take more than one dose in 24 hours.
How to Store and Dispose of Ketek:
- Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
- Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
- Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid While Taking Ketek:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are using cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), metoprolol (Lopressor®, Toprol®), rifampin (Rifadin®), sirolimus (Rapamune®), sotalol (Betapace®), tacrolimus (Prograf®, Protopic®), theophylline (Theo-24®), or a diuretic ("water pill") such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, or Lasix®. Tell your doctor if you are also using medicines to lower your cholesterol (such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, Advicor®, Caduet®, Lipitor®, Mevacor®, or Zocor®), sedatives or medicines to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, midazolam, triazolam, Dilantin®, Halcion®, Versed®, or Tegretol®), ergot medicines (such as ergotamine, Cafergot®), medicines to treat fungal infections (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, Sporanox®, or Nizoral®), medicines for heart rhythm problems (such as dofetilide, procainamide, Procanbid®, Pronestyl®, or Tikosyn®), or a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®).
Warnings While Using Ketek:
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, certain heart problems (such as QT prolongation), a slow heartbeat, low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood, or kidney disease.
- You might feel faint or have trouble seeing after you take Ketek. This is more common after the first or second dose. You might have blurred vision, double vision, or trouble focusing, especially when you change from looking far away to looking up close. These symptoms might last for several hours after you take your dose and may come back with the next dose. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you feel like fainting or if you cannot see well. Talk to your doctor if you feel faint or have trouble seeing when you take Ketek.
- Stop using Ketek and call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of liver disease. This may include severe stomach pain, unusual tiredness or weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, yellow skin or eyes, or clay-colored stools.
- Do not take Ketek for any other infection. You should only use it for pneumonia if your doctor tells you to.
- If you have severe diarrhea, ask your doctor before taking any medicine to stop the diarrhea.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
Possible Side Effects While Using Ketek:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
- Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
- Fainting spells, or lightheadedness.
- Fast or irregular heartbeat.
- Muscle cramps.
- Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or severe pain in your upper stomach.
- Severe diarrhea (watery and may be bloody).
- Skin rash or itching.
- Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
If you notice these less serious side effects while taking Ketek, talk with your doctor:
- Dizziness.
- Headache.
- Tiredness, fatigue, or body aches.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by Ketek, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088
