Ketek antibiotic a no-no!
 

Just received this info in my Yahoo email alert: WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Food and Drug Administration on Monday announced labeling changes for the antibiotic Ketek, stripping it of two previously approved indications and adding a black-box warning, the agency's strongest.

The agency removed from the label the drug's approval for use in the treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis and acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.

"The agency has determined that the balance of benefits and risks no longer support approval of the drug for these indications," the agency said in a news release.

With Monday's announcement, Ketek remains approved for just one indication: the treatment of mild to moderate cases of pneumonia acquired outside hospitals or long-term care facilities.

The boxed warning says the drug should not be used in patients with myasthenia gravis, which causes muscle weakness.

Thanks, Lois.

It should also not be used in LEMS or CMS patients. For CMS patients, it should not be used by anyone in their families (CMS runs in families).

Dr. James Howard (UNC - Chapel Hill) has spearheaded this campaign - working directly with the drug company - to put these warning labels on Ketek/Telithromycin and to inform the medical community about it. Many doctors still do not know how dangerous it is.

And I think it's important to point out that this antibiotic is not like the other relatively contraindicated antibiotics for MGers. This one absolutely should not be taken by ANY person with MG/LEMS/CMS. Period. That's directly per Dr. Howard. I would be afraid that someone might think it's just another antibiotic that one MGer could be okay with but another would not. Nobody would be okay with this one.

So be careful about what your docs order for you.

Raechel

I had an apt yesterday with my GP, and passed on the word about the Ketek and MG. She made a note of it in my file. Actually, she put it in the computer as being an allergy, so if she ever prescribes it by accident, the computer will flag it!