Pyrazinamide is a drug used to treat tuberculosis (TB). This drug works by killing and stopping the growth of the bacteria that causes tuberculosis.
In the treatment of tuberculosis, pyrazinamide will be combined with other TB drugs. Overall, TB treatment with a combination of drugs can take 6 months or more.
Pyrazinamide trademark: Corsazinamide, Neotibi, Prazina, Propulmo, Pro TB 4, Pyratibi, Sanazet, Siramid
What's that Pyrazinamide
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Antituberculosis drugs |
| Benefit | Treating tuberculosis (TB) |
| Consumed by | Adults and children |
| Pyrazinamide for pregnant and lactating women | Category C:Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. Pyrazinamide can be absorbed into breast milk in low levels. Breastfeeding mothers are advised to consult their doctor before using this medicine. |
| Drug form | Tablets and caplets |
Precautions Before Taking Pyrazinamide
Pyrazinamide should only be used with a doctor's prescription. Before taking this drug, you need to pay attention to the following:
- Do not take pyrazinamide if you are allergic to this drug.
- Tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you have or are currently suffering from liver problems, kidney problems, porphyria, diabetes, alcoholism, or gout.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun while taking pyrazinamide, as this drug can cause the skin to become sensitive to light.
- Tell your doctor if you plan to vaccinate with a live vaccine, such as the typhoid vaccine, while you are taking pyrazinamide, as this medicine may reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages while on treatment with pyrazinamide, as this can increase the risk of developing liver disease.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic drug reaction, serious side effect, or overdose after taking pyrazinamide.
Pyrazinamide Dosage and Instructions
The dose of pyrazinamide must be adjusted according to body weight, both for adults and children with tuberculosis. There are 2 options for taking pyrazinamide in the first 2 months of TB treatment, namely:
Standard unsupervised tuberculosis treatment
- Mature: For those who weigh <50 kg, the dose used is 1.5 grams per day. For those who weigh 50 kg, the dose used is 2 grams per day.
- Children: 35 mg/kg body weight, per day.
Tuberculosis treatment with regular supervision
- Mature: For those who weigh <50 kg, the dose used is 2 grams 3 times a week. For those who weigh 50 kg, the dose used is 2.5 grams 3 times a week.
- Children: 50 mg/kg, 3 times a week.
How to Consume Pyrazinamide correctly
Follow your doctor's advice and read the information on the pyrazinamide package before starting to take it.
Make sure that there is sufficient time between one dose and the next. Try to take pyrazinamide at the same time every day, to get maximum results.
For patients who forget to take pyrazinamide, it is recommended to take it immediately if the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Make sure you keep taking pyrazinamide until the time limit prescribed by your doctor even if your condition is getting better. This is to prevent the recurrence of tuberculosis infection.
Be sure to keep seeing your doctor regularly while you are taking pyrazinamide so that your doctor can monitor the progress of your condition.
Store pyrazinamide in the package in a cool, dry place, and not exposed to direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.
Pyrazinamide Interactions with Other Drugs
Drug interactions that can occur if pyrazinamide is used together with other drugs are:
- Decreases the effectiveness of birth control pills or live vaccines, such as the typhoid vaccine
- Increases blood levels of the drug ciclosporin
- Increases risk of liver damage when used with rifampicin
- Decreases the effect of uricosuric drugs, such as probenecid or sulfinpyrazone
Side Effects and Dangers Pyrazinamide
Some of the side effects that can occur after taking pyrazinamide are:
- Stomach ache
- Fatigue
- Muscle or joint pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- The recurrence of gout
- Skin is more sensitive to sun exposure
Consult a doctor if the above side effects do not subside immediately or get worse. You need to see a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic drug reaction or more serious side effects, such as:
- Fever
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- skin rash
- Loss of appetite
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
- Dark urine
- Pain and swelling in the joints
- Easy bruising or abnormal bleeding
- Difficult to urinate