Ethionamide (Ethionamide)
Overview of Ethionamide
Ethionamide is antimycobacterial agent. Ethionamide is chemically related to isoniazid. Ethionamide is poorly water soluble and available only in oral form. Resistance to drug emerges rapidly when the drug is used alone. Therefore Ethionamide is always given in combination with other antituberculosis drug.
Indication of Ethionamide
Ethionamide is primarily indicated in conditions like Prophylaxis of acid aspiration in obstetric patients, Tuberculosis, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Multibacillary leprosy.
Contraindication of Ethionamide
Ethionamide is contraindicated in conditions like Hepatic damage,Chronic resistant vaginal candidiasis.
Side Effects of Ethionamide
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Ethionamide, which give rise to further complications include Encephalopathy, Convulsions, Hepatotoxicity, Hepatitis, Hypersensitivity reactions, Anxiety, Optic neuritis, Depression, Hepatotoxicity, Acute psychosis, Optic neuritis.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Ethionamide are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Dizziness, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Alopecia, Anorexia, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Stomatitis, Jaundice, Skin rash, Impotence, Hypotension, Taste disturbance, Acne, Gynecomastia, Salivation, Menstrual irregularity, Deafness, Purpura, Menorrhagia, Hypoglycemia, Goiter, Alopecia, dizziness, parasthesia.
Precautions of Ethionamide
Ethionamide should be used with caution in patients with any allergy (especially drug allergy), liver disease or diabetes. Limit alcohol intake since alcohol can increase the drowsiness effect of this medication and also affect the liver. It should be used with caution when performing activities requiring alertness. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy or lactation.