Ethionamide
Generic medicine reference
Not yet clinically reviewed
This entry was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia app bundle and has not been reviewed by a named clinician on this site. It is provided for educational reference only — verify dosage and safety information against current, authoritative sources and a qualified healthcare professional before any clinical use.
Overview
Ethionamide is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.
Ethionamide is used to treat tuberculosis (TB). Ethionamide must be given in combination with other tuberculosis medications and it should not be used alone.
Ethionamide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Indications
Ethionamide is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.
Ethionamide is used to treat tuberculosis (TB). Ethionamide must be given in combination with other tuberculosis medications and it should not be used alone.
Ethionamide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Contraindications
You should not use ethionamide if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
severe liver disease.
To make sure ethionamide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
liver disease; vision problems; diabetes; or a thyroid disorder.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether ethionamide will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using ethionamide.
It is not known whether ethionamide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.
Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction : hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Ethionamide may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:
numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet; confusion; unusual thoughts or behavior; eye pain, blurred vision, double vision; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; seizure (convulsions); or upper stomach pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common side effects of ethionamide may include:
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; stomach pain, loss of appetite; increased salivation, metallic taste in your mouth; blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing; headache , dizziness; or drowsiness , depressed mood, restless feeling.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
You should not use ethionamide if you have severe liver disease .
High Risk Groups
You should not use ethionamide if you have severe liver disease .
Adult Dosage
250 to 1000 mg (620 (625)) 12 hourly PO — The drug is best taken with meal in divided doses to avoid GI irritaion
Scraped Dose — Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using ethionamide.
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
You may take ethionamide with or without food.
Ethionamide may be taken with food if it upsets your stomach.
You may need frequent blood tests to check your liver and thyroid function. You may also need frequent vision exams.
If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar carefully while taking ethionamide.
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 . Ethionamide will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold .
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Child Dosage
Doses not established for this age grioup ( ) —
Neonatal Dosage
No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.
Drug Interactions
Other drugs may interact with ethionamide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins , and herbal products . Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
Storage
Tab Store at room temperature, Below 25°C. Protect from Sunlight and Moisture.