Pyrazinamide is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.

Pyrazinamide is used to treat tuberculosis (TB) in adults and children.

Pyrazinamide must be used with other TB medicines. Tuberculosis can become resistant to treatment if pyrazinamide is used alone. Take all your medicines as prescribed by your doctor.

Pyrazinamide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use pyrazinamide if you have active gout or severe liver disease.

Pyrazinamide comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day (at the same time each day) or in larger doses twice a week. Pyrazinamide may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your pharmacist or doctor to explain any part you do not understand. Take pyrazinamide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Tuberculosis must be treated over a long period of time (up to 6 months or longer).

Pyrazinamide is given in combination with other medications and should not be used alone. You may need to take pyrazinamide for only the first 2 months of your full course of treatment.

Pyrazinamide is usually taken once per day. However, some people take the medicine only 2 times per week.

Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Pyrazinamide will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Tell your doctor if you have any changes in weight. Pyrazinamide doses are based on weight (especially in children), and any changes may affect the dose.

This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using pyrazinamide.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

You should not use pyrazinamide if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• active gout; or

• severe liver disease.

To make sure pyrazinamide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• HIV or AIDS;

• gout;

• liver disease;

• diabetes; or

• if you drink large amounts of alcohol.

Your doctor will check your liver enzymes and uric acid levels before you start treatment, to make sure you can safely take pyrazinamide.

It is not known whether pyrazinamide will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using pyrazinamide.

Pyrazinamide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Pyrazinamide may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• fever;

• joint pain or swelling;

• easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);

• gout flare-up symptoms--joint pain, stiffness, redness, or swelling (especially at night); or

• liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of pyrazinamide may include:

• joint or muscle pain;

• nausea, vomiting; or

• loss of appetite.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Other drugs may interact with pyrazinamide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to pyrazinamide.

If you have diabetes, pyrazinamide may interfere with urine ketone tests. If you use urine ketone tests, check with your doctor about using other types of tests while taking pyrazinamide.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

• Rifater® (containing Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Rifampin)