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New York Ketek Lawyer

What is Ketek?

Ketek is the brand name of telithromycin which is commonly prescribed to treat mild to moderate respiratory infections in adults. Classified as an antibiotic, the drug Ketek (telithromycin) is used to treat bacterial infections in the lungs and sinuses. Ketek (telithromycin) is often used for the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis; acute bacterial sinusitis; and community acquired pneumonia of mild to moderate severity, including pneumonia caused by resistant strep infections. Since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in April 2004, more than 5 million prescriptions have been written for patients.

However, due to reports of Ketek (telithromycin) causing liver injuries, including rare cases of serious liver failure, the FDA required additional revisions to the drug labeling. The FDA advises both patients taking Ketek (telithromycin) and doctors who prescribe Ketek (telithromycin) to look for signs and symptoms of liver problems. Patients with such symptoms should discontinue Ketek (telithromycin) and seek medical care. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from taking Ketek, you may be able to recover compensation for medical negligence. Contact a New York Ketek Lawyer today for more information on the defective drug, Ketek.

Ketek Safety under Public and Congressional Scrutiny

Ketek (telithromycin) is marketed and used extensively in many other countries throughout the world. Most common side effects are gastrointestinal; diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting. Headache and disturbances in taste also occur. Less common side effects include palpitations, blurred vision and rashes. If you have taken Ketek and experienced any of these side effects, it is important to stop using this drug and get medical attention immediately. Afterwards, it may be to your benefit to contact a New York Ketek lawyer to discuss your legal rights.

Though rare, severe side effects have been reported since January 2006 including damage to the liver. Of these incidents, one has resulted in death, one in a liver transplant and one with a case of drug-induced hepatitis. For more information on the side effects of this drug, contact our New York Ketek lawyer.

There have also been 4 reported cases of fatal liver failure and 23 reported cases of liverrelated injury linked to Ketek (telithromycin).

FDA Responds to Ketek Concerns

On January 20, 2006, the FDA advised the public of their receipt of several reports of patients who experienced serious liver toxicity following the administration of Ketek (telithromycin). These cases had also been reported to the FDA MedWatch.

On June 29, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration notified healthcare professionals and patients that it completed its safety assessment of Ketek (telithromycin). The FDA determined that additional warnings about the risk of liver toxicity are required. As a result, the manufacturer has revised the drug labeling to address this safety concern to strengthen the warning of the risks of liver damage with the use of the drug. In addition, the warnings label for patients with myasthenia gravis are also being strengthened.

On December 14 – 15, 2006, an FDA Advisory Committee conducted a meeting to review the safety and efficacy of Ketek (telithromycin). As a result of this meeting, the Committee recommended that Ketek (telithromycin) should not be prescribed for the treatment of bronchitis and sinusitis - which it had originally been approved for in 2004. While the Committee approved Ketek (telithromycin) for the treatment of certain pneumonia, it was suggested that warnings be strengthened and that information about safety concerns be made widely available to doctors and patients. Contact a defective drug lawyer, if you have been suffered severe side effects from the administered drug, Ketek.

Legal Help for Ketek Users

To facilitate the process and to further understand your legal rights, consult with a New York Ketek Lawyer who is knowledgeable regarding the dangerous and severe side effects of Ketek.

If you or a family member have suffered a illness, injury, or medical condition due to the use of Ketek in New York, please contact a New York Ketek Lawyer of Finz & Finz, P.C. today at (888) FINZ-FIRM to speak with an experienced New York litigation lawyer now or fill out the Free Case Evaluation form on the right of this page.

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Ketek News

FDA Says Aventis Failed To Act on Ketek Drug Fears

Nov 5, 2007 | ANNA WILDE MATHEWS | The Wall Street Journal
The Food and Drug Administration said drug maker Aventis failed to act on reports of serious problems with a safety study on its antibiotic Ketek and didn't properly oversee the trial's conduct...
FULL STORY

Ketek and Aventis’ Study 3014

Oct 23, 2007 | Jane Mundy | Lawyers and Settlements
The antibiotic Ketek was approved by the FDA more than three years ago, ostensibly to be used for respiratory tract infections. There was no mention of side effects such as liver damage and/or liver failure. Since that time, scandals and treachery-mainly involving study 3014--seem to have held no bounds regarding the drug, its manufacturer and the FDA...
FULL STORY

Ketek Safety Concerns Persist

Oct 11, 2007 | Staff | Injury Board
For months, there have been growing concerns over the safety of Ketek, an antibiotic that has caused liver failure in a number of patients...
FULL STORY