I have been taking Ketek (mainly for a respiratory infection) for about a month and have experienced some improvement in my Lyme symptoms. Actually I am quite impressed with the improvement but... as of late I've been having visual disturbances.
I'm certain that they are drug induced as I have never had focusing problems previously. Additionally, they start a couple of hours after taking the medication and then subside as we approach the end of the 24 hour period.
Today, I contacted the company that makes Ketek to inquire about the unusual side effects.. Unfortunately, I was less than enthusiastic about the response to my questions.
My questions were, "What is the mechanism of the drug that causes the disturbances?.... according to the rep, the company doesn't know. I then asked the question, "What are the potential visual long-term side effects" Again, her answer did not placate my concerns.
Basically she said they don't know.
Now I have a question to all Lyme vistims that have tried Ketek , "If you have had experienced visual disturbances (from taking KETEK) did they go away when you stopped taking the medication?"
posted
Are you sure the side effects are from the drug? Could be a herx or just the Lyme. My eye problems were one of my first symptoms. They still give me problems from time to time especially in artificial light. I took ketek for 4 or 5 months and didn't notice any other eye problems.
Posts: 649 | From United States | Registered: Dec 2003
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posted
I took Ketek for 2 months and did not notice an vision problems.
Posts: 146 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jun 2005
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Monica
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 224
posted
I am on Ketek now and on occasion have blurry vision. It doesn't last very long and I haven't worried too much about it as it is listed as one of the side effects.
Posts: 1757 | From Somerset County, NJ | Registered: Oct 2000
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Hi....yes, I have started Ketek and noticed the vision thing, which is clearly published as a side effect from Ketek. I have not gone off Ketek yet so I can not share whether this will go away.
It looks to me like it is a relatively new drug barely a year old, not enough time to really study and research the full gamet, so maybe we are part guinnea pig here --- weighing the risk to benefit ratio in the need to take antibiotics for extended periods of time.
posted
When my llmd started me on ketek she told me to take it at night so the visual side effects wouldn't disrupt my day activities. She didn't expect them to be profound but knew they they could be bothersome.
I just started my 3rd month on ketek.
-------------------- When I feel blue . . . . . . its time to take another breath Posts: 296 | From East Coast | Registered: Aug 2005
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
quote:Originally posted by joshzz:
Now I have a question to all Lyme vistims that have tried Ketek , "If you have had experienced visual disturbances (from taking KETEK) did they go away when you stopped taking the medication?"
Ketek Active Ingredients: Telithromycin Representative Names: Ketek Available Product Images:
What are telithromycin tablets? What should my health care professional know before I take telithromycin? How should I take this medicine? What if I miss a dose? What drug(s) may interact with telithromycin? What side effects may I notice from taking telithromycin? What should I watch for while taking telithromycin? Where can I keep my medicine?
What are telithromycin tablets? (Back to top) TELITHROMYCIN (Ketek�) is an antibiotic. Telithromycin kills certain bacteria or stops their growth. It treats lung, sinus, and throat infections. Telithromycin will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Generic telithromycin tablets are not yet available.
What should my health care professional know before I take telithromycin? They need to know if you have any of these conditions: *diarrhea *heart disease *irregular heart beat or abnormal heart beat *kidney disease *liver disease *low blood potassium (hypokalemia) or magnesium (hypomagnesemia) *myasthenia gravis *stomach problems (especially colitis) *other chronic illness *taking cisapride (Propulsid�), pimozide (Orap�), or certain medicines known as antiarrhythmics (such as quinidine, procainamide, or dofetilide) *an unusual or allergic reaction to telithromycin or macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, or dirithromycin), foods, dyes, or preservatives *pregnant or trying to get pregnant *breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine? Take telithromycin tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take the tablets with a full glass of water. You may take telithromycin tablets with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose? If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with telithromycin? (Back to top) *alfentanil *alosetron *astemizole *carbamazepine *certain benzodiazepines (alprazolam, diazepam, midazolam, triazolam) *certain heart medications (digoxin, diltiazem, disopyramide, dofetilide, felodipine, metoprolol, nifedipine, procainamide, quinidine, verapamil) *certain medicines to treat fungal or yeast infections (itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole) *cisapride *cyclosporine *donepezil *ergot alkaloid medicines, like ergotamine *lidocaine *medicines to treat viral infections (delavirdine, indinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir, saquinavir) *methylprednisolone *norethindrone *paricalcitol *phenytoin *pimozide *rifampin *sirolimus *some 'statin' medicines for reducing cholesterol (examples: atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin) *tacrolimus *terfenadine *theophylline *trimetrexate *zonisamide
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines that you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking telithromycin? Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: *difficulty breathing *fainting spells *jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes) *redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth *severe or watery diarrhea or persistent diarrhea *skin rash, itching *swelling of tongue or throat *vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): *diarrhea *dizziness *headache *nausea *vision problems such as blurred vision, difficulty focusing, and objects doubled
What should I watch for while taking telithromycin? Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 to 3 days. Make sure to take all of this medicine as prescribed, even if you begin to feel better.
If you get severe or watery diarrhea, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
If you have vision problems while taking telithromycin, avoid driving, operating heavy machinery, or engaging in otherwise hazardous activities. You should also avoid quickly looking between objects in the distance and nearby; this may help to decrease these visual difficulties. If these vision problems interfere with your daily activities, contact you healthcare provider.
Telithromycin has been reported to cause liver problems. If you notice a yellowing of the skin or eyes, stop taking telithromycin immediately and contact your healthcare provider.
If you have fainting spells while taking telithromycin, contact your healthcare provider. Telithromycin may be affecting the way your heart beats.
If you have a disease called myasthenia gravis, telithromycin may worsen your symptoms. If you experience any worsening of your symptoms (such as muscle weakness, difficulty breathing) while taking telithromycin, stop taking telithromycin and contact your healthcare provider immediately.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking telithromycin.;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;; ;
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