telithromycin

Telithromycin is a semi-synthetic ketolide antibiotic, structurally related to the macrolide class but distinguished by modifications that enhance its activity against certain resistant bacteria. It was developed as the first clinically used ketolide and is primarily indicated for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by susceptible strains of bacteria, including multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. Telithromycin acts by binding to domains II and V of 23S rRNA within the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes, thereby inhibiting protein synthesis and exerting bactericidal effects. This dual-domain binding confers increased efficacy against macrolide-resistant organisms compared to older macrolides. The drug was originally approved for broader respiratory indications but is now restricted due to safety concerns, particularly hepatotoxicity and life-threatening exacerbations in patients with myasthenia gravis. Telithromycin is administered orally as tablets[1][2][3][4][5].

Brand names

KetekKetek Pak

Other names

telitromicinatelithromycineLevviax