Pyrazinamide (Pyrazinamide)

Do’s

• Take Pyrazinamide exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider, typically once daily or twice weekly, with or without food.
• Take the medication at evenly spaced times. If daily, take it at the same time each day. If weekly, take it on the same days and at the same time each week. Mark a calendar to help you remember.
• Continue taking Pyrazinamide (and all other TB medications) for the full prescribed duration, even if you feel better. Stopping early or skipping doses can worsen the infection or make it resistant to treatment.
• Inform your healthcare provider if your TB symptoms persist or worsen.

Don'ts

• Don't adjust your Pyrazinamide dosage or stop taking it without consulting your healthcare provider.
• There are no specific foods or drinks to avoid while taking Pyrazinamide, but discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.

Common side effects:

• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle and joint pains
• Rash
• Upset stomach
• Fatigue
• Dryness or soreness of the throat
• General feeling of discomfort or illness
• Headache
• Joint or muscle pain

Serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention include:

• Liver problems: nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Gout
• Sensitivity to sunlight
• Skin rash
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Darkened urine
• Pain and swelling in the joints
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Difficult urination

This is not an exhaustive list, and other side effects may occur. If you experience any unusual or severe side effects while taking Pyrazinamide,  contact your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Tell your healthcare provider about any allergies you have, especially to pyrazinamide.

Inform your healthcare provider of your medical history, particularly:

• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Gout or high uric acid levels in the blood
• Alcohol use (current or past)

Avoid alcoholic beverages while using Pyrazinamide as alcohol may increase the risk of liver problems.

Before having surgery, tell your healthcare provider about all medications you use, including Pyrazinamide.

Pyrazinamide may interfere with the effectiveness of live bacterial vaccines. Inform your healthcare provider about your use of Pyrazinamide before any vaccinations.

Pyrazinamide should only be used during pregnancy if clearly necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider. Pyrazinamide passes into breast milk. Consult your healthcare provider before breastfeeding.