Telithromycin
Generic name: Telithromycin [ tel-ith-roe-MYE-sin ]
Brand name: Ketek
Drug class: Ketolides
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 7, 2024.
Warning
- Do not take if you have myasthenia gravis. Very bad and sometimes deadly breathing problems have happened with telithromycin in people who have myasthenia gravis.
Uses of Telithromycin:
- It is used to treat bacterial infections.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Telithromycin?
- If you have an allergy to telithromycin or any other part of telithromycin.
- If you are allergic to telithromycin; any part of telithromycin; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you turned yellow or had liver side effects with azithromycin, clarithromycin, dirithromycin, erythromycin, or telithromycin.
- If you have any of these health problems: Long QTc on ECG or other heartbeat that is not normal, slow heartbeat, or low potassium or magnesium levels.
- If you take colchicine and have kidney or liver problems.
- If you are taking any of these drugs: Atorvastatin, carbamazepine, cisapride, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lovastatin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, pimozide, rifampin, simvastatin, ergot drugs like ergotamine, or drugs used for a heartbeat that is not normal.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with telithromycin.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take telithromycin with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Telithromycin?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take telithromycin. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how telithromycin affects you.
- To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
- Do not use longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
- This medicine may cause a type of abnormal heartbeat (prolonged QT interval). If this happens, the chance of other unsafe and sometimes deadly abnormal heartbeats may be raised.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using telithromycin while you are pregnant.
- Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.
How is this medicine (Telithromycin) best taken?
Use telithromycin as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Take with or without food.
- Swallow tablet whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- Keep taking telithromycin as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
- If you also take theophylline, take it at least 1 hour before or after telithromycin. Talk with your doctor if you have questions.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Very bad dizziness or passing out.
- Fast or slow heartbeat.
- A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
- Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
- Change in eyesight.
- Feeling confused.
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
- Muscle weakness.
- Vaginal itching or discharge.
- Diarrhea is common with antibiotics. Rarely, a severe form called C diff–associated diarrhea (CDAD) may happen. Sometimes, this has led to a deadly bowel problem (colitis). CDAD may happen during or a few months after taking antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools. Check with your doctor before treating diarrhea.
- Very bad and sometimes deadly liver problems have happened with telithromycin. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
What are some other side effects of Telithromycin?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Dizziness.
- Headache.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Diarrhea.
- Change in taste.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Telithromycin?
- Store at room temperature.
- Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time telithromycin is refilled. If you have any questions about telithromycin, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
More about telithromycin
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: ketolides
- Breastfeeding
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Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.