Ethionamide

Generic name: ethionamide [ ETH-eye-ON-a-mide ]
Brand names: Trecator, Trecator-SC
Dosage form: oral tablet (250 mg)
Drug class: Nicotinic acid derivatives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jul 1, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is ethionamide?

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.

Ethionamide 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.

Before taking this medicine

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.

How should I take ethionamide?

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.

Ethionamide dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Tuberculosis -- Active:

Initial dose regimen: 250 mg orally once a day for 1 to 2 days, then 250 mg orally 2 times a day for 1 to 2 days; the dose should be increased to 1000 mg orally in 3 to 4 divided doses
Maintenance dose: 500 to 1000 mg (OR 15 to 20 mg/kg/day) orally once a day
Maximum dose: 1000 mg/day

Comments:
-Additional drug/s should be given with this drug to treat patients with susceptible strains of tuberculosis.
-Maintenance doses may be administered in divided doses in patients who exhibit poor gastrointestinal tolerance.
-Duration of treatment should be based on clinical response, including permanent bacteriological conversion and maximal clinical improvement.

Uses:
-Treatment of active tuberculosis in patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to isoniazid or rifampin
-Treatment of active tuberculosis in patients infected with M tuberculosis when there is intolerance to other drugs

Usual Pediatric Dose for Tuberculosis -- Active:

10 to 20 mg/kg orally in 2 to 3 divided doses per day (after meals) OR 15 mg/kg orally once a day
-Maximum dose: 1000 mg/day

Comments:
-Additional drug/s should be given with this drug to treat patients with susceptible strains of tuberculosis.
-Malabsorption syndrome may occur in patients who adhere to treatment but fail to appropriately respond, and may be present in patients with concurrent HIV infection. Therapeutic drug monitoring should be considered in patients with malabsorption syndrome.
-The duration of treatment should be based on clinical response, including permanent bacteriological conversion and maximal clinical improvement.
-The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends once a day treatment with isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide for 2 months in patients with meningitis caused by M tuberculosis, and once a day treatment with isoniazid and rifampin for 9 to 12 months in patients with meningitis caused by Mycoplasma bovis.

Uses:
-Treatment of active tuberculosis in patients with M tuberculosis resistant to isoniazid or rifampin
-Treatment of active tuberculosis in patients infected with M tuberculosis when there is intolerance to other drugs

Related/similar drugs

ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, Levaquin, rifampin

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking ethionamide?

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking ethionamide.

What other drugs will affect ethionamide?

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.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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