Cycloserine
About Cycloserine
Cycloserine is a prescription medication used to treat active tuberculosis (TB) in the lungs and other parts of the body when standard treatments have not worked. It is also sometimes prescribed for certain difficult-to-treat urinary tract infections. This medicine works by stopping the growth of the bacteria responsible for these infections.
To achieve the best results, you must take this medication consistently at the exact times prescribed by your healthcare provider. It can be taken with or without food, though taking it with meals can help reduce stomach upset. Incorporating a nutrient-rich diet, resting adequately, and taking prescribed vitamin supplements are key lifestyle changes that support your recovery.
Common side effects of this medicine include mild drowsiness, dizziness, and headache. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects such as extreme mood changes, anxiety, confusion, or tremors. Early communication with your healthcare team helps manage these symptoms safely.
Before taking Cycloserine, you should discuss your complete medical history with your doctor, especially if you have a history of mental health conditions, kidney disease, or seizures. Do not take this if you suffer from severe depression, severe anxiety, epilepsy, or severe kidney failure.
This medicine interacts poorly with alcohol, which significantly raises your risk of experiencing seizures, as well as certain other tuberculosis medications. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy, you must consult your doctor to discuss whether this treatment is safe for you.
Uses of Cycloserine
Medicinal Benefits
Cycloserine provides several important benefits by helping control resistant bacterial infections and supporting recovery:
- Treats Drug-Resistant Infections: It helps eliminate bacteria that are resistant to standard antibiotics, improving the chances of successful treatment.
- Relieves Infection Symptoms: As the infection clears, it helps reduce symptoms such as chronic cough, chest pain, night sweats, fatigue, or urinary discomfort.
- Prevents the Infection From Spreading: When used as part of combination therapy, it helps stop the infection from spreading within the body and reduces the risk of transmitting tuberculosis to others.
- Supports Complete Recovery: By helping eliminate persistent bacteria, Cycloserine promotes healing of the affected organs and supports long-term recovery when taken exactly as prescribed.
Directions for Use
- It is advised to take Cycloserine with food to avoid any stomach upset or as advised by a doctor.
- Generally, Cycloserine is taken twice every day for the best results or as advised by a doctor.
- Swallow Cycloserine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Cycloserine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Drowsiness or sleepiness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headache
- Mild shaking or tremors
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Sudden mood changes, severe depression, anxiety, confusion, or thoughts of self-harm
- Seizures or convulsions
- Numbness, tingling, or a 'pins and needles' feeling in your hands or feet
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Take Vitamin B6 as Prescribed: Always take your prescribed Vitamin B6 supplement daily to help prevent nerve-related side effects.
- Attend Regular Monitoring Appointments: Attend all scheduled doctor visits and laboratory appointments, as your doctor must check the medicine levels in your blood to ensure safety.
- Monitor for Mood or Behaviour Changes: Ask a close family member or friend to watch for any changes in your mood, behaviour, or mental clarity while you are taking this medication.
- Avoid Driving Until You Know Its Effects: Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform tasks requiring deep concentration until you know how this medicine affects your alertness.
- Do Not Share Your Medicine: Never share your medication with anyone else, even if they have the exact same symptoms you do.
Drug Interactions
Here are the medicines that may interact with Cycloserine and increase the risk of side effects or affect treatment:
- Isoniazid or Ethionamide: Combining these tuberculosis medications with Cycloserine can increase the risk of central nervous system toxicity, leading to drowsiness, dizziness, or seizures.
- Phenytoin: This medicine may increase the levels of phenytoin in your body, which can raise the risk of phenytoin side effects.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption while taking Cycloserine as it could lead to increased dizziness or increase the risk of seizures.
Pregnancy
cautionPregnancy Category C: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. It is unknown whether Cycloserine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Cycloserine should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Breast Feeding
unsafeCycloserine may pass into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Driving
unsafeCycloserine may cause dizziness, mood changes, numbness and tingling sensation in hands and feet. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience these symptoms.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
unsafeDo not use the Cycloserine if you have severe kidney disease. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeDo not use Cycloserine in children younger than 18 years old.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Take Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): Your doctor will likely prescribe a daily Vitamin B6 supplement while you are taking Cycloserine to help protect your nervous system and reduce the risk of nerve damage.
