Ethionamide
About Ethionamide
Ethionamide is a prescription medicine used alongside other medications to treat active tuberculosis (TB). It belongs to a class of medicines that target and stop the growth of the bacteria responsible for this serious infection. Because tuberculosis bacteria are highly resilient, this medicine is never used alone and must always be taken as part of a multi-drug treatment plan to ensure all bacteria are eliminated.
To get the best results, you must take Ethionamide consistently and exactly as prescribed, usually once daily. Taking your doses at the same time every day helps maintain a steady level of the medicine in your body, which prevents the bacteria from becoming resistant to the treatment. You can take this tablet with or without food, though taking it with meals or at bedtime can help reduce common stomach upset. Alongside your medication, eating a nutritious, calorie-rich diet and staying well-hydrated will support your body's healing process.
While taking Ethionamide, you may experience some common side effects such as nausea, a metallic taste, or a loss of appetite. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you notice serious symptoms like yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe numbness and tingling in your hands or feet. These can be early signs of liver damage or nerve irritation that require prompt medical evaluation.
Do not take this if you have severe liver damage, as this medicine can place extra strain on your liver. Before starting Ethionamide, it is highly important to talk to your doctor if you have a history of liver disease, kidney problems, diabetes, thyroid issues, or depression. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks to ensure this is the safest treatment option for your specific health profile.
This medicine can interact with several other substances, especially alcohol, which significantly increases the risk of severe liver damage and should be completely avoided. It may also interact with other prescription medicines, so you must share a complete list of everything you take with your healthcare provider. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, you must talk to your doctor, as your treatment may require closer monitoring or specialised dosage adjustments.
Uses of Ethionamide
Medicinal Benefits
Ethionamide is an antibiotic used with other medicines to treat tuberculosis, particularly certain drug-resistant forms of the infection. Combination treatment helps control the bacteria and reduce the risk of further resistance.
- Treats Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: Helps control tuberculosis caused by bacteria that are resistant to some commonly used anti-tuberculosis medicines.
- Stops Bacterial Growth: Interferes with processes that tuberculosis bacteria need to grow and survive, helping the other medicines in the treatment regimen clear the infection.
- Supports Recovery: As the infection comes under control, symptoms such as persistent cough, night sweats, fatigue, and unintentional weight loss may gradually improve.
- Helps Prevent Disease Progression: Effective treatment may reduce the risk of tuberculosis worsening or spreading to other parts of the body.
- Supports Successful Combination Treatment: When taken consistently as part of the full prescribed regimen, Ethionamide contributes to tuberculosis control and helps reduce the risk of additional drug resistance.
Directions for Use
- Take Ethionamide with or without food as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations on the dosage and timing of this medication to achieve optimal results.
- Swallow Ethionamide as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Ethionamide
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting
- Loss of appetite or a metallic taste in the mouth
- Dizziness or temporary drowsiness
- Increased saliva production
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Signs of liver damage, including yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusually dark urine, severe stomach pain, or persistent nausea
- Numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in your hands or feet
- Sudden changes in your vision, eye pain, or trouble distinguishing colours
- Severe mental changes, such as new or worsening depression, anxiety, confusion, or extreme mood swings
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as a skin rash, hives, itching, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Keep your lab appointments: Your doctor will need to run regular blood tests to check your liver health while you take Ethionamide. Always attend these scheduled appointments so that your liver function can be monitored.
- Monitor your blood sugar: If you have diabetes, this medicine can affect your blood glucose levels. Check your blood sugar closely and report any unusual changes to your doctor.
- Schedule regular eye exams: Because this medicine can occasionally affect your eyesight, have your eyes checked before starting the medicine and report any vision changes immediately.
- Avoid driving if you feel dizzy: This medicine can cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are certain how this medicine affects you.
- Finish the entire course: Even if your symptoms go away quickly, you must finish the complete course of treatment to ensure the infection does not return.
Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may interact with Ethionamide:
- Other tuberculosis treatments (such as isoniazid or rifampin): Taking these in combination with Ethionamide can increase the likelihood of liver damage and nerve irritation.
- Anti-seizure medications: This medicine can raise the levels of certain seizure drugs in your body, increasing the risk of their side effects.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption while taking Ethionamide as it could lead to increased dizziness or mental/mood changes.
Pregnancy
cautionPregnancy Category C: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. It is unknown whether Ethionamide can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. It should not be used in pregnant women.
Breast Feeding
unsafeEthionamide may pass into breast milk. Do not breastfeed while taking Ethionamide.
Driving
unsafeEthionamide may cause dizziness, vision problems, numbness and tingling sensation in hands and feet. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience these symptoms.
Liver
unsafeDo not use ethionamide if you have severe liver disease. consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this or kidney impairment/kidney disease before taking Ethionamide.
Children
cautionEthionamide should not be used in children without a doctor's advice.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid alcohol completely: Drinking alcohol while taking Ethionamide greatly increases the risk of severe liver damage and can worsen dizziness or confusion.
- Eat calorie- and protein-rich foods: Tuberculosis can weaken your body and cause weight loss. Focus on a highly nutritious diet filled with lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains to support tissue repair and boost your energy.
