posted
When calling for a refill I just learned that Ketek was taken off the market in the US because of blood sugar problems in diabetics. Does anyone know if it is available anywhere else? I`m really upset about this. Why not just not give it to diabetics anymore?! Ketek was the only Macrolide I don`t have any problems on.
Posts: 210 | From VA | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
There just HAS to be a much more serious problem than "blood sugar problems in diabetics". What a joke, but that`s what the pharmacist said to me. If not, one has to wonder who would make a decision as stupid as taking that precious drug off the market.
Posts: 210 | From VA | Registered: Mar 2002
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daise
Unregistered
posted
It's hard to read, but a lot of reasons to beware are listed at the company website: http://www.ketek.com/
I didn't see anything about blood sugar, but again, it's hard to read and I couldn't read all of it. No way!
There is no new information on the FDA website that it was taken off the market, and the Ketek website says nothing either.
It is possible that your pharmacy's supplier has decided to no longer carry Ketek because of the risks.
It is also odd that they said blood sugar, because none of the information relates to blood sugar and diabetics. Ketek has been linked to respiratory failure in people with myasthenia gravis and has caused liver failure resulting in death or need for liver transplants. This suggests to me that your pharmacy might be getting drugs confused.
I was on Ketek about 2 years ago. My liver enzymes were fine, but I have had right abdominal pain ever since taking Ketek. I had a short period of elevated pancreatic enzymes and have something abnormal in my liver that appeared in an mri.
I can't try IV drugs because of this. I may not be able to try strong orals again. I'm not sure, but I can't help but wonder if this is because of Ketek.
I had great improvement on the drug, but I wonder if I've lost the chance of a full recovery because of it.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
It looks like an antibiotic called Tequin was recently taken off the market for increasing blood sugar in diabetics. Perhaps the pharmacy got some wires crossed.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Thank you for the responses. I could not find anything either about all this on the internet. I know that macrolides mess up the blood sugar and have been through it myself with Zithromax and even worse with Biaxin. That`s why I was so glad about having Ketek. I`m going to talk to the pharmacist again tomorrow and let you know.
Posts: 210 | From VA | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
That is odd. Ketek was the first oral I tried and I was on it for 9 months. I did monitor my liver every 2 weeks with no issues at all. I made HUGE gains while on Ketek. It really helped my joint pain. It was a miracle med for me.
-------------------- Lucy Posts: 342 | From Hawaii | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
I went back to the pharmacy today to talk again about the Ketek and as it turns out the pharmacist really had it confused with Tequin, just like Anniek suggested. Thank goodness, I was extremely worried about this. K.
Posts: 210 | From VA | Registered: Mar 2002
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dontlikeliver
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4749
posted
I was on Ketek about 4 months and it made the biggest difference for me. Nothing else has been as good since or made such a noticeable difference. I didn't get any liver issues, but after 4 months I did get stomach intolerance issues to it.
Posts: 2824 | From The Back of Beyond | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
I have been on Ketek for years, basically ever since it came out I think, and never had any problems. I get my liver enzymes checked once a month and so far no problems. EKGs are ok too.
Posts: 210 | From VA | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
I've been on Ketek for a while and at first my liver enzymes were off a bit, but when I started taking milk thistle and methyl B12 shots with it everything was fine.
Posts: 499 | From Indiana | Registered: Oct 2007
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djf2005
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11449
posted
ketek is not a macrolide? similar?
its in a class all its own from what i understand.
a local llmd near me still uses it.
i have yet to decide if i want to go into ketek realm...
see below from drug digest-
What are telithromycin tablets? (Back to top) TELITHROMYCIN is a ketolide antibiotic. It kills or stops the growth of some bacteria. This medicine is used to treat lung infections. This medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? (Back to top) They need to know if you have any of these conditions: *diarrhea *heart disease *irregular heart beat *kidney disease *liver disease *low blood potassium (hypokalemia) or magnesium (hypomagnesemia) *myasthenia gravis *stomach problems (like 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 (like erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, or dirithromycin), other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives *pregnant or trying to get pregnant *breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine? (Back to top) 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.
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
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? (Back to top) 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? (Back to top) Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: *allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue *dark urine *diarrhea *difficulty breathing *irregular heartbeat *lightheaded, faint *redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth *unusually tired or weak *white patches in the mouth or throat *vision problems such as blurred vision, difficulty focusing, and objects doubled *vomiting *yellowing of eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): *dizziness *headache *nausea
What should I watch for while taking telithromycin? (Back to top) 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.
Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.
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.
Where can I keep my medicine? (Back to top) Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
-------------------- "Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you."
Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
djf,
I developed chronic pancreatitis that I believe was caused by Ketek. At first I thought I really improved on it, but now my treatment is limited because my LLMD won't put me on any strong abx because of the pancreatitis.
So, two edged sword.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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