May 16, 2006: FDA Memo Discusses Several Cases of Liver Damage among Ketek Patients

In a memo, FDA safety investigators warn that the link between Ketek and liver damage could be more serious than a recent study published in the Annal of Internal Medicine suggested (see January 2006). The memo says there have been 12 cases of liver failure among Ketek patients, including one patient who took only one dose of the medication. Four patients are known to have died, and one had to undergo a liver transplant. They suffered a “profound degree” of liver damage, the memo says. “The rapid tempo and severity of injuries… suggest an acute hypersensitivity-like process.” A review of data on three similar drugs showed far fewer incidents of liver failure, according to the memo. [Los Angeles Times, 6/17/2006]