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Ketek (Telithromycin) - Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

 
 



ADVERSE REACTIONS

In Phase III clinical trials, 4,780 patients (n=2702 in controlled trials) received daily oral doses of KETEK 800 mg once daily for 5 days or 7 to 10 days. Most adverse events were mild to moderate in severity. In the combined Phase III studies, discontinuation due to treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 4.4% of KETEK-treated patients and 4.3% of combined comparator-treated patients. Most discontinuations in the KETEK group were due to treatment-emergent adverse events in the gastrointestinal body system, primarily diarrhea (0.9% for KETEK vs. 0.7% for comparators), nausea (0.7% for KETEK vs. 0.5% for comparators).

All and possibly related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurring in controlled clinical studies in ≥ 2.0% of all patients are included below:

Table 5
All and Possibly Related Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events Reported in Controlled Phase III Clinical Studies (Percent Incidence)
Adverse Event 1 All TEAEsPossibly-Related TEAEs
KETEK
n= 2702
Comparator 2
n= 2139
KETEK
n= 2702
Comparator
n= 2139
Diarrhea10.8%8.6%10.0%8.0%
Nausea7.9%4.6%7.0%4.1%
Headache5.5%5.8%2.0%2.5%
Dizziness (excl. vertigo)3.7%2.7%2.8%1.5%
Vomiting2.9%2.2%2.4%1.4%
Loose Stools2.3%1.5%2.1%1.4%
Dysgeusia1.6%3.6%1.5%3.6%

1 Based on a frequency of all and possibly related treatment-emergent adverse events of ≥ 2% in KETEK or comparator groups.
2 Includes comparators from all controlled Phase III studies.

The following events judged by investigators to be at least possibly drug related were observed infrequently (≥ 0.2% and < 2%), in KETEK-treated patients in the controlled Phase III studies.

Gastrointestinal system: abdominal distension, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal upset, flatulence, constipation, gastroenteritis, gastritis, anorexia, oral candidiasis, glossitis, stomatitis, watery stools.

Liver and biliary system: abnormal liver function tests: increased transaminases, increased liver enzymes (e.g., ALT, AST) were usually asymptomatic and reversible. ALT elevations above 3 times the upper limit of normal were observed in 1.6%, and 1.7% of patients treated with KETEK and comparators, respectively. Hepatitis, with or without jaundice, occurred in 0.07% of patients treated with KETEK, and was reversible. (See PRECAUTIONS, General.)

Nervous system: dry mouth, somnolence, insomnia, vertigo, increased sweating

Body as a whole: abdominal pain, upper abdominal pain, fatigue

Special senses: Visual adverse events most often included blurred vision, diplopia, or difficulty focusing. Most events were mild to moderate; however, severe cases have been reported. Some patients discontinued therapy due to these adverse events.  Visual adverse events were reported as having occurred after any dose during treatment, but most visual adverse events (65%) occurred following the first or second dose. Visual events lasted several hours and recurred upon subsequent dosing in some patients. For patients who continued treatment, some resolved on therapy while others continued to have symptoms until they completed the full course of treatment. (See WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS, Information for patients.)

Females and patients under 40 years old experienced a higher incidence of telithromycin-associated visual adverse events. (See CLINICAL STUDIES.)

Urogenital system: vaginal candidiasis, vaginitis, vaginosis fungal

Skin: rash

Hematologic: increased platelet count

Other possibly related clinically-relevant events occurring in <0.2% of patients treated with KETEK from the controlled Phase III studies included: anxiety, bradycardia, eczema, elevated blood bilirubin, erythema multiforme, flushing, hypotension, increased blood alkaline phosphatase, increased eosinophil count, paresthesia, pruritus, urticaria.

Post-Marketing Adverse Event Reports

In addition to adverse events reported from clinical trials, the following events have been reported from worldwide post-marketing experience with KETEK. 

Allergic: face edema, rare reports of severe allergic reactions, including angioedema and anaphylaxis.

