When a doctor writes you a prescription, we don't really understand some of the medications in it, do we? Sometimes we don't even know the name of it. So today we are talking about one such specific antibiotic. That is Telithromycin. If you or someone in your family has been prescribed this medicine, this article will be very important for you.
Simply put, what is Telithromycin?
Telithromycin is an antibiotic that belongs to the ketolide class. Simply put, this medicine can kill certain types of bacteria that enter our bodies. This means that it is only given for bacterial infections .
Remember one very important thing. This medicine will not cure viral infections like the common cold, flu, and cough. Because this is not a medicine that kills viruses. Therefore, use this medicine only if prescribed by a doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before your doctor prescribes Telithromycin for you, it is important to know your complete medical history. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Your health condition or opportunity | Why should you inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Irregular heartbeat | This medicine can sometimes affect the heartbeat. |
| Kidney disease | Because medications are eliminated from the body through the kidneys, the dosage may need to be adjusted. |
| Liver disease | This medication can affect the liver, so it can be dangerous if you already have liver disease. |
| Myasthenia Gravis | This is a disease that weakens muscles, and this medication may worsen the symptoms. |
| Allergies to medications, foods, or other things | If you are allergic to telithromycin, other macrolide antibiotics, or anything else, it can cause a dangerous reaction. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | It is very important to seek medical advice about the use of medications during pregnancy. |
| Being a breastfeeding mother | You should discuss with your doctor whether the medication can pass to your baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
- Swallow this tablet with a glass of water. It doesn't matter whether you take it before or after a meal.
- Take your medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the correct intervals . If you are taking one a day, try to take it at the same time every day.
- The most important thing: Even if you feel a little better, finish the entire course of medication prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop halfway. If you do, the bacteria that caused the illness may not be completely eliminated, and the illness may return. And the bacteria may become resistant to the medication.
- If giving this medicine to children, it is imperative to talk to a pediatrician and seek advice.
- Overdose: If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
This medicine is for you only. Never give your medicine to anyone else, even if you think they have the same illness as you.
What to do if you miss a dose of medicine?
Sometimes we forget to take our medicine. If that happens, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Telithromycin is a drug that has a high potential to interact with other medications. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including those prescribed by other doctors, over-the-counter medications, painkillers, vitamins, Ayurvedic medicines, and even traditional herbal remedies).
Avoid taking telithromycin with this medicine.
Taking the following medications with telithromycin can cause serious side effects.
- Some cholesterol-lowering medications (e.g. atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin)
- Antifungals (e.g. ketoconazole, fluconazole)
- Some medications used to treat irregular heartbeats (e.g. amiodarone, quinidine)
- Ergot alkaloids (medicines used for migraines)
- Drugs like Pimozide, Cisapride, Thioridazine
- Rifampin (an antibiotic for tuberculosis)
If you are taking this medicine, tell your doctor.
The following medications may also interact with telithromycin. So if you are taking these, inform your doctor.
- Blood thinners, such as Warfarin
- Digoxin (a medicine for heart disease)
- Carbamazepine, Phenytoin (medicines used for epilepsy)
- Cyclosporine, Tacrolimus (immune control drugs)
- Theophylline (a medicine for asthma)
- Some medications for sleep or anxiety
This list is not complete, so it's safest to tell your doctor about all the medications you take.
What are the possible side effects of taking the medicine?
Like any medication, telithromycin can cause side effects. Some are minor, but others require immediate attention.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Severe allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. If you have difficulty breathing, go to the ETU immediately. |
| Vision changes, fainting | Blurred vision, fainting, or loss of consciousness. This is very dangerous. Tell your doctor immediately. Avoid driving. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Dark urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pain in the upper right side of the stomach, pale stools, loss of appetite. |
| Severe diarrhea | Watery diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days. Do not take medicine from the pharmacy and tell your doctor. |
| Skin blisters or sores | Redness of the skin, blistering, peeling of the skin, sores inside the mouth. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Normal diarrhea | This can occur as the body gets used to the medication. |
| Stomach discomfort | Things like stomach ache, nausea, etc. |
| Dry mouth | You can get relief by drinking a little more water. |
How should you store the medicine?
- Keep out of reach of children .
- Store at room temperature (between 15-30 Celsius). Keep away from excessive heat and moisture.
- Keep the bottle cap tightly closed.
- Throw away expired medications.
This information sheet is only a summary. If you have any further questions about this medicine, please feel free to talk to your doctor and find out everything you need to know.
Take-Home Message
- Telithromycin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It does not work against viral infections like the common cold.
- No matter how well you feel, take the medicine for the full number of days prescribed by the doctor.
- Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have and all medications you are taking (including Ayurvedic).
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any serious side effects, such as dizziness, vision changes, severe diarrhea, or allergic symptoms.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with anyone else.
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