Ohio Ketek® Lawyers

KETEK CLAIMS

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What is Ketek?

Ketek is an antibiotic used for respiratory tract infections, acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis for those 18 years and older, acute bacterial sinusitis, and some forms of pneumonia. It is the only drug in a new class of antibiotics known as Ketolides.

Who is the manufacturer?

Ketek is made by Sanofi-aventis, with global headquarters in Paris, France, and U.S. headquarters in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Sanofi-aventis is the world's third largest pharmaceutical company, ranking number 1 in Europe.

What is the problem with this drug?

Ketek has been linked to hepatitis and liver damage resulting in liver transplants and death.

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is liver disease, and it is characterized by fatigue, malaise, joint aches, abdominal pain, vomiting two or three times a day for the first five days, loss of appetite, dark urine, fever, jaundice, and an enlarged liver. However, some forms of hepatitis show very few of these signs. Certain liver function tests can detect hepatitis. Signs and symptoms of hepatitis include:

jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes)
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
severe or watery diarrhea or persistent diarrhea
skin rash, itching
swelling of tongue or throat
difficult breathing
fainting spells
eye problems such as blurred vision, difficulty focusing, and objects doubled
vomiting

Is Ketek still on the market?

Yes.

However, Dr. David Graham of the FDA believes that the FDA's 2004 approval drug Ketek was a mistake.

In May 2006, Dr. Graham wrote in an e-mail to another official, "It's as if every principle governing the review and approval of new drugs was abandoned or suspended where telithromycin [Ketek] is concerned." He went on, "We don't really know if the drug works; no one is claiming it works better than other, safer drugs; and we're flying blind as far as safety goes, except for our own A.D.R. data that suggests telithromycin is uniquely more toxic than most other drugs."

Do I have a case?

If you developed liver failure, hepatitis, or other liver problem while taking Ketek, you might have a case. There are also cases for people who died of liver failure linked to Ketek.