What is Ketek
Ketek
is in a class of drugs called ketolide antibiotics. Ketek
fights bacteria in the body.
Ketek
is used to treat bacterial infections in the lungs and sinuses.
Ketek
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Ketek
Take all of the Ketek that has been prescribed for
you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may
start to improve before the infection is completely treated.
Ketek may cause vision problems such as difficulty
focusing, blurred vision, or double vision. Use caution
when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Contact your health care provider if changes
in vision affect your daily activities.
Do not take
Ketek if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid) or pimozide
(Orap).
What you should find out before taking Ketek Do not take Ketek if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid),
pimozide (Orap).
Before taking Ketek, talk to your
doctor if you - have kidney disease; - have
liver disease or have had liver problems due to use of Ketek
in the past (jaundice); - have myasthenia gravis
(a neuromuscular disorder); - have low levels of
potassium in the blood (hypokalemia); - have low
levels of magnesium in the blood (hypomagnesemia); -
have irregular heartbeats; or - yourself or a close
family member have a rare heart condition known as congenital
prolongation of the QT interval.
You may not be able
to take Ketek, or you may require a dosage adjustment and
special monitoring during treatment.
Ketek is in
the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not
known whether Ketek will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do
not take Ketek without first talking to your doctor if you
are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether Ketek passes into breast
milk. Do not take this medication without first talking
to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take Ketek Take Ketek exactly as directed by your doctor. If
you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
Ketek
can be taken with or without food.
Ketek is usually
taken once a day. Try to take Ketek at about the same time
each day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Take
all of the Ketek that has been prescribed for you even if
you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve
before the infection is completely treated.
It is
important to take Ketek regularly to get the most benefit.
Store this medication at room temperature away from
moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose,
skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed.
Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise
directed by your doctor.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is
suspected.
Symptoms of an Ketek overdose have not
been reported.
Avoid while taking Ketek Ketek may cause vision problems such as difficulty
focusing, blurred vision, or double vision. Use caution
when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Contact your health care provider if changes
in vision affect your daily activities.
Possible side effects of Ketek If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Ketek and seek emergency medical attention
or contact your doctor immediately: - an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); - liver
problems (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal
pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe
fatigue); - irregular heartbeats; or - fainting.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely
to occur. Continue to take Ketek and talk to your doctor
if you experience - changes in vision such as difficulty
focusing, blurred vision, or double vision; - nausea,
vomiting, or diarrhea; - headache; or - dizziness.
Side effects other than those listed here may also
occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems
unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Ketek Do not take Ketek if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid)
or pimozide (Orap).
Before taking Ketek, tell your
doctor if you are taking any other medicines, especially
any of the following: - certain cholesterol-lowering
medications including simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor),
and atorvastatin (Lipitor); - an ergot alkaloid medication
such as ergotamine (Cafatine, Cafergot, others) or dihydroergotamine
(Migranal, D.H.E. 45); - a benzodiazepine (for insomnia
or anxiety) such as midazolam (Versed), alprazolam (Xanax),
diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), temazepam
(Restoril), and others; - itraconazole (Sporanox)
or ketoconazole (Nizoral); - sotalol (Betapace, Betapace
AF, Sorine); - theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron,
Theolair, Respbid, Elixophyllin, others); - rifampin
(Rifadin, Rimactane); - phenytoin (Dilantin); -
carbamazepine (Tegretol); - phenobarbital (Luminal);
- metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL); - cyclosporine
(Sandimmune, Neoral); - tacrolimus (Prograf); -
sirolimus (Rapamune); or - digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps).
You may not be able to take Ketek, or you may require
a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment
if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Ketek.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals,
and herbal products. |