Marketed in 36 countries across Europe, Latin America, and North Africa, Ketek is an internationally distributed brand of telithromycin, an antibacterial agent belonging to the ketolide family — a group closely related to the macrolide class of antibiotics. The page you are reading is intended for travellers, expatriates, and family members trying to identify this medication, or its local equivalent, while crossing borders.
Telithromycin is prescribed in the management of certain bacterial respiratory infections, including community-acquired pneumonia and infections associated with atypical pathogens such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The structured indication list further down this page sets out the registered uses of Ketek as recognised by national regulators in the markets where it is sold. As with any antibiotic, the decision to use telithromycin in a specific clinical situation is made by a prescribing healthcare provider rather than by the patient.
Because Ketek is registered across a wide regional footprint — including France, Brazil, Germany, Egypt, and the Czech Republic, among many other markets — travellers and expatriates may encounter the same medication abroad under the Ketek name or, in some markets, as a telithromycin-containing product under a different brand. Regulatory status, packaging, and prescription pathways for ketolide and macrolide antibiotics vary considerably from one country to another, and in some markets telithromycin's availability has changed over time. A local pharmacist is well placed to confirm whether a comparable product is available where you are.
Other antibiotics in the related macrolide and ketolide class are sold in many of the same markets under different molecules and brand names. Selecting the appropriate antibiotic for a given infection is a clinical judgement, and any decision to start, switch, or substitute a course of treatment belongs with a healthcare provider familiar with the patient.
In the event of acute overdosage, the stomach should be emptied by gastric lavage. The patient should be carefully monitored (e.g., ECG, electrolytes) and given symptomatic and supportive treatment. Adequate hydration should be maintained. The effectiveness of hemodialysis in an overdose situation with KETEK is unknown.
KETEK is contraindicated in patients with myasthenia gravis. Exacerbations of myasthenia gravis have been reported in patients and sometimes occurred within a few hours of the first dose of KETEK. Reports have included fatal and life-threatening acute respiratory failure with a rapid onset and progression.
HepatitisKETEK is contraindicated in patients with previous history of hepatitis and/or jaundice associated with the use of KETEK tablets, or any macrolide antibacterial.
HypersensitivityKETEK is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to telithromycin, any components of KETEK tablets, or any macrolide antibacterial.
Cisapride/PimozideConcomitant administration of KETEK with cisapride or pimozide is contraindicated because coadministration can lead to life-threatening QT prolongation.
ColchicineConcomitant administration of KETEK and colchicine is contraindicated in patients with renal or hepatic impairment due to increased plasma concentration of colchicine leading to life-threatening colchicine toxicity.
The following serious and otherwise important adverse drug reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of labeling:
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
In Phase 3 clinical trials, 4,780 patients (n=2702 in controlled trials) received oral dosages of KETEK 800 mg once daily for 5 days or 7 to 10 days. Note that treatment with KETEK for 5 days duration is not a recommended dosage regimen.
In the combined Phase 3 studies, discontinuation due to adverse reactions occurred in 4.4% of KETEKtreated patients and 4.3% of combined comparator-treated patients. Most discontinuations in the KETEK group were due to adverse reactions in the gastrointestinal body system, primarily diarrhea (0.9% for KETEK vs. 0.7% for comparators), and nausea (0.7% for KETEK vs. 0.5% for comparators).
Adverse reactions (ARs) occurring in clinical studies in 2% or more of KETEK patients are included below.
Table 1: Adverse Reactions Reported in 2% or more of
Patients in Controlled Phase 3 Clinical Studies
| Adverse Reaction * | Percent Incidence | |
| KETEK n= 2702 |
Comparator† n= 2139 |
|
| Diarrhea | 10% | 8% |
| Nausea | 7% | 4.1% |
| Dizziness (excl. vertigo) | 2.8% | 1.5% |
| Vomiting | 2.4% | 1.4% |
| *Based on a frequency of all and possibly related adverse
reactions of 2% or more in KETEK or comparator groups. †Includes comparators from all controlled Phase 3 studies. |
The following adverse reactions were observed at a frequency of 0.2% or more and less than 2% in KETEK-treated patients in clinical studies.
