Telithromycin

Telithromycin

An oral antibiotic in restricted use.

Information about Telithromycin

Telithromycin is a ketolide, a novel form of macrolide antibiotic that is recommended for treatment of community acquired pneumonia. Telithromycin was approved for use in the United States in 2004 and subsequently linked to several cases of severe drug induced liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Telithromycin

Telithromycin (tel ith" roe mye' sin) is a ketolide antibiotic, a novel form of macrolide antibiotic that is used to treated community acquired pneumonia. Telithromycin differs from erythromycin by several substitutions that render it less susceptible to erythromycin-resistant strains of bacteria. Telithromycin is active against staphylococci, streptococci, S. pneumoniae, Haemophilus spp., Moraxella catarrhalis, mycoplasma, chlamydia and Legionella.

FDA approval information for Telithromycin

Telithromycin was first approved for use in the United States in 2004 and initially had several clinical indications including sinusitis and bronchitis. Currently, because of the potential of serious side effects, the only approved indication for telithromycin is moderate-to-severe community acquired pneumonia due to sensitive organisms.

Dosage and administration for Telithromycin

Telithromycin is available in oral forms under the trade name Ketek in tablets of 300 mg (for reduced dosing in patients with renal disease) and 400 mg. The recommended dosage is 800 mg once daily for 7 to 10 days.

Side effects of Telithromycin

Telithromycin is generally well tolerated, but side effects can include nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, headache, dizziness and rash.

The following are macrolides

• Azithromycin
• Clarithromycin
• Erythromycin
• Fidaxomicin
• Telithromycin

• Dailymed label info on Telithromycin
• FDA Telithromycin

Telithromycin Resources
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