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What is Ketek
used for?
Ketek
is an antibiotic used to treat adults 18 years of age and older with
certain respiratory (lung and sinus) infections caused by certain germs
called bacteria. Ketek kills many of the types of
bacteria that can infect the lungs and sinuses, and has
been found to treat these infections safely and effectively in clinical
trials. Not all respiratory infections are caused by bacteria. For
example, common colds are caused by viruses. Ketek, like other
antibiotics, does not kill viruses.
Who should not
take Ketek?:
You must not take Ketek if:
·
you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to
Ketek or to any of the group of antibiotics known as ?macrolides? such
as erythromycin, azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin) or
dirithromycin (Dynabac).
·
you
are currently taking cisapride (Propulsid) or pimozide (Orap).
General
Precautions with Ketek:
·
Ketek may cause problems with vision, particularly
when looking quickly between objects close by and objects far away. These
events include blurred vision, difficulty focusing, and objects looking
doubled. Some patients have severe problems with vision that may interfere
with normal activities. Most
events were mild to moderate; however, severe cases have been reported.
These problems lasted several hours and in some patients come back
with the next dose. People taking Ketek should be careful when driving a
motor vehicle, operating heavy machinery, or engaging in otherwise
hazardous activities.
·
There have been reports of side effects on the
liver. Signs of jaundice include yellow color of the skin and/or eyes.
·
There have been reports of worsening of myasthenia
gravis symptoms in patients with myasthenia gravis.
If you have myasthania gravis and experience worsening of your
symptoms (such as muscle weakness, difficulty breathing) during treatment
with Ketek, you should stop taking Ketek and seek immediate medical
attention.
What should I
tell my health care provider?
Tell your health care provider:
·
if you have, or if a relative has, a rare heart
condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
·
if you are being treated for heart rhythm
disturbances with certain medicines known as
antiarrhythmics (such as quinidine,
procainamide, or dofetilide) or if you have low blood potassium (hypokalemia),
or low blood magnesium (hypomagnesemia).
·
if you have a disease known as myasthenia gravis.
·
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant,
or are nursing.
·
if you have ever experienced jaundice (yellow
color of the skin and/or eyes) while taking Ketek.
·
if
you have any other serious medical conditions, including heart, liver, or
kidney disease.
Tell your
health care provider about all the medicines you take, including
prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal
supplements. Especially tell
your health care provider if you take:
·
if
you are taking cisapride (Propulsid) or pimozide (Orap).
·
simvastatin, lovastatin, or atorvastatin (used for
lowering cholesterol). You should stop treatment with these
medications while you are taking Ketek.
·
medicines that correct heart rhythm called
?antiarrhythmics? (such as quinidine, procainamide, or dofetilide).
·
any of the following medicines: itraconazole,
ketoconazole, midazolam, digoxin, ergot alkaloid derivatives,
cyclosporine, carbamazepine, hexobarbital, phenytoin, tacrolimus, sirolimus,
metoprolol, theophylline or rifampin.
·
medicines called diuretics (also sometimes called
water pills) such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide.
What are some
possible side effects of Ketek? (This list is
NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Ketek.
Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list
of side effects.)
The most common side effects of Ketek include:
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