Gastrointestinal system: abdominal distension, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal upset, flatulence, constipation, gastroenteritis, gastritis, anorexia, oral candidiasis, glossitis, stomatitis.
Liver and biliary system: abnormal liver function tests: increased transaminases (i.e., ALT, AST). Hepatitis, with or without jaundice, occurred in 0.07% of patients treated with KETEK.
Nervous system: dry mouth, somnolence, insomnia, vertigo, increased sweating
Body as a whole: abdominal pain, fatigue
Special senses: Visual adverse reactions, some of them severe, most often included blurred vision, diplopia, or difficulty focusing. Some patients discontinued therapy due to these adverse reactions. Visual adverse reactions were reported as having occurred after any dose during treatment, but most (65%) occurred following the first or second dose. Visual adverse reactions lasted several hours and recurred upon subsequent dosing in some patients. For patients who continued treatment, some visual adverse reactions resolved on therapy while others persisted through the full course of treatment.
Females and patients under 40 years old experienced a higher incidence of KETEK-associated visual adverse reactions. Table 2 provides the incidence of all visual adverse reactions in controlled Phase 3 studies by age and gender. The group with the highest incidence was females under the age of 40, while males over the age of 40 had rates of visual adverse reactions similar to comparator-treated patients.
Table 2: Incidence of All Visual Adverse Reactions in
Controlled Phase 3 Studies
| Gender/Age | Telithromycin | Comparators* |
| Female 40 and under | 2.1% (14/682) | 0.0% (0/534) |
| Female greater than 40 | 1.0% (7/703) | 0.35% (2/574) |
| Male 40 and under | 1.2% (7/563) | 0.48% (2/417) |
| Male greater than 40 | 0.27% (2/754) | 0.33% (2/614) |
| Total | 1.1% (30/2702) | 0.28% (6/2139) |
| *Includes all comparators combined |
Urogenital system: vaginal candidiasis, vaginitis, vaginosis fungal
Skin: rash
Hematologic: increased platelet count
Frequency of Less Than 0.2%Other clinically-significant adverse reactions occurring in less than 0.2% of patients treated with KETEK from the controlled Phase 3 studies included: anxiety, bradycardia, eczema, elevated blood bilirubin, erythema multiforme, flushing, hypotension, increased blood alkaline phosphatase, increased eosinophil count, paresthesia, pruritus, urticaria.
Post-Marketing ExperienceThe following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of KETEK. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Allergic: face edema, severe allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions, including angioedema and anaphylaxis
Cardiovascular: atrial arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias (including ventricular tachycardia and torsades de pointes) with potential fatal outcome, palpitation, ischemic cardiac events in the context of hypersensitivity reactions
Gastrointestinal system: pseudomembranous colitis, pancreatitis
Liver and biliary system: Hepatic dysfunction, fulminant hepatitis, hepatic necrosis, and hepatic failure, chromaturia
Musculoskeletal: muscle cramps, arthralgia, myalgia, exacerbation of myasthenia gravis
Nervous system: loss of consciousness, in some cases associated with vagal syndrome, tremor, convulsions
Psychiatric disorders: confusion, hallucinations (mostly visual)
Special senses: taste/smell perversion and/or loss, hearing loss
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: dyspnea
KETEK is indicated for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (of mild to moderate severity) due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, (including multi-drug resistant S. pneumoniae [MDRSP1]), Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, or Mycoplasma pneumoniae, for patients 18 years or older.
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of KETEK and other antibacterial drugs, KETEK should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
REFERENCE
1 MDRSP, Multi-drug resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae includes isolates known as PRSP (penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae), and are isolates resistant to two or more of the following antibacterials: penicillin, 2 generation cephalosporins, e.g., cefuroxime, macrolides, tetracyclines and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.
The pharmacokinetics of telithromycin after administration of single and multiple (7 days) once daily 800-mg doses to healthy adult subjects are shown in Table 4.
