Pyrazinamide
Generic name: pyrazinamide [ peer-a-ZIN-a-mide ]
Dosage form: oral tablet (500 mg)
Drug class:Miscellaneous antituberculosis agents
What is pyrazinamide?
Pyrazinamide is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.
Pyrazinamide is used to treat tuberculosis (TB) in adults and children.
Pyrazinamide must be used with other TB medicines. Tuberculosis can become resistant to treatment if pyrazinamide is used alone. Take all your medicines as prescribed by your doctor.
Pyrazinamide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You should not use pyrazinamide if you have active gout or severe liver disease.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use pyrazinamide if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
active gout; or
severe liver disease.
To make sure pyrazinamide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
HIV or AIDS;
gout;
liver disease;
diabetes; or
if you drink large amounts of alcohol.
Your doctor will check your liver enzymes and uric acid levels before you start treatment, to make sure you can safely take pyrazinamide.
It is not known whether pyrazinamide will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using pyrazinamide.
Pyrazinamide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take pyrazinamide?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Tuberculosis must be treated over a long period of time (up to 6 months or longer).
Pyrazinamide is given in combination with other medications and should not be used alone. You may need to take pyrazinamide for only the first 2 months of your full course of treatment.
Pyrazinamide is usually taken once per day. However, some people take the medicine only 2 times per week.
Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Pyrazinamide will not treat a viral infection ...
