Last update Dec. 31, 2022

Telithromycin

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

It is a ketolide antibacterial used for the treatment of respiratory infections, including community-acquired pneumonia. Oral administration once a day.

At the date of the last update we did not find any published data on its excretion in breast milk.

Its pharmacokinetic characteristics (moderately elevated molecular weight and large volume of distribution) make it very unlikely its excretion into breast milk in significant amounts.

Although rare, the possibility of transient gastroenteritis due to alteration of the intestinal flora in infants whose mothers take antibiotics should be taken into account. (Ito 1993)

Until more published data is known about this drug in relation to breastfeeding, known safer alternatives are preferable, especially during the neonatal period and in the event of prematurity.

Alternatives

  • Azithromycin (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Clarithromycin (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Telithromycin in other languages or writings:

Group

Telithromycin belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Telithromycin in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 57 %
Molecular weight 812 daltons
Protein Binding 60 - 70 %
VD 2.9 l/Kg
pKa 8.84 -
Tmax 1 (0.5 - 4) hours
10 hours

References

  1. FDA. Telithromycin Drug Summary. 2007 Full text (in our servers)
  2. Ito S, Blajchman A, Stephenson M, Eliopoulos C, Koren G. Prospective follow-up of adverse reactions in breast-fed infants exposed to maternal medication. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1993 May;168(5):1393-9. Abstract

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