Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 4, 2026

Assay Development for High-Throughput Drug Screening Against Mycobacteria
Published on: October 25, 2024
Telithromycin: an oral ketolide for respiratory infections
D T Bearden1, M M Neuhauser, K W Garey
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Albany College of Pharmacy, New York, USA.
Abstract:
The ketolides represent a new subclass of antibiotics among the macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin group. Telithromycin, the first ketolide to be awarded approvable status for clinical use, demonstrates in vitro activity against community-acquired respiratory pathogens including penicillin- and erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. An extended half-life permits once-daily oral administration. Telithromycin is a substrate for cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 and also inhibits drugs metabolized by CYP3A4. A relatively high frequency of mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal adverse effects has been reported. Similar clinical and microbiologic efficacy has been demonstrated with oral dosing in comparative clinical trials for community-acquired pneumonia, acute sinusitis, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, and pharyngitis. Although limited data on penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae and erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes are available from clinical trials, this drug appears promising for respiratory infections caused by these pathogens.
Related Concept Videos
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
Inhibitors of Bacterial DNA Synthesis
Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Inhibitors of Bacterial Protein Synthesis
Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...
