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Ethionamide

    Brands

    DEA Class; Rx

    Common Brand Names; Trecator

    • Antitubercular Agents

    Second-line agent for tuberculosis; for disease resistant to rifampin and/or isoniazid, or for patients who are intolerant of rifampin and isoniazid; used in combination with at least one other antitubercular drug; only film-coated tablets (Trecator®) available.

    Indicated for the treatment of drug-susceptible tuberculosis infection as part of combination therapy.

    For the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis infection as part of combination therapy.

    Hypersensitivity to ethionamide

    Severe hepatic dysfunction

    • Disorder of gastrointestinal tract (50%)
    • Postural hypotension
    • Depression
    • Dizziness
    • Drowsiness
    • Headache
    • Peripheral neuropathy
    • Psychosis
    • Photosensitivity
    • Rash
    • Excessive salivation
    • Gynecomastia
    • Hypoglycemia
    • Impotence
    • Anorexia
    • Dyspepsia
    • Diarrhea
    • Nausea
    • Metallic taste
    • Vomiting
    • Thrombocytopenia
    • Elevated liver transaminases

    Use caution in diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, hepatic impairment

    HIV patients may have malabsorption syndrome

    Used as monotherapy in the treatment of tuberculosis results in rapid development of resistance; give suitable companion drug or drugs; base the choice on results of susceptibility testing; therapy may be initiated prior to receiving results of susceptibility tests as deemed appropriate by physician; administer with at least one, sometimes two, other drugs to which organism is known to be susceptible

    Prescribing drug in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection indication is unlikely to provide benefit to patient and increases risk of development of drug-resistant bacteria

    Ethionamide may potentiate adverse effects of other antituberculous drugs administered concomitantly

    Perform ophthalmologic examinations (including ophthalmoscopy) before and periodically during therapy

    Excessive ethanol ingestion should be avoided; psychotic reaction reported

    Pregnancy Category: C

    Lactation: enters breast milk; safe

    Adults

    1 g/day PO.

    Geriatric

    1 g/day PO.

    Adolescents

    20 mg/kg/day (Max: 1 g/day) PO.

    Children

    20 mg/kg/day (Max: 1 g/day) PO.

    Infants

    20 mg/kg/day PO.

    Neonates

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Ethionamide

    tablet

    • 250mg