The Basics
What is Telithromycin?
A ketolide antibiotic used to treat community acquired pneumonia of mild to moderate severity.
Brand names for Telithromycin
Ketek
How Telithromycin is classified
Anti-Infective Agents, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Ketolides
Telithromycin During Pregnancy
Telithromycin pregnancy category
Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Telithromycin while pregnant
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Telithromycin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Telithromycin was not teratogenic in the rat or rabbit. Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits, with effect on pre-post natal development studied in the rat. At doses of 150 and 20 mg/kg/day in rats and rabbits respectively (approximately 2 and 0.5 times the recommended clinical dose), no evidence of fetal terata was found. At doses higher than 150 or 20 mg/kg in rats and rabbits, respectively, maternal toxicity may have resulted in delayed fetal maturation. No adverse effects on prenatal and postnatal development of rat pups were observed at 125 mg/kg/day (1.5 times) the daily human dose.
Taking Telithromycin While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Telithromycin?
Because there is no published experience with telithromycin during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
Maternal / infant drug levels
Because there is no published experience with telithromycin during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
Possible effects of Telithromycin on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Telithromycin
Azithromycin, Clarithromycin.
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/None listed
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
