GENERIC NAME: TELITHROMYCIN - ORAL (tell-ITH-row-MY-sin)
BRAND NAME(S): Ketek
Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage
USES: This medication is a ketolide antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth once daily, with or without food, or as directed by your doctor. Limit the amount of grapefruit or grapefruit juice you may eat or drink (less than 8 ounces or 240 ml a day) while being treated with this medication, unless specifically directed otherwise. Grapefruit juice may increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. Continue to take this medication until the full-prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping this medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a relapse of the infection. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens. Read the Patient Information Leaflet available from your pharmacist. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, mild diarrhea, headache, dizziness, anxiety, or strange taste in mouth may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: vision changes (e.g., blurred vision, double vision, difficulty focusing). Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: fainting, irregular or unusually fast heartbeat, yellowing of eyes or skin, dark urine. This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (pseudomembranous colitis) due to a resistant bacteria. This condition may occur weeks after treatment has stopped. Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medications if you have the following symptoms because these products may make them worse. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop: persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, or blood/mucus in your stool. Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection (oral or vaginal fungal infection). Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge or other new symptoms. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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