Table 4: Pharmacokinetics of Telithromycin in Healthy
Subjects
| Parameter | Mean (SD) | |
| Single dose (n=18) |
Multiple dose (n=18) |
|
| Cmax (pg/mL) | 1.9 (0.80) | 2.27 (0.71) |
| Tmax (h)* | 1.0 (0.5-4.0) | 1.0 (0.5-3.0) |
| AUC(0-24) (μg•h/mL) | 8.25 (2.6) | 12.5 (5.4) |
| Terminal t ½ (h) | 7.16 (1.3) | 9.81 (1.9) |
| C24h (μg/mL) | 0.03 (0.013) | 0.07 (0.051) |
| SD=Standard deviation ; Cmax =Maximum plasma
concentration ; Tmax =Time to Cmax; AUC=Area under concentration vs. time
curve; t ½ =Terminal plasma half-life; C24h =Plasma concentration at 24 hours
post-dose *Median (min-max) values |
In patients, mean peak and trough plasma concentrations were 2.9 μg/mL (±1.55), (n=219) and 0.2 μg/mL (±0.22), (n=204), respectively, after 3 to 5 days of KETEK 800 mg once daily. Steady-state plasma concentrations are reached within 2 to 3 days of once daily dosing with KETEK 800 mg.
AbsorptionFollowing oral administration, telithromycin reached maximal concentration at about 1 hour (0.5 – 4 hours). KETEK has an absolute bioavailability of 57% in both young and elderly subjects.
The rate and extent of absorption are unaffected by food intake, thus KETEK tablets can be given without regard to food.
DistributionTotal in vitro protein binding is approximately 60% to 70% and is primarily due to human serum albumin.
Protein binding is not modified in elderly subjects or in patients with hepatic impairment.
The volume of distribution of telithromycin after intravenous infusion is 2.9 L/kg.
Telithromycin concentrations in bronchial mucosa, epithelial lining fluid, and alveolar macrophages after 800 mg once daily dosing for 5 days in patients are displayed in Table 5.
Table 5
| Hours postdose | Mean concentration (μg/mL) | Tissue/ Plasma Ratio | ||
| Tissue or fluid | Plasma | |||
| Bronchial mucosa | 2 | 3.88* | 1.86 | 2.11 |
| 12 | 1.41* | 0.23 | 6.33 | |
| 24 | 0.78* | 0.08 | 12.11 | |
| Epithelial lining fluid | 2 | 14.89 | 1.86 | 8.57 |
| 12 | 3.27 | 0.23 | 13.8 | |
| 24 | 0.84 | 0.08 | 14.41 | |
| Alveolar macrophages | 2 | 65 | 1.07 | 55 |
| 8 | 100 | 0.605 | 180 | |
| 24 | 41 | 0.073 | 540 | |
| *Units in mg/kg |
In total, approximately 70% of the telithromycin dose is metabolized. In plasma, the main circulating compound after administration of an 800-mg radio-labeled dose was parent compound, representing 56.7% of the total radioactivity. The main metabolite represented 12.6% of the AUC of telithromycin. Three other plasma metabolites were quantified, each representing 3% or less of the AUC of telithromycin.
It is estimated that approximately 50% of its metabolism is mediated by CYP3A4 and the remaining 50% is CYP -independent.
ExcretionThe systemically available telithromycin is eliminated by multiple pathways as follows: 7% of the dose is excreted unchanged in feces by biliary and/or intestinal secretion; 13% of the dose is excreted unchanged in urine by renal excretion; and 37% of the dose is metabolized by the liver. Following oral dosing, the mean terminal elimination half-life of telithromycin is 10 hours.
Pregnancy Category C.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Telithromycin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Telithromycin was not teratogenic in the rat or rabbit. Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits, with effect on pre-post natal development studied in the rat. At doses of 150 and 20 mg/kg/day in rats and rabbits respectively (approximately 2 and 0.5 times the recommended clinical dose), no evidence of fetal terata was found. At doses higher than 150 or 20 mg/kg in rats and rabbits, respectively, maternal toxicity may have resulted in delayed fetal maturation. No adverse effects on prenatal and postnatal development of rat pups were observed at 125 mg/kg/day (1.5 times) the daily human dose.