- Ask about Vitamin B6: This medicine can interfere with how your body uses Vitamin B6, which may lead to nerve tingling or pain. Talk to your doctor about whether taking a daily Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplement is right for you.
- Manage nausea with smaller meals: If you struggle with appetite loss or nausea, eating five or six small meals throughout the day instead of three large ones can make it easier to maintain your nutrition.
Special Advise
Your doctor may advise you to get regular liver tests while taking Ethionamide to check how your liver functions.
You may need frequent blood tests to check your liver and thyroid function. You may also need frequent eye exams.
If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar levels carefully while on this medication.
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 the kidneys, brain, spine, and bone marrow. Tuberculosis is caused by a bacteria named Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a contagious disease which 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 with normal breathing, unexplained fatigue, fever, night sweats, 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
Ethionamide is used to treat tuberculosis.
Ethionamide is an antibiotic which works by inhibiting the synthesis of mycolic acid (a saturated fatty acid found in the bacterial cell wall), thereby stopping the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall. Eventually, this leads to bacterial cell wall disruption. Ethionamide may have bacteriostatic or bactericidal in action. Ethionamide indicated in the treatment of active tuberculosis in patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection resistant to rifampin or isoniazid.
Do not stop taking Ethionamide despite symptomatic relief. Treat your condition effectually, continue taking Ethionamide for as long as it has been prescribed for you.
Ethionamide 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 Ethionamide. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this; your doctor may suggest an alternate contraception method.
Ethionamide might affect vision rarely. It may cause blurred/decreased/double vision, colour blindness, or eye pain. Inform your doctor right away if you notice/experience any of these serious side effects. Do not drive if you experience any of these symptoms.
Ethionamide might interfere with live bacterial vaccines and cause them not to work as well. Do not have any immunizations/vaccinations while on this medication.
Yes, it is safe to use other tuberculosis medications with Ethionamide if prescribed by the doctor.
Ethionamide should not be given to children under 12 years of age as its safety and effectiveness were not established. Consult the doctor if you have any concerns.
Ethionamide belongs to a group of medications called antibiotics. It treats tuberculosis, an infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs. It works by inhibiting the growth of the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis).
Ethionamide contains ethionamide, which is classified as a second-line drug because it is used to treat tuberculosis (TB) when first-line drugs are ineffective, poorly tolerated, or result in resistance. These medications are generally reserved for more complex or drug-resistant TB cases.
Avoid breastfeeding while taking Ethionamide as it passes into breast milk. Do not drink alcohol while taking Ethionamide, as it may increase the risk of liver issues or cause changes in mood and mental state. Drive cautiously while taking Ethionamide as it may cause dizziness and vision problems. If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar levels carefully. the doctor may suggest regular blood tests to monitor your liver and thyroid function, as well as frequent vision tests while taking Ethionamide.
Ethionamide should be taken for as long as it has been prescribed by the doctor. The dose and duration will be determined by the doctor based on your medical condition.
The doctor may suggest regular blood tests to monitor your liver and thyroid function, your health condition and the effectiveness of the medicine.
Contact the doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of liver toxicity like nausea, loss of appetite, dark urine, pale stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or pain and tenderness in the upper right abdomen.
The doctor may recommend taking vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) with Ethionamide, to help prevent certain side effects, such as nerve problems.
Ethionamide may cause aggression as a side effect in some individuals. These symptoms may be related to Ethionamide or other TB medications. It is important to discuss these changes with their family or doctor for proper management and care.
The side effects of Ethionamide include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, increased saliva, strange metallic taste, or sores in the mouth. Consult the doctor if any of these symptoms persist or worsen.
No, you should not drink alcohol while taking Ethionamide. Combining alcohol with this medicine increases your risk of severe liver damage and can cause side effects like confusion, drowsiness, and dizziness. Talk to your doctor if you need support avoiding alcohol.
You can take Ethionamide either with or without food. However, since upset stomach and nausea are very common side effects of this medicine, taking it with a meal or just before bed can help make it easier on your stomach. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if stomach discomfort persists.
Numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation in your hands or feet can occur because this medicine sometimes interferes with your body's nerve function. This is often managed by taking a daily Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplement. Talk to your doctor right away if you experience these sensations.
Tuberculosis treatment is a long-term process that can last anywhere from several months to two years, depending on your infection. You must continue taking Ethionamide for the exact duration your doctor prescribes, even if you feel completely healthy. Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your therapy.
Yes, in rare cases, this medicine can affect your eyes, leading to blurred vision or difficulty distinguishing colours. Your doctor may recommend baseline and regular eye checkups during treatment. If you notice any sudden changes in your vision, talk to your doctor immediately.
This medicine is typically not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless your doctor decides that the health benefit to you clearly outweighs the potential risk to your baby. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor to discuss the safest options.
Regular blood tests are necessary to monitor your liver function, thyroid health, and blood sugar levels. This helps your healthcare team ensure that the medication is safe for you and is not causing silent side effects. Always attend your scheduled lab appointments and talk to your doctor about your results.
Yes, this medicine can sometimes cause mental health side effects, including depression, anxiety, confusion, or sudden mood changes. If you have a history of mental health conditions or if you or your family notice any worrying changes in your behaviour or mood, talk to your doctor right away.
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