Indications
Pyrazinamide is an antibiotic medication that is used to treat tuberculosis. Its mechanism of action is not well understood and is still the subject of research, but it is believed to work by inhibiting the growth of the bacteria responsible for causing tuberculosis.
Pyrazinamide is converted to an active form called pyrazinoic acid by a specific enzyme called pyrazinamidase, which is produced by the bacterium responsible for causing tuberculosis. Under acidic conditions, such as those that occur inside the infected cells, pyrazinoic acid is believed to inhibit the synthesis of fatty acids that are vital for the survival and growth of the bacterium, leading to its death.
Uses and Dosage
Pyrazinamide is typically administered as an oral tablet, taken once daily at a consistent time each day or in larger doses twice per week, with or without food. To ensure appropriate usage of this medication, follow the dosage instructions on your prescription label and clarify any lingering confusion with your doctor or pharmacist.
Avoid making any changes to your pyrazinamide intake, such as taking more, taking less frequently, or in smaller or larger amounts, without consulting your healthcare provider to avoid potential harmful medical effects.
The recommended dosage of Pyrazinamide may vary depending on the patient's weight and the type of tuberculosis being treated. The usual adult dose for active TB for patients weighing 40 to 75 kg is typically 1000 to 1500 mg orally once a day.
Side Effect
Common Side Effects of Pyrazinamide (Pyrazinamide):
- Joint or muscle pain
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Serious Side Effects of Pyrazinamide (Pyrazinamide):
- Clay-colored stools
- Dark urine
- Easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums)
- Fever
- Itching
- Joint pain or swelling
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Redness or swelling joints (especially at night)
- Stiff joints
- Tiredness
- Upper stomach pain
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
Form and Strength
Pyrazinamide (Pyrazinamide) is available in the following forms and strength:
Pyrazinamide: Tablet
- 500 mg
Caution
- If you are considering taking pyrazinamide, inform your healthcare provider of any known allergies you have or if you are sensitive to any of its components. Additionally, this medication may contain inactive ingredients that could provoke allergic reactions or other issues, so consult with your pharmacist to learn more about its composition.
- If you intend to use pyrazinamide, disclose your health history to your healthcare provider or pharmacist, especially if you have or have had liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, gout, elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, or alcohol use, among other factors that may impact your usage of this medication.
- To reduce the potential risk of liver disease associated with pyrazinamide, avoid consuming alcoholic beverages while using this medication, as alcohol consumption can elevate the risk of liver toxicity.
- Before receiving any immunizations or vaccinations, inform your healthcare provider of your pyrazinamide use, as pyrazinamide may reduce the efficacy of live bacterial vaccines, such as the typhoid vaccine. Therefore, consult your healthcare professional before undergoing any vaccination while being treated with pyrazinamide.
- If you are pregnant and considering pyrazinamide, use this medication only when necessary and after a thorough discussion of the potential outcomes with your doctor. This medication passes into breast milk, and the impact on a nursing baby is uncertain. Therefore, consult your healthcare provider prior to breastfeeding to discuss the potential benefits and risks associated with this medication.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best time to take pyrazinamide?
This medicine should be taken on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, with a full glass of water.
Why stop pyrazinamide after 2 months?
Indeed, the use of a short, 2-month course of combination therapy with rifampin and pyrazinamide for latent tuberculosis was abandoned because of the frequency of severe liver injury with this regimen that was occasionally fatal (Case 2).
How long do you take pyrazinamide for TB?
It is treatable with a course of medicines which usually lasts for six months in total. You will need to take several medicines to treat TB - pyrazinamide is just one of the medicines prescribed.
REVIEWS