KETEK tablets are available in two strengths:
KETEK® 400 mg tablets are supplied as light-orange, oval, film-coated tablets, imprinted “H3647” on one side and “400” on the other side.
Bottles of 60 (NDC 0088-2225-41)
KETEK® 300 mg tablets are supplied as light-orange, oval, film-coated tablets, imprinted “38AV” on one side and blank on the other side.
Bottles of 20 (NDC 0088-2223-20)
StorageStore at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15–30°C (59–86°F).
Manufactured for: sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC,Bridgewater, NJ 08807, a Sanofi Company. Revised: December 2015
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS HepatotoxicityAcute hepatic failure and severe liver injury, in some cases fatal, have been reported in patients treated with KETEK. These hepatic reactions included fulminant hepatitis and hepatic necrosis leading to liver transplant, and were observed during or immediately after treatment. In some of these cases, liver injury progressed rapidly and occurred after administration of a few doses of KETEK.
Physicians and patients should monitor for the appearance of signs or symptoms of hepatitis, such as fatigue, malaise, anorexia, nausea, jaundice, bilirubinuria, alcoholic stools, liver tenderness, or hepatomegaly. Patients with signs or symptoms of hepatitis must be advised to discontinue KETEK and immediately seek medical evaluation, which should include liver function tests. If clinical hepatitis or transaminase elevations combined with other systemic symptoms occur, KETEK should be permanently discontinued.
KETEK is contraindicated in patients with a previous history of hepatitis and/or jaundice associated with the use of KETEK tablets, or any macrolide antibacterial.
In addition, less severe hepatic dysfunction associated with increased liver enzymes, hepatitis and in some cases jaundice was reported with the use of KETEK. These events associated with less severe forms of liver toxicity were reversible.
QTc ProlongationKETEK can prolong the QTc interval of the electrocardiogram in some patients leading to an increased risk for ventricular arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and torsades de pointes with fatal outcomes. Thus, KETEK should be avoided in patients with congenital prolongation of the QTc interval, and in patients with ongoing proarrhythmic conditions such as uncorrected hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, clinically significant bradycardia, and in patients receiving Class IA (e.g., quinidine and procainamide) or Class III (e.g., dofetilide) antiarrhythmic agents.
Cases of ventricular arrhythmias (including ventricular tachycardia and torsades de pointes) have been reported post-marketing with KETEK and sometimes occurred within a few hours of the first dose. In clinical trials, no cardiovascular morbidity or mortality attributable to QTc prolongation occurred with KETEK treatment in 4780 patients, including 204 patients having a prolonged QTc at baseline.
Visual Disturbances And Loss Of ConsciousnessKETEK may cause visual disturbances particularly in slowing the ability to accommodate and the ability to release accommodation. Visual disturbances, some of them severe, included blurred vision, difficulty focusing, and diplopia.
There have been post-marketing reports of transient loss of consciousness including some cases associated with vagal syndrome.
Because of potential visual difficulties or loss of consciousness, patients should attempt to minimize activities such as driving a motor vehicle, operating heavy machinery or engaging in other hazardous activities during treatment with KETEK. If patients experience visual disorders or loss of consciousness while taking KETEK, patients should not drive a motor vehicle, operate heavy machinery or engage in other hazardous activities.
Serious Adverse Reactions With Concomitant DrugsSerious adverse reactions have been reported in patients taking KETEK concomitantly with CYP3A4 substrates :
Life-threatening and fatal drug interactions have been reported in patients treated with colchicine and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. KETEK is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor and this interaction may occur while using both drugs at their recommended dosages. If co-administration of KETEK and colchicine is necessary in patients with normal renal and hepatic function, reduce the dosage of colchicine. Monitor patients for clinical symptoms of colchicine toxicity. Concomitant administration of KETEK and colchicine is contraindicated in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.
