Ketek

On May 2nd, the Wall Street Journal published a report raising serious safety concerns over Sanofi-Aventis' antibiotic Ketek. The report also indicated that the primary study used to defend Ketek's safety is wrought with fraud, error, and other inconsistencies.

Ketek, or telithromycin, is an antibiotic medication approved by the FDA in April 2004. Previously, the agency rejected the drug over safety concerns. Ketek is made by the third largest drug company in the world, Sanofi-Aventis, which raked in $34 billion in drug sales during 2005. Ketek was prescribed to over 3.3 million people in the U.S. last year. The drug is used to treat respiratory and bacterial infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, bacterial sinusitis, and other illnesses.

Now, a number of patients have suffered severe liver damage as a result of using Ketek. There have been three reported cases of liver toxicity; one patient needed a liver transplant, and another died.

If you were prescribed Ketek and developed signs of liver damage, please contact The Monsour Law Firm at 1-800-815-2911.