Ketek an Aventis Pharmaceuticals product

If you have experienced severe bronchitis or other bacteria-related respiratory illnesses, you know how you long for a quick end to your misery. After all, who wants to be sick, miss work, be unable to play with their children, et cetera? Several years ago, a drug called Ketek, manufactured in the U.S. by Aventis Pharmaceuticals, purported to fill the proverbial bill as a safe alternative to erythromycin in cases of some respiratory illnesses.

Ketek, metabolized by the liver, is an orally-taken medication. Typically, it is prescribed in adult (over 18) patients who have lung and/or sinus infections that have been caused by bacteria rather than a virus.

As noted on Ketek's label, some common side effects many have reported after using the medication during Ketek's trials includes abdominal pain, diarrhea, stomach upset, headache, palpitations, and rashes.

However, in early 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was alerted of a much more serious adverse reaction to Ketek. Three cases of liver damage as a result of using the medication alerted the FDA and caused a media hubbub. Of these three cases, one ended in the patient's death, the other in the patient receiving a liver transplant, and the third resulted in drug-induced hepatitis.

Another unexpected side effect of Ketek use is a false positive result in drug screenings for amphetamines or cocaine. This can lead to embarrassment, if not permanent stigmatism, in the individual who is left attempting to explain why he or she tested positive for an illegal substance that was never used.

All these cases have led many to question whether Ketek is actually a defective drug. For instance, was it rushed to market because Aventis wanted to win a share of the market that erythromycin controlled at that time?

Our attorneys are committed to public safety; as a result, we want to warn others about drugs that may have been "fast tracked" to the market without having acceptable amounts of clinical trials beforehand.

A consultation with one of our legal representatives is free and confidential. In fact, you will owe us no money until we get restitution for you as a Ketek victim. Call today and find out how you can send a message to drug companies like Aventis who sometimes put financial gain over the safety of the consumer.

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