RhabdomyolysisSimvastatin, lovastatin and atorvastatin are metabolized by CYP3A4. High levels of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Avoid use of statins which are metabolized by CYP3A4 concomitantly with KETEK; suspend therapy with simvastatin, lovastatin, or atorvastatin during the course of treatment with KETEK.
HypotensionHypotension, bradyarrhythmia and loss of consciousness have been observed in patients receiving concomitant treatment with calcium channel blockers that are substrates of CYP3A4 (e.g., verapamil, amlodipine, diltiazem). Monitor for these adverse reactions and toxicity related to calcium channel blockers and adjust calcium channel blocker dosage as necessary.
Clostridum Difficile-Associated DiarrheaClostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including KETEK, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile.
C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibacterial use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents.
If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibacterial use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial treatment of C. difficile, and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.
Development Of Drug Resistant BacteriaPrescribing KETEK in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
Patient Counseling InformationAdvise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (MEDICATION GUIDE).
Communicate the following information and instructions to the patient:
Drug ResistanceAntibacterial drugs including KETEK should only be used to treat bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections (e.g., the common cold). When KETEK is prescribed to treat a bacterial infection, inform patients that although it is common to feel better early in the course of therapy, the medication should be taken exactly as directed. Skipping doses or not completing the full course of therapy may (1) decrease the effectiveness of the immediate treatment and (2) increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance and will not be treatable by KETEK or other antibacterial drugs in the future.
Myasthenia GravisAdvise patients not to take KETEK if they have myasthenia gravis
Liver InjuryAdvise patients of the possibility of severe liver injury, associated with KETEK. Instruct them to discontinue KETEK and seek medical attention immediately if they develop nausea, fatigue, anorexia, jaundice, dark urine, light-colored stools, pruritus, or tender abdomen. These problems may occur after any dose during treatment or after treatment had stopped. Advise patients not to take KETEK if they have a previous history of hepatitis/jaundice associated with the use of KETEK or macrolide antibacterials.
Changes In ElectrocardiogramKETEK may produce changes in the electrocardiogram (QTc interval prolongation). Advise patient to report any fainting or palpitations occurring during drug treatment.
Advise patients to avoid KETEK if they are receiving Class 1A (e.g., quinidine, procainamide) or Class III (e.g., dofetilide) antiarrhythmic agents.
Problems With Vision And Loss Of ConsciousnessKETEK may cause blurred vision, difficulty focusing, and objects looking doubled. These problems may occur after any dose during treatment, last for several hours, and come back with the next dose.
KETEK may also cause transient loss of consciousness.
Advise patients to avoid quick changes in viewing between objects in the distance and objects nearby to help decrease the effects of these visual difficulties.
Advise patients to minimize activities such as driving a motor vehicle, operating heavy machinery or engaging in other hazardous activities during treatment with KETEK, because of potential visual difficulties, loss of consciousness, confusion or hallucinations.
Advise patients that if visual difficulties, loss of consciousness / fainting, confusion or hallucination occur, to seek advice from their physician before taking another dose and to refrain from hazardous activities.
Drug/Food InteractionsAdvise patients that KETEK tablets can be taken with or without food.
Colchicine should be avoided in patients receiving KETEK. Advise patients with normal kidney and liver function that the dose of colchicine should be reduced while they are taking KETEK.
Simvastatin, lovastatin, or atorvastatin should be avoided in patients receiving KETEK. Advise patients that KETEK therapy with simvastatin, lovastatin, or atorvastatin should be stopped during the course of treatment with KETEK due to increased risk of rhabdomyolysis.
Taking KETEK with calcium channel blockers may cause severe hypotension, bradycardia and loss of consciousness. Advise patients that if these symptoms occur to contact their physician as soon as possible.
Advise patients to inform their physician of any other medications taken concurrently with KETEK, including over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements.
DiarrheaDiarrhea is a common problem caused by antibacterials including KETEK which usually ends when the antibacterial is discontinued. Sometimes after starting treatment with antibacterials, patients can develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever) even as late as two or more months after having taken the last dose of the antibacterial. If this occurs, patients should contact their physician as soon as possible.
