title: Telithromycin: an oral ketolide for respiratory infections.
abstract: The ketolides represent a new subclass of antibiotics among the macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin group. Telithromycin, the first ketolide to be awarded approvable status for clinical use, demonstrates in vitro activity against community-acquired respiratory pathogens including penicillin- and erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. An extended half-life permits once-daily oral administration. Telithromycin is a substrate for cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 and also inhibits drugs metabolized by CYP3A4. A relatively high frequency of mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal adverse effects has been reported. Similar clinical and microbiologic efficacy has been demonstrated with oral dosing in comparative clinical trials for community-acquired pneumonia, acute sinusitis, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, and pharyngitis. Although limited data on penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae and erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes are available from clinical trials, this drug appears promising for respiratory infections caused by these pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Albany College of Pharmacy, New York, USA.
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Bearden
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Neuhauser
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Garey
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004351:Drug Resistance; D006801:Humans; D048628:Ketolides; D018942:Macrolides; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D048628:Ketolides; D018942:Macrolides; C106791:telithromycin