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Ketek

telithromycin
Used for Pneumonia

Ketek (telithromycin) is an antibiotic used for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (when someone gets the lung infection in the community and not in a hospital). It's no longer available in the United States because it was discontinued.

Reviewed by:
reviewerRobert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewerCydnee Ng, PharmD
Last reviewed on June 26, 2022
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What is Ketek (telithromycin)?

What is Ketek (telithromycin) used for?

  • Mild-to-moderate community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)

Drug facts

Common BrandsKetek(brand no longer available)
Drug ClassAntibiotic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityDiscontinued
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Common questions about Ketek (telithromycin)

Ketek (telithromycin) belongs to a new group of antibiotics called ketolides. It's similar to the macrolide family of antibiotics. Ketek (telithromycin) treats infections by stopping bacteria from making important proteins it needs to grow. This prevents the bacteria from growing and spreading, and gives your own immune system a chance to fight off the infection.

No, Ketek (telithromycin) is no longer available in the United States. The manufacturer (Sanofi Aventis) discontinued the medication due to business reasons in 2016. The details of its discontinuation is unclear.

Yes, Ketek (telithromycin) is similar to the macrolide group of antibiotics, which are currently available and commonly used today to treat several types of infections. Some examples include azithromycin (Zithromax) and clarithromycin.

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Ketek (telithromycin) dosage

Typical dosage for Ketek (telithromycin)

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Interactions between Ketek (telithromycin) and other drugs

Ketek (telithromycin) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Ketek (telithromycin). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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What are alternatives to Ketek (telithromycin)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Ketek (telithromycin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Ketek (telithromycin)
Used for:
  • Mild-to-moderate community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)
View prices
Used for:

Adults

Azithromycin (Zithromax) can treat certain types of:

Children

Azithromycin (Zithromax) can treat certain types of:

  • Ear infections (ages 6 months and older)
  • Pneumonia (ages 6 months and older)
  • Strep throat (ages 2 years and older)
  • Tonsil infections (ages 2 years and older)
$7.91Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
$17.15Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

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