- Avoid alcohol entirely: Drinking alcohol while taking this medicine highly increases your risk of experiencing brain toxicity and seizures.
- Eat nutrient-dense meals: Recovering from tuberculosis requires extra energy; eat balanced meals rich in protein and vitamins to help your body heal.
- Rest and stay hydrated: Prioritise sleep to support your immune system, and drink plenty of fluids to help your kidneys flush out waste.
Special Advise
You may need frequent blood tests to check your kidney and liver function.
Cycloserine may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid) not to work. Do not have any immunization/vaccinations while using this medication unless your doctor tells you to.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Tuberculosis (TB): Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that affects the lungs, but it can also spread to other body parts such as kidneys, brain, spine and bone marrow. Tuberculosis is caused by a bacteria named Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a contagious disease that can spread to others through small droplets released into the air by a person suffering from tuberculosis. Symptoms include a cough that lasts for a few weeks, pain while coughing or normal breathing, unexplained fatigue, fever, night sweats, and loss of appetite and weight. People who smoke or consume alcohol, people diagnosed with HIV, and immune system problems are more likely at risk of developing active TB.
FAQs
Cycloserine is used to treat tuberculosis. It is also used to treat kidney infections.
Cycloserine is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which may be bacteriostatic or bactericidal. It works by blocking peptidoglycan's formation (a substance important for forming the cell walls of bacteria). Eventually, the walls of the bacteria become weak and lead to the death of the bacteria.
Do not stop taking Cycloserine despite symptomatic relief. Treat your condition effectually, continue taking Cycloserine for as long as it has been prescribed for you.
Cycloserine might decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives (birth control pills). This could lead to an unplanned pregnancy. Instead, use a reliable barrier method of contraception such as condoms or the coil while taking Cycloserine. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this, your doctor may suggest an alternate contraception method.
After taking Cycloserine, one may rarely experience mood changes like confusion, depressed mood, unusual thoughts or behaviour. Inform your doctor right away if you notice/experience any of these symptoms.
Cycloserine might interfere with live bacterial vaccines and cause them not to work as well. Do not have any immunizations /vaccinations while on this medication unless you say to.
Cycloserine has been associated in a few instances with vitamin B12 and/or folic acid deficiency, megaloblastic anaemia and sideroblastic anaemia. Consult your doctor for further advice.
Do not use Cycloserine in patients with kidney diseases without consulting your doctor as Cycloserine contains cycloserine, which can affect kidney function. Therefore, please consult your doctor before taking Cycloserine. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose.
No, Cycloserine is not habit-forming. However, it’s important to follow your doctor's instructions regarding the dosage and frequency. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Cycloserine should be used with caution in patients with liver disease if prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will need to monitor your condition closely and may adjust the dosage based on your liver function and overall health.
Cycloserine may be taken with or without food as prescribed by your doctor. However, it's important to take it at the same time each day, as directed by your doctor, to maintain consistent levels of Cycloserine in the body.
Cycloserine should not be taken if you are allergic to Cycloserine, if you have a history of seizure disorder and kidney problems. If you have a psychiatric disorder (e.g. depression or anxiety disorder). Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Yes, Cycloserine is a prescription drug. You need a doctor's prescription to buy it.
No, you should avoid alcohol while taking Cycloserine. Consuming alcohol can increase the risk of seizures and may cause adverse reactions such as nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.
The common side effects of Cycloserine are dizziness, drowsiness, mood changes, headache, numbness, and tingling. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
itamin B6 (pyridoxine) is prescribed alongside this medicine to protect your nervous system. It helps prevent side effects like numbness, tingling, tremors, and mental changes. Talk to your doctor to find out the exact dose of Vitamin B6 you should take.
Tingling, numbness, or a 'pins and needles' feeling in your extremities can be a sign of nerve irritation. You should contact your doctor right away, as they may need to adjust your dose or check your Vitamin B6 intake. Talk to your doctor before making any changes on your own
This medicine is generally only prescribed during pregnancy if your doctor determines the benefits outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are currently breastfeeding, talk to your doctor to discuss your treatment options safely.
No, this medicine is reserved for difficult-to-treat, resistant urinary tract infections when standard, safer antibiotics cannot be used. It is not used as a first-line treatment for common or simple bladder infections. Talk to your doctor to determine the most appropriate antibiotic for your condition.
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