Telithromycin may cause sudden and serious liver damage.
In rare cases,
liver failure can develop and may cause death. Stop using the medication and call
your doctor right away if you have nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine,
clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Do not take telithromycin if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid) or pimozide (Orap),
or if you have a muscle disorder called myasthenia gravis.
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction or
liver problems caused by telithromycin or similar antibiotics such as erythromycin (Ery-Tab,
E.E.S.), azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), troleandomycin (TAO), or
dirithromycin (Dynabac).
Take this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you
begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely
treated. Telithromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
What is telithromycin?
Telithromycin is in a group of drugs called antibiotics. Telithromycin helps the body fight
infection that is caused by bacteria.
Telithromycin is used to treat bacterial infections in the lungs and sinuses.
Telithromycin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking telithromycin?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to telithromycin, or if you have:
-
myasthenia gravis;
-
if you are also taking cisapride (Propulsid) or pimozide
(Orap); or
-
if you have a history of liver problems caused by
telithromycin or similar antibiotics such as erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E.E.S., PCE, Erythrocin),
azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), troleandomycin (TAO), or dirithromycin
(Dynabac).
Before taking telithromycin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
drugs, or if you have:
If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may not be able to
use telithromycin or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether telithromycin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
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