tel ith roe mye’ sin
Why is this medication prescribed?
Telithromycin is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as bronchitis (infection of the airways that lead to the lungs), pneumonia (infection of the lungs), and sinus infections. Telithromycin is in a class of medications called ketolide antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria. Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.
How should this medicine be used?
Telithromycin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day for 5 to 10 days. To help you remember to take telithromycin, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take telithromycin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
You should start to feel better early in your treatment. Call your doctor if your condition does not improve while you are taking telithromycin. Take telithromycin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking telithromycin too soon, your infection may not be cured and bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking telithromycin,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to telithromycin, azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), dirithromycin (Dynabac), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin), troleandomycin (TAO), or any other medications.
- do not take telithromycin if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid) or pimozide (Orap).
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants (’blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin); antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); carbamazepine (Tegretol); cholesterol-lowering medications such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), and simvastatin (Zocor); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); dexamethasone (Decadron); digoxin (Lanoxin); diuretics (’water pills’); ergot-type medications such as bromocriptine (Parlodel), cabergoline (Dostinex), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergoloid mesylates (Germinal, Hydergine), ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Bellergal-S, Cafergot, Ergomar, Wigraine), methylergonovine (Methergine), methysergide (Sansert), and pergolide (Permax); ethosuximide (Zarontin); medications for irregular heartbeat; metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL); midazolam (Versed); phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); phenytoin (Dilantin); rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); sirolimus (Rapamune); sotalol (Betapace); tacrolimus (Prograf); triazolam (Halcion); and troglitazone (Rezulin). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- if you are taking theophylline (Theo-24, Theobid, Theo-Dur, others), take it 1 hour before or after telithromycin.
- tell your doctor if anyone in your family has or has had slow or irregular heartbeat; if you have ever experienced yellowing of the skin or eyes while taking telithromycin; and if you have or have ever had irregular heartbeat; low blood levels of potassium or magnesium; myasthenia gravis (a disease that causes muscle weakness); or heart, liver, or kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking telithromycin, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking telithromycin.
- you should know that telithromycin may cause dizziness or fainting. If you feel lightheaded and have severe nausea or vomiting, do not drive a car or operate machinery.
- you should know that telithromycin may cause vision problems, including blurred vision, difficulty focusing, and seeing double. These problems usually happen after the first or second dose and last for a few hours. To avoid these problems, avoid quick changes in looking from things far away to things close by. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Call your doctor if your vision problems are severe or interfere with daily activities.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Never take more than one dose of telithromycin in 24 hours. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Telithromycin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- diarrhea
- upset stomach
- headache
- dizziness
- vomiting
- loose stools
- changes in ability to taste
- blurred vision
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
- fainting
- rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
- extreme tiredness
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- lack of energy
- loss of appetite
- pain in the upper right part of the stomach
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- flu-like symptoms
- hives
- rash
- itching
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness
Telithromycin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the telithromycin, call your doctor.
Brand names
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Last Revised - 07/01/2006