Nonclinical Toxicology Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of FertilityLong-term studies in animals to determine the carcinogenic potential of KETEK have not been conducted.
Telithromycin showed no evidence of genotoxicity in four tests: gene mutation in bacterial cells, gene mutation in mammalian cells, chromosome aberration in human lymphocytes, and the micronucleus test in the mouse.
No evidence of impaired fertility in the rat was observed at doses estimated to be 0.6 times the human daily dose on a body surface area basis (50 mg/kg/day). At doses of 2–4 times the human daily dose (150 and 300 mg/kg/day, at which signs of parental toxicity were observed), moderate reductions in fertility indices were noted in male and female animals treated with telithromycin.
Use In Specific Populations PregnancyPregnancy Category C.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Telithromycin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Telithromycin was not teratogenic in the rat or rabbit. Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits, with effect on pre-post natal development studied in the rat. At doses of 150 and 20 mg/kg/day in rats and rabbits respectively (approximately 2 and 0.5 times the recommended clinical dose), no evidence of fetal terata was found. At doses higher than 150 or 20 mg/kg in rats and rabbits, respectively, maternal toxicity may have resulted in delayed fetal maturation. No adverse effects on prenatal and postnatal development of rat pups were observed at 125 mg/kg/day (1.5 times) the daily human dose.
Nursing MothersTelithromycin is excreted in breast milk of rats. Telithromycin may also be excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when KETEK is administered to a nursing mother.
Pediatric UseThe safety and effectiveness of KETEK in pediatric patients less than18 years of age has not been established. Pediatric clinical trials were halted prematurely due to concern of serious postmarketing hepatic adverse reactions observed in adults.
Geriatric UseOf the total number of patients in Phase 3 clinical trials (n=4,780), KETEK was administered to 694 patients who were 65 years and older, including 231 patients who were 75 years and older. Efficacy and safety in patients 65 years and older were generally similar to that observed in younger patients; however, greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.
Renal And/Or Hepatic ImpairmentDose adjustment is required in patients with severe renal impairment (CL less than 30 mL/min) or on dialysis. Further dose adjustment is required in patients with severe renal impairment and coexisting hepatic impairment.
The dosage of KETEK tablets is 800 mg (2 tablets of 400 mg) taken orally once daily for 7–10 days in patients 18 years or older. KETEK tablets can be administered with or without food.
Dosage In Patients With Renal And/Or Hepatic ImpairmentIn the presence of severe renal impairment (CLCR less than 30 mL/min), including patients who need dialysis, reduce the dosage of KETEK to 600 mg once daily. In patients undergoing hemodialysis, give KETEK after the dialysis session on dialysis days.
In the presence of severe renal impairment (CLCR less than 30 mL/min), with coexisting hepatic impairment, reduce the dosage of KETEK to 400 mg once daily. Patients with mild or moderate renal impairment (CLCR of 30 mL/min or more) with or without coexisting hepatic impairment do not require a dosage adjustment. No dosage adjustments of KETEK are necessary in patients with hepatic impairment alone.
Rifampin
During concomitant administration of rifampin and KETEK in repeated doses, C and AUC of telithromycin were decreased by 79%, and 86%, respectively.
CYP3A4 InhibitorsItraconazole: A multiple-dose interaction study with itraconazole showed that C of telithromycin was increased by 22% and AUC by 54%.
Ketoconazole: A multiple-dose interaction study with ketoconazole showed that C of telithromycin was increased by 51% and AUC by 95%.
Grapefruit juice: When telithromycin was given with 240 mL of grapefruit juice after an overnight fast to healthy subjects, the pharmacokinetics of telithromycin were not affected.
CYP3A4 SubstratesSimvastatin: When simvastatin was co-administered with telithromycin, there was a 5.3-fold increase in simvastatin Cmax, an 8.9-fold increase in simvastatin AUC, a 15-fold increase in the simvastatin active metabolite Cmax, and a 12-fold increase in the simvastatin active metabolite AUC. In another study, when simvastatin and telithromycin were administered 12 hours apart, there was a 3.4-fold increase in simvastatin Cmax, a 4.0-fold increase in simvastatin AUC, a 3.2-fold increase in the active metabolite Cmax, and a 4.3-fold increase in the active metabolite AUC.
