Ketolides - A Better Antibiotic
We’ve been steadily losing ground in the battle against infections as bacteria develop resistance to more and more antibiotics.
Finally, we have a new weapon. It’s the first in a new class called ketolides, and it’s a major breakthrough in the treatment of drug-resistant respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia, bronchitis and sinusitis. Most of these infections are caused by a strep bacterium that easily overpowers most antibiotics.
Ketek isn’t a perfect solution, because eventually bacteria will likely become resistant to it. Like other classes of antibiotics, ketolides block bacteria’s ability to make life sustaining proteins.
But older drugs disable protein manufacture in just one location; ketolides strike two spots, substantially reducing the chance of resistance.
