Ethide Tablet
Ethionamide (250mg)
by Lupin Ltd
Schedule H1 drug. Sold only against a valid prescription; the sale is recorded in a register retained for three years.
About this medicine
Ethide Tablet is an antibiotic that belongs to a class of medicines known as anti tuberculosis drugs. It is used in the treatment and prevention of tuberculosis, an infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs and in some cases other parts of the body. Ethide Tablet is usually given in combination with at least one other tuberculosis medicine. It is used in cases where bacteria have developed resistance to other antibacterial medicines. It should be used in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. This medicine may be taken with or without food, preferably at the same time every day. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping it early can result in treatment failure and in the development of drug-resistant tuberculosis. This can lead to serious health complications. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose, as it may increase the side effects. Some people may experience loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, gastric irritation (inflammation of the stomach lining) and sudden lowering of blood pressure on standing (orthostatic hypotension), as side effects of this medicine. Please consult your doctor if these side effects worry you or do not get better. Inform your doctor if you have diabetes as it can lower the sugar levels in the blood. If you are diabetic, you should monitor your blood sugar regularly. Your doctor may monitor your liver function, vision, and thyroid function while on treatment with this medicine. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before using this medicine.
Uses
- Tuberculosis (TB)
Benefits
In Tuberculosis (TB) Ethide Tablet is used to treat tuberculosis, an infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs but can affect other parts of the body as well. It stops the growth of infection causing bacteria and helps in treating the infection. Take it in the dose and duration advised by the doctor. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cured. Do not stop taking it without consulting your doctor as doing so may cause the infection to return or worsen. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to get maximum benefit.
How it works
Ethide Tablet is an antibiotic. It works by slowing the growth of bacteria that causes tuberculosis.
How to use
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Ethide Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
Common side effects
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Gastric irritation
- Orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering of blood pressure on standing)
- Weakness
- Depression
- Sleepiness
Safety advice
- AlcoholUNSAFE
- It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Ethide Tablet.
- PregnancyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
- Ethide Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
- Breast feedingCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
- Ethide Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
- DrivingUNSAFE
- Ethide Tablet may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive. Ethide Tablet may cause side effects such as drowsiness or a headache, that can impair your ability to drive.
- KidneySAFE IF PRESCRIBED
- Ethide Tablet is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Ethide Tablet may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor. Dose adjustment may be needed in patients with end stage kidney disease.
- LiverCAUTION
- Ethide Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Ethide Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Use of Ethide Tablet is not recommended in patients with the severe liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose of Ethide Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Quick facts
- Chemical Class
- Nicotinic acid derivatives
- Habit Forming
- No
- Therapeutic Class
- Anti infectives
- Action Class
- Mycobacterial cell wall inhibitors-Ethambutol
Frequently asked questions
What is Ethide Tablet? What is it used for?
Ethide Tablet is an antibiotic. It is used as a second-line medicine in combination with other anti-tuberculosis medicines for the treatment of all forms of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Why is Ethide Tablet called a second line drug?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a difficult infection to treat and when it is detected for the first time, first-line drugs are used. Generally, the appropriate use of first-line drugs (e.g. isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, and streptomycin) can effectively cure TB. But, if the patient does not respond to first-line medicines, then second-line medicines (e.g. Ethide Tablet, kanamycin, ciprofloxacin, etc.) are used. Second-line medicines have more side effects and are the second choice in terms of effectiveness.
Are there any precautions that I should take while taking Ethide Tablet so that I respond to the treatment?
It is very important that you take the medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Your doctor will prescribe at least two more medicines to be taken with Ethide Tablet. Take all the prescribed medicines as per the instructions and do not miss or stop the treatment on your own. Missing doses and stopping the treatment without consulting the doctor are the major causes of treatment failure and drug resistance (not responding to the medication).
For how long do I need to take Ethide Tablet?
Your doctor will decide the duration of your treatment depending upon your response to the treatment. The doctor will observe your maximum improvement by evaluating you clinically as well as your blood tests.
Why has my doctor asked me to get blood tests done regularly?
The blood tests are done to check if your liver is functioning properly or not, since Ethide Tablet may affect your liver. Ethide Tablet can also alter your blood glucose levels and thyroid hormone levels. Therefore, monitoring is required.
What are the symptoms which are suggestive of liver toxicity caused by Ethide Tablet?
If you develop symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eye white), dark urine, discolored stools, pain and tenderness in the upper right abdomen, inform your doctor immediately. These could be the signs of liver toxicity.
Is it necessary to take pyridoxine with Ethide Tablet?
Pyridoxine is vitamin B6 that helps to prevent nerve damage, which may occur with the use of Ethide Tablet. The symptoms of nerve damage are numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet.
My friend is taking Ethide Tablet and other medicines for TB. I have noticed that sometimes she acts very aggressively. Is it because of the disease or the treatment?
These changes could be due to Ethide Tablet or other medicines that she is taking for TB. Ethide Tablet may cause depression, confusion, aggression, abnormal thinking, and even hallucinations. You should speak to her family or doctor and help her out.
Product details
- Manufacturer
- Lupin Ltd
- Salt composition
- Ethionamide (250mg)
- Dosage form
- Tablet
- Storage
- Store below 30°C
The content above is for information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a registered medical practitioner before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.