Telithromycin - A once-daily, broad-spectrum ketolide for treatment of various respiratory infections

Telithromycin is the first member of a new class of antimicrobials, ketolid es, that are structurally similar to macrolides. Currently under FDA review for treatment of various respiratory infections, telithromycin offers a sp ectrum of activity that encompasses streptococci (including Streptococcus p neumoniae), staphylococci, some gram-negative organisms (including Haemophi lus influenzas), and atypical pathogens. Telithromycin appears to retain ac tivity against macrolide-resistant strains of organisms. The most common ad verse effect with telithromycin is diarrhea. The drug is administered orall y with or without food; all the clinical trials found it to be effective at a dosage of 800 mg once daily. A treatment course of 7 to 10 days is neces sary for community-acquired pneumonia, while a 5-day course appears effecti ve for the drug's other potential indications. No dosage adjustment is need ed in the setting of hepatic or renal impairment.