Ketek

 
Generic Name: telithromycin

Brands: Ketek

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What is the most important information I should know about Ketek?

· Take all of the Ketek that 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 may cause vision problems such as difficulty focusing, blurred vision, or double vision. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Contact your health care provider if changes in vision affect your daily activities.

· Do not take Ketek if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid) or pimozide (Orap).

 

What is Ketek?

· Ketek is in a class of drugs called ketolide antibiotics. Ketek fights bacteria in the body.

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

· Ketek may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Ketek?

· Do not take Ketek if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid), pimozide (Orap).

· Before taking Ketek, talk to your doctor if you     ·have kidney disease;     ·have liver disease or have had liver problems due to use of Ketek in the past (jaundice);     ·are allergic to macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E.E.S., PCE, Erythrocin), azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), troleandomycin (TAO), or dirithromycin (Dynabac).     ·have myasthenia gravis (a neuromuscular disorder);     ·have low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia);     ·have low levels of magnesium in the blood (hypomagnesemia);     ·have irregular heartbeats; or     ·or a close family member have a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.

· You may not be able to take Ketek, or you may require a dosage adjustment and special monitoring during treatment.

· Ketek is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Ketek will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Ketek without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

· It is not known whether Ketek passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

 

How should I take Ketek?

· Take Ketek exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

· Ketek can be taken with or without food.

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

· Take all of the Ketek that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.

· Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

· Symptoms of an Ketek overdose have not been reported.

 

What should I avoid while taking Ketek?

· Ketek may cause vision problems such as difficulty focusing, blurred vision, or double vision. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Contact your healthcare provider if changes in vision affect your daily activities.

 

What are the possible side effects of Ketek?

· If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Ketek and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:     ·an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);     ·liver problems (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue);     ·irregular heartbeats; or     ·fainting.

· Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Ketek and talk to your doctor if you experience     ·changes in vision such as difficulty focusing, blurred vision, or double vision;     ·nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;     ·headache; or     ·dizziness.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

 

What other drugs will affect Ketek?

· Do not take Ketek if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid) or pimozide (Orap).

· If you are taking theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair, Respbid, Elixophyllin, others), take it at least 1 hour before or after taking Ketek.

· Before taking Ketek, tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:     ·certain cholesterol-lowering medications including simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor), and atorvastatin (Lipitor);     ·an ergot alkaloid medication such as ergotamine (Cafatine, Cafergot, others) or dihydroergotamine (Migranal, D.H.E. 45);     ·a benzodiazepine (for insomnia or anxiety) such as midazolam (Versed), alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), temazepam (Restoril), and others;     ·itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);     ·sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine);     ·rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane);     ·quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute);     ·procainamide (Pronestyl, Procanbid);     ·dofetilide (Tikosyn);     ·disopyramide (Norpace);(     ·amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone);     ·phenytoin (Dilantin);     ·carbamazepine (Tegretol);     ·phenobarbital (Luminal);     ·metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL);     ·cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);     ·tacrolimus (Prograf);     ·sirolimus (Rapamune); or     ·digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps).

· You may not be able to take Ketek, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Ketek. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has additional information about Ketek written for health professionals that you may read.

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