Common use

Ethionamide is an antibiotic that fights bacteria. Ethionamide is used to treat tuberculosis (TB). Ethionamide must be given in combination with other tuberculosis medications and it should not be used alone.

Dosage and direction

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. You may take ethionamide with or without food.
Usual Adult Dose for Tuberculosis. Initial dose regimen: 250 mg orally once a day for 1 to 2 days, then 250 mg orally 2 times a day for 1 to 2 days; the dose should be increased to 1000 mg orally in 3 to 4 divided doses. Maintenance dose: 500 to 1000 mg (OR 15 to 20 mg/kg/day) orally once a day. Maximum dose: 1000 mg/day.

Precautions

To make sure ethionamide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: liver disease; vision problems; diabetes; or a thyroid disorder.
It is not known whether ethionamide will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using ethionamide.
It is not known whether ethionamide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Contraindications

You should not use ethionamide if you are allergic to it, or if you have: severe liver disease.

Possible side effect

Ethionamide may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have: numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet; confusion; unusual thoughts or behavior; eye pain, blurred vision, double vision; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; seizure (convulsions); or upper stomach pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common side effects of ethionamide may include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; stomach pain, loss of appetite; increased salivation, metallic taste in your mouth; blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing; headache, dizziness; or drowsiness, depressed mood, restless feeling.

Drug interaction

Other drugs may interact with ethionamide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep away from children.