Type of medicine: ketolide antibiotic
Generic and brand names: telithromycin, oral; Ketek
This medicine is an antibiotic taken by mouth to treat a lung infection called community acquired pneumonia. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
This medicine will not cure viral infections such as colds and the flu.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Do not take this medicine if you have myasthenia gravis. Do not take this medicine if you are taking pimozide (Orap).
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval, even if you feel better. If you stop taking it too soon, the infection may return.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablets. Swallow them whole.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: irregular heartbeat, nausea, vomiting.
Do not take this medicine for other infections unless your healthcare provider approves.
This medicine may cause liver damage. If while taking this medicine you develop unusual weakness, tiredness, loss of appetite, vomiting, facial swelling, or yellowing of your skin or eyes, contact your healthcare provider right away.
This medicine may cause diarrhea. If you develop diarrhea while you are taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider. Severe watery and bloody diarrhea may be a sign of a life-threatening condition. If you develop severe diarrhea while taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not take medicine to treat diarrhea without your provider's approval.
This medicine may cause vision problems such as trouble focusing, double vision, or blurred vision. This medicine may also cause you to faint. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert and can see clearly. Contact your healthcare provider before taking another dose if you faint or have vision problems. If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve in a few days or if it gets worse.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe or constant diarrhea, yellow skin or eyes, dark colored urine or pale stools, fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, fainting, muscle weakness, unexplained loss of appetite, unusual tiredness.
Other: Mild diarrhea or loose stools, nausea, vomiting, headache, vision problems.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. Grapefruit affects the way this medicine works and may increase the risk of side effects.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
