Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Trecator
- Antitubercular Agents
Description
Second-line agent for tuberculosis; for disease resistant to rifampin and/or isoniazid, or for patients who are intolerant of rifampin and isoniazid; used in combination with at least one other antitubercular drug; only film-coated tablets (Trecator®) available.
Indications
Indicated for the treatment of drug-susceptible tuberculosis infection as part of combination therapy.
For the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis infection as part of combination therapy.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to ethionamide
Severe hepatic dysfunction
Adverse Effects
- Disorder of gastrointestinal tract (50%)
- Postural hypotension
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Psychosis
- Photosensitivity
- Rash
- Excessive salivation
- Gynecomastia
- Hypoglycemia
- Impotence
- Anorexia
- Dyspepsia
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Metallic taste
- Vomiting
- Thrombocytopenia
- Elevated liver transaminases
Warnings
Use caution in diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, hepatic impairment
HIV patients may have malabsorption syndrome
Used as monotherapy in the treatment of tuberculosis results in rapid development of resistance; give suitable companion drug or drugs; base the choice on results of susceptibility testing; therapy may be initiated prior to receiving results of susceptibility tests as deemed appropriate by physician; administer with at least one, sometimes two, other drugs to which organism is known to be susceptible
Prescribing drug in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection indication is unlikely to provide benefit to patient and increases risk of development of drug-resistant bacteria
Ethionamide may potentiate adverse effects of other antituberculous drugs administered concomitantly
Perform ophthalmologic examinations (including ophthalmoscopy) before and periodically during therapy
Excessive ethanol ingestion should be avoided; psychotic reaction reported
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy Category: C
Lactation: enters breast milk; safe
Maximum Dosage
1 g/day PO.
1 g/day PO.
20 mg/kg/day (Max: 1 g/day) PO.
20 mg/kg/day (Max: 1 g/day) PO.
20 mg/kg/day PO.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
How supplied
Ethionamide
tablet
- 250mg
