Pyrazinamide for treatment of tuberculosis

This leaflet is about the use of pyrazinamide for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB for short). Your child will have to take up to four medicines for at least 6 months to cure their TB.

Information Standard quality markThis leaflet has been written specifically about the use of this medicine in children. The information may differ from that provided by the manufacturer. Please read this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it again.

It is essential that your child takes all their medicines daily, as explained by the doctor, and continues until the doctor tells you to stop.

Name of drug

Pyrazinamide

Why is it important for my child to take this medicine?

The bacteria that cause TB are hard to kill. Your child will have to take up to four medicines for at least 6 months. Pyrazinamide is one of these key medicines. It is given for the first 2 months of treatment.

Your child should start to feel better and may not have any symptoms of TB soon after starting treatment. However, it is vital that you continue to give the medicines until your doctor tells you to stop. If you stop too soon, or your child does not take the medicines as your doctor has told you to, the bacteria may not be killed and the TB may come back. It is also possible that the bacteria will become resistant to the first drugs, which means that they will no longer work. This may mean that other stronger drugs will have to be used, or the TB may no longer be treatable.

What is pyrazinamide available as?

  • Tablets: 400 mg, 500 mg
  • Liquid medicine can be ordered specially from your pharmacist

When should I give pyrazinamide?

Pyrazinamide (along with other TB drugs) is usually given once each day, this is usually in the morning. Give the medicine at about the same time each day so that this becomes part of your child’s daily routine, which will help you to remember.

How much should I give?

Your doctor will work out the amount of pyrazinamide (the dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label.

It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to give.

How should I give pyrazinamide?

Pyrazinamide for tuberculosisTablets should be swallowed with a glass of water, milk or juice. Your child should not chew the tablets. You can crush the tablet and mix it with a small amount of soft food such as yogurt, honey or jam. Make sure your child swallows it all straight away, without chewing.

pyrazinamide for tuberculosisLiquid medicine: Measure out the right amount using a medicine spoon or oral syringe. You can get these from your pharmacist. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.

 

When should the medicine start working?

Your child should start to feel better and have fewer symptoms after taking the TB medicines for about 2 weeks. However, they MUST continue to take the medicine every day until the doctor says to stop treatment. This will be for 2 months for pyrazinamide and at least 6 months for the other medicines.

What if my child is sick (vomits)?

  • If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after having a dose of pyrazinamide, give them the same dose again.
  • If your child is sick more than 30 minutes after having a dose of pyrazinamide, you do not need to give them another dose. Wait until the next normal dose.

What if I forget to give it?

If you forget to give your child a dose, give it as soon as possible on the same day. This should be at least 12 hours before the next dose is due.

What if I give too much?

If you think you may have given your child too much pyrazinamide, contact your doctor or NHS Direct (0845 4647 in England and Wales; 08454 24 24 24 in Scotland). Have the medicine packet with you if you telephone for
advice.

Are there any possible side-effects?

We use medicines to make our children better, but sometimes they have other effects that we don’t want (side-effects).


Side effects you must do something about

If your child has swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing or gets a skin rash or itching or fever, take them to your doctor or hospital straight away, as they may be allergic to pyrazinamide.

If your child feels sick or is sick (vomits) for more than 24 hours, or their skin or eyes gets a yellow tinge, or their urine (wee) is dark, contact your doctor straight away, as there may be a problem with your child’s liver.
Do not give any more pyrazinamide.

If your child seems tired or short of breath or they seem to bruise more easily or bleeding doesn’t stop as quickly as you would expect, contact your doctor straight away, as there may be a problem with your child’s blood.

If your child develops pain or swelling in their joints, or they have difficulty or pain during urination (doing a wee), contact your doctor straight away.

Other side-effects you need to know about.

  • Your child’s skin may become sensitive to sunlight (photosensitivity) and they are more likely to get sunburn. They should avoid strong sunlight and should cover their skin, wear a sunhat and use high-factor sunscreen when outside.
  • Your child may get an upset stomach or cramps when they first start taking pyrazinamide. Giving each dose with some food may help. They may also lose their appetite (feel less hungry). If this is still a problem after a week, contact your doctor.
  • Your child may get headaches, feel dizzy or agitated or have trouble sleeping. If this is a problem, contact your doctor.

Can other medicines be given at the same time as pyrazinamide?

  • You can give your child medicines that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.
  • Pyrazinamide should not be taken with some medicines that you get on prescription. Tell your doctor about all medicines your child is taking before starting pyrazinamide.
  • Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any other medicines to your child. This includes herbal or complementary medicines.

Is there anything else I need to know about this medicine?

  • Children with porphyria should not take pyrazinamide. If your child has porphyria, or you have a family history of the condition, tell your doctor.
  • Your doctor will take blood samples before your child starts pyrazinamide and while they are taking it. This is to make sure that their liver is working properly, and that pyrazinamide has not affected it.

Keep all your clinic appointments, as your doctor or nurse needs to check how your child is doing.

General advice about medicines

  • Give medicines at about the same times each day, to help you remember.
  • Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the same, as this could do harm.
  • If you think someone else may have taken the medicine by accident, contact your doctor for advice.
  • Make sure that you always have enough medicine. Order a new prescription at least 2 weeks before you will run out.
  • Make sure that the medicine you have at home has not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.

Where I should keep this medicine?

  • Keep the medicines in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight. It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
  • Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
  • Keep the medicine in the container it came in.

Who to contact for more information

Your child’s doctor and pharmacist will be able to give you more information about pizotifen and about other medicines used to treat or prevent migraine headaches.


You can also get useful information from:


Publication Date

8/12/2011

Copyright Disclaimer

Version 1.2, March 2011 (November 2011). © NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild 2011, all rights reserved. Reviewed by: March 2013.
The primary source for the information in this leaflet is the British National Formulary for Children. For details on any other sources used for this leaflet, please contact us through our website, www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk
We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients. It is important that you ask the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about something. This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply to other countries. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG), WellChild and the contributors and editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions that may be taken as a consequence of reading this leaflet.