Midazolam: Concomitant administration of telithromycin with intravenous or oral midazolam resulted in 2- and 6-fold increases, respectively, in the AUC of midazolam due to inhibition of CYP3A4-dependent metabolism of midazolam.
Other DrugsDigoxin
The plasma peak and trough levels of digoxin were increased by 73% and 21%, respectively, in healthy volunteers when co-administered with KETEK. However, trough plasma concentrations of digoxin (when equilibrium between plasma and tissue concentrations has been achieved) ranged from 0.74 to 2.17 ng/mL. There were no significant changes in ECG parameters and no signs of digoxin toxicity.
Theophylline
When theophylline was co-administered with repeated doses of KETEK, there was an increase of approximately 16% and 17% on the steady-state Cmax and AUC of theophylline.
Sotalol
KETEK has been shown to decrease the Cmax and AUC of sotalol by 34% and 20%, respectively, due to decreased absorption.
Oral Contraceptives
When oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel were co-administered with KETEK, the steady-state AUC of ethinyl estradiol did not change and the steady-state AUC of levonorgestrel was increased by 50%. The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study showed that telithromycin did not interfere with the antiovulatory effect of oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel.
Metoprolol
When metoprolol was co-administered with KETEK, there was an increase of approximately 38% on the Cmax and AUC of metoprolol; however, there was no effect on the elimination half-life of metoprolol. Telithromycin exposure is not modified with concomitant single-dose administration of metoprolol.
Ranitidine/Antacid
There was no clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interaction of ranitidine or antacids containing aluminum and magnesium hydroxide on telithromycin.
Paroxetine
There was no pharmacokinetic effect on paroxetine when KETEK was co-administered.
Cisapride
Steady state peak plasma concentrations of cisapride (an agent with the potential to increase QT interval) were increased by 95% when co-administered with repeated doses of telithromycin, resulting in significant increases in QTc.
OATP1B1 and OATP1B3
In vitro studies using a model compound have shown that telithromycin may act as an inhibitor for the hepatic uptake transporters OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. Although the clinical relevance of this finding is unknown, it is possible that concomitant administration of KETEK with drugs that are substrates of OATP family members could result in increased plasma concentrations of the co-administered drug.
Ketek is prescribed in the management of certain bacterial respiratory infections, including pneumonia and infections associated with organisms such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The structured indication block further down this page lists each registered use as recognised in the markets where Ketek is sold. As an antibiotic, it is not used for viral conditions, and the appropriate clinical situation for its use is determined by a prescribing healthcare provider.
Ketek contains telithromycin, an antibacterial agent belonging to the ketolide family, which is closely related to the macrolide class of antibiotics. Telithromycin is the same molecule whether sold under the Ketek brand or any other commercial name. Internationally, the same active ingredient may circulate under different brand names depending on the manufacturer and the regulatory market.
Ketek is registered in 36 countries, with a footprint that spans much of Europe and reaches into Latin America and North Africa. Representative markets include Brazil, France, Egypt, Germany, and Finland, alongside many other European national markets. If your country is not represented on the list shown on this page, a local pharmacist can usually confirm whether telithromycin is available in that market.
Telithromycin may be marketed under other brand names in different regulatory markets, and the broader ketolide and macrolide antibiotic families include several related molecules used for overlapping indications. These are not freely interchangeable — antibiotic selection depends on the specific infection, local resistance patterns, and patient factors. To identify a regional equivalent, search the active ingredient telithromycin on Pill2Trip or ask a pharmacist in your country.
Yes. Ketek is a prescription antibiotic, and antibiotic therapy in general is calibrated to the specific infection, the patient's medical history, and concurrent medications. Prescription rules, available formulations, and even regulatory status for telithromycin can differ between countries, which is particularly relevant for travellers and people relocating internationally. Any decision to start, continue, or substitute this medication should involve a healthcare provider.
