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Pyrazinamide

  • Pyrazinamide is used alongside other drugs, to treat tuberculosis.
  • The most common side effects are feeling or being sick, this usually improves after a few days.
  • It is important to keep your doctors appointments so that your condition can be treated fully.

About pyrazinamide

Type of medicine Antituberculosis drug
Used for Treatment of tuberculosis
Also called Zinamide
Available as Tablets

This belongs to the group of medicines known as antituberculosis drugs. Pyrazinamide is used alongside other drugs, to treat tuberculosis.

Before taking pyrazinamide

Before taking pyrazinamide make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you suffer from liver problems
  • If you suffer from porphyria or diabetes
  • If you suffer from or have ever suffered from gout

How to take pyrazinamide

  • Do not stop taking pyrazinamide without speaking to your doctor first.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • You must keep your regular appointments with your doctor.

Can pyrazinamide cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine What can I do if I experience this
Feeling or being sick If you feel sick eat little and often. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast.
If you are being sick drink plenty of liquid. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast. If vomiting continues to be a problem speak to your doctor.
Difficulty or pain when urinating (passing water), skin rash or joint pain, loss of appetite Speak to your doctor about these side-effects if you as soon as possible.

If you experience jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), malaise (generally feeling unwell) or severe sickness contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once.

How to store pyrazinamide

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2006 DocID:
1482		 DocRef:
dils2299		 Last Updated:
20 Nov 2006		 Date of Next Review:
19 Nov 2008		 Version:
22
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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