Pyrazinamide (Systemic)
   
Pyrazinamide (Systemic)
Canadian Brand Names
• pms-Pyrazinamide
• Tebrazid
Description
Pyrazinamide (peer-a-ZIN-a-mide) belongs to the family of medicines called anti-infectives. It is used, along with other medicines, to treat tuberculosis (TB).
To help clear up your tuberculosis (TB) infection completely, you must keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better. This is very important. It is also important that you do not miss any doses.
Pyrazinamide is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:
Special Considerations
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For pyrazinamide, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to pyrazinamide or to ethionamide (e.g., Trecator-SC), isoniazid (e.g., INH, Nydrazid), or niacin (e.g., Nicobid, nicotinic acid). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy
Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.
Breast-feeding
Pyrazinamide passes into the breast milk in small amounts.
Children
Pyrazinamide has been used in children and, in effective doses, has not been reported to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.
Older adults
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing pyrazinamide in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of pyrazinamide. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
• Gout (history of)-Pyrazinamide may worsen or cause a gout attack in patients with a history of gout
• Liver disease (severe)-Patients with severe liver disease who take pyrazinamide may have an increase in side effects
Administration
To help clear up your TB completely, it is important that you keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment , even if you begin to feel better after a few weeks. It is important that you do not miss any doses .
Dosing
The dose of pyrazinamide will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of pyrazinamide. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Missed dose
If you do miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
To store this medicine:
• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits.
If your symptoms do not improve within 2 to 3 weeks, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
For diabetic patients:
• This medicine may cause false test results with urine ketone tests . Check with your doctor before changing your diet or the dosage of your diabetes medicine.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Pain in large and small joints.
Rare
Loss of appetite; pain and swelling of joints, especially big toe, ankle, and knee; tense, hot skin over affected joints; unusual tiredness or weakness; yellow eyes or skin.
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Rare
Itching; skin rash.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
November 10, 2003 
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