Ketek Generic Name: telithromycin (tel ith row MY sin) Brand Names: Ketek, Ketek Pak
What is the most important information I should know about Ketek? Ketek may cause sudden and serious liver damage. In rare cases, liver failure can develop and may cause death. Stop using the medication and call your doctor right away if you have nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Do not take Ketek if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid) or pimozide (Orap), or if you have a muscle disorder called myasthenia gravis. Before taking Ketek, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction or liver problems caused by Ketek or similar antibiotics such as erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E.E.S.), azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), troleandomycin (TAO), or dirithromycin (Dynabac).
Take Ketek for as many days as it 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 will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
Yup yup YUP*)!!
Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
^
Posted by Julie4848 (Member # 13065) on :
I found this about it...I tried it once, never again...I was sick for two days after one pill...and this was a few years ago for a sinus infection, not my lyme...
FDA Warning On February 12, 2007, the Food and Drug Administration announced a revision to the labeling of Ketek to improve patient safety. The changes included the removal of two of the three previously approved indications: acute bacterial sinusitis and acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. The agency determined that the balance of benefits and risks no longer supported approval of the drug for these indications. Ketek will remain on the market for the treatment of community acquired pneumonia of mild to moderate severity (acquired outside of hospitals or long-term care facilities). In addition, the FDA worked with the manufacturer to update the product labeling with a "boxed warning," FDA's strongest form of warning. The warning states that Ketek should not be used in patients with myasthenia gravis, a disease that causes muscle weakne
Posted by Truthfinder (Member # 8512) on :
Good grief. Thanks, Luvs.
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
Ketek was the one of the first abx's I was on. It did a lot of good for me, and I had no bad effects.
You do need to get your liver panels run regularly, monthly I believe.
I think the important thing is to be aware of the dangers and what to watch for. That plus the liver panels!
[ 26. November 2007, 12:09 AM: Message edited by: lymednva ]
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
I can't be certain, but I believe I got pancreatitis from Ketek. It was not acute, but I've had chronic pain in my right abdomen ever since taking Ketek. I can no longer eat dairy without pain and have to keep my fat very low.
My LLMD will not put me on IV antibiotics because of the pancreatitis, which means I might not be able to kick the Lyme.
My Lyme symptoms improved significantly on Ketek. But in the long run, it may not have been worth it.
Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
Aniek
I am so sorry to hear about your bad experience.
It is so difficult to know what to do and what not to do.
I just did a quick google of pancreatitis and found this information. I bet you are already up on it, but I'll post the link anyway.