Ethionamide (Systemic)

Brand Names : Trecator-SC

Proper Use of This Medicine

Ethionamide may be taken with or after meals if it upsets your stomach.

To help clear up your tuberculosis (TB) completely, it is very important that you keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment , even if you begin to feel better after a few weeks. You may have to take it every day for 1 to 2 years or more. It is important that you do not miss any doses .

Your doctor may also want you to take pyridoxine (e.g., Hexa-Betalin; vitamin B ₆ ) every day to help prevent or lessen some of the side effects of ethionamide. If so, it is very important to take pyridoxine every day along with this medicine. Do not miss any doses .

Dosing - The dose of ethionamide will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of ethionamide. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For the treatment of tuberculosis (TB):
    • Adults and teenagers - 250 milligrams (mg) every eight to twelve hours. Ethionamide must be taken with other medicines to treat tuberculosis.
    • Children - Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 4 to 5 mg per kilogram of body weight every eight hours. Ethionamide must be taken with other medicines to treat tuberculosis.

Missed dose - If you do miss a dose of either of these medicines, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.