Cardiovascular: atrial arrhythmias, palpitations

Gastrointestinal system: pancreatitis

Liver and biliary system: Hepatic dysfunction has been reported.

Severe and in some cases fatal hepatotoxicity, including fulminant hepatitis, hepatic necrosis and hepatic failure have been reported in patients treated with KETEK. These hepatic reactions were observed during or immediately after treatment. In some of these cases, liver injury progressed rapidly and occurred after administration of only a few doses of KETEK. (See CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS.) Severe reactions, in some but not all cases, have been associated with serious underlying diseases or concomitant medications.

Data from post-marketing reports and clinical trials show that most cases of hepatic dysfunction were mild to moderate. (See PRECAUTIONS, General.)

Musculoskeletal: muscle cramps, rare reports of exacerbation of myasthenia gravis. (See CONTRAINDICATIONS.)

Nervous system: loss of consciousness, in some cases associated with vagal syndrome.



REPORTS OF SUSPECTED KETEK SIDE EFFECTS / ADVERSE REACTIONS

Below is a sample of reports where side effects / adverse reactions may be related to Ketek. The information is not vetted and should not be considered as verified clinical evidence.

Possible Ketek side effects / adverse reactions in 50 year old female

Reported by a physician from South Africa on 2011-10-07

Patient: 50 year old female

Reactions: Diplopia, Malaise, Dizziness, Feeling Abnormal

Adverse event resulted in: hospitalization

Suspect drug(s):
Ketek
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Bronchitis
    Start date: 2011-09-15
    End date: 2011-09-22

Ketek
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Sinusitis
    Start date: 2011-09-15
    End date: 2011-09-22

Other drugs received by patient: Fluticasone Propionate; Pulmison; Desloratadine; Clarithromycin



Possible Ketek side effects / adverse reactions in 26 year old female

Reported by a health professional (non-physician/pharmacist) from France on 2012-02-17

Patient: 26 year old female

Reactions: Haemorrhage, Cytolytic Hepatitis, Tachycardia, Neutropenia, Blood Pressure Decreased, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Inflammation

Adverse event resulted in: life threatening event, hospitalization

Suspect drug(s):
Ketek
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2008-06-01

Naphazoline HCL
    Dosage: unk
    Indication: Sinusitis
    Start date: 2008-06-21
    End date: 2008-01-01

Prednisolone
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Sinusitis
    Start date: 2008-06-21
    End date: 2008-06-24

Pneumorel
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Sinusitis
    Start date: 2008-06-21
    End date: 2008-06-30

Ferrous Carbonate
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2008-06-01

Ibuprofen (Advil)
    Dosage: one single dose
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2008-06-01
    End date: 2008-06-01

Euphytose
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2008-06-30

Other drugs received by patient: Nordette-21; Paracetamol; Prazepam; Lexomil



Possible Ketek side effects / adverse reactions in 26 year old female

Reported by a health professional (non-physician/pharmacist) from France on 2012-02-22

Patient: 26 year old female

Reactions: Xerophthalmia, Trichorrhexis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Adverse event resulted in: life threatening event, hospitalization

Suspect drug(s):
Naphazoline HCL
    Indication: Sinusitis
    Start date: 2008-06-21

Prednisolone
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Sinusitis
    Start date: 2008-06-21
    End date: 2008-06-24

Ketek
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2008-06-01

Pneumorel
    Administration route: Oral
    Indication: Sinusitis
    Start date: 2008-06-21
    End date: 2008-06-30

Supradyn /arg/
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2008-06-01

Ibuprofen (Advil)
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2008-06-01
    End date: 2008-06-01

Euphytose
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2008-06-30

Vitamins NOS
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2008-06-01

Other drugs received by patient: Acetaminophen; Acetaminophen; Nordette-21; Lexomil; Prazepam



See index of all Ketek side effect reports >>

Drug label data at the top of this Page last updated: 2009-05-20

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