Ethionamide

Ethionamide is a medicine that is used to treat tuberculosis. It belongs to the group of antituberculosis drugs that contain isonicotinic acid hydrazide. This drug is manufactured by several companies in different countries of the world. The most famous manufacturers are Gedeon Richtor A.O., Rusan Pharma and Temis Cam Ikals. All three companies produce two types of medicine: tablet form and injectable form.

The medicine is available in two forms - pills and injection solution with different dosages of the active substance. The dosage of the drug and the duration of treatment are determined individually depending on the severity of the disease and the patient’s condition.

The active components of the drug - ethionamides - inhibit the proliferation of tuberculosis bacteria, prevent their spread and progression of the disease, even in severe forms of tuberculosis and long-term use. For pulmonary and extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis, the drug is prescribed taking into account tolerability and effectiveness for complex therapy. Contraindications include hypersensitivity to a component of the drug, as well as dysfunction of the liver and pancreas. In addition, it is necessary to take into account restrictions on the use of tablets in people with diabetes, epilepsy and diseases of the nervous system in history.

Unlike tablets, the injection form of the drug has a slightly larger list of contraindications for use, including age restrictions up to 18 years, severe infections of the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. There is also a restriction on use - diabetes mellitus in the stage of decompensation, epilepsy and other diseases of the nervous system, in which psychomotor agitation can be dangerous. Side effects such as nausea, vomiting, rash, digestive disorders, anemia and other changes may occur in patients in the first few days of starting treatment. However, they are usually reversible and can be resolved with proper therapy. In this regard, it is very important to choose the correct dosage of the drug and promptly report any changes in the doctor’s health status.

Interactions of ethionamides with other drugs may increase the risk of neuroinflammatory effects and should therefore be taken into account during treatment. Cycloserine is an antimicrobial agent, a drug from the group of aminoglycosides, which can lead to an increase in side effects when used simultaneously.