Here’s the detailed profile for Ethionamide Tablet 250 mg 👇
💊 Ethionamide Tablet 250 mg
📘 Description:
- Ethionamide is a second-line antituberculosis drug used when resistance or intolerance to first-line TB medicines occurs.
- It is a prodrug that is activated by Mycobacterium tuberculosis enzymes → inhibits mycolic acid synthesis, an essential part of the bacterial cell wall.
- Particularly valuable in MDR-TB and XDR-TB regimens.
📄 Prescription / Indications:
- Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
- Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB).
- Occasionally in leprosy, if other agents are unsuitable.
🌿 Nature / Drug Class:
- Antimycobacterial agent
- Thioamide derivative (chemically similar to isoniazid)
✅ Advantages:
- Works against drug-resistant TB strains.
- Good penetration into tissues and macrophages → effective against intracellular bacilli.
- Available in 250 mg tablets, which is the standard strength for adults.
⚠️ Precautions:
Contraindications:
- Known hypersensitivity to Ethionamide.
Use cautiously in:
- Liver impairment (risk of hepatotoxicity).
- Diabetes (may worsen glycemic control).
- Depression/psychosis (can aggravate psychiatric symptoms).
- Pregnancy – avoid unless benefit outweighs risk.
Adverse Effects:
- Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, metallic taste, abdominal discomfort.
- Hepatotoxicity (monitor liver enzymes).
- Neuropsychiatric: depression, anxiety, hallucinations, seizures.
- Hypothyroidism (especially with PAS).
- Peripheral neuropathy → prevented with pyridoxine supplementation.
💊 Dosage (Adults):
- 15–20 mg/kg/day (max: 1 g/day).
- Typical dose: 500–750 mg/day, given in divided doses.
- 250 mg tablet → usually given 2–3 tablets daily depending on body weight and tolerance.
📦 Common Packaging:
- Blister/strip packs of 10 or 30 tablets (250 mg).
- Used as part of MDR-TB treatment kits.
❄️ Storage:
- Store in a cool, dry place, below 25°C.
- Protect from light and moisture.