Uses
Pyrazinamide kills or stops the growth of certain bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB). It is used with other drugs to treat tuberculosis.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Side Effects Of Pyrazinamide
Pyrazinamide may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- upset stomach
- fatigue
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- skin rash
- fever
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- darkened urine
- pain and swelling in the joints
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- difficult urination
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking pyrazinamide:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pyrazinamide, niacin, ethionamide (Trecator-SC), or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially allopurinol (Zyloprim), colchicine, and/or probenecid (Col-Probenecid, Benemid), ethionamide (Trecator-SC), and vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had gout, liver or kidney disease, or diabetes.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking pyrazinamide, call your doctor.
- plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Pyrazinamide may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
Dosage Of Pyrazinamide
Pyrazinamide comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day (at the same time each day) or in larger doses twice a week. Pyrazinamide may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your pharmacist or doctor to explain any part you do not understand. Take pyrazinamide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to pyrazinamide.
If you have diabetes, pyrazinamide may interfere with urine ketone tests. If you use urine ketone tests, check with your doctor about using other types of tests while taking pyrazinamide.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
