What is Ketek?

Telithromycin (brand name Ketek) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2004 to treat acute bacterial infections from chronic bronchitis, acute bacterial sinusitis and community-acquired pneumonia. In January 2006 researchers reported three cases of severe liver injury following the use of Ketek (Telithromycin). Researchers say that one of the patients died; one required and received a liver transplant; and the third recovered from drug-induced hepatitis after the antibiotic was stopped.

Patients taking Ketek should report symptoms such as malaise, weakness, or jaundice to their prescribing physicians. Telithromycin is a possible cause of severe liver damage and should probably be taken with caution until it is proven to be safe.

If you have been harmed by the use of Ketek (i.e., suffered severe liver damage), you should contact a lawyer immediately.