Ethide

Composition of Ethide

Ethide contains ETHIONAMIDE-250MG. It belongs to the Anti-tuberculosis agent class of medicines.

Uses of Ethide

This medicine is used in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Key benefits

• Cures tuberculosis when the full course is completed
• Provided free through the national programme

How Ethide works

Ethionamide kills the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, over a course lasting several months.

How to take Ethide

Use this medicine as your doctor has directed. Follow the dose and the duration written on your prescription.

Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Do not change the dose or stop early on your own.

Missed dose and overdose

If you miss a dose

Take it as soon as you remember. If your next dose is almost due, skip the one you missed — never take two doses together to catch up.

If you take too much

An overdose of this medicine can cause severe liver injury, confusion and fits. Do not wait for symptoms to appear — go to the nearest emergency department and take the pack or strip with you.

Side effects of Ethide

Most side effects of Ethide are mild and settle as the body adjusts. Reported side effects include:

• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Orange-red urine
• sweat and tears
• Joint pain
• Tingling in the hands and feet
• Raised liver enzymes

Stop the medicine and seek help immediately for a rash, swelling of the face or lips, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Tell your doctor about any side effect that persists or worries you.

Safety advice for Ethide

Warnings and precautions

TB treatment must be taken every day for the whole course, usually six months or more. Stopping early is the main cause of drug-resistant TB, which is far harder to treat. Rifampicin turns urine, sweat and tears orange-red. This is harmless, but it permanently stains soft contact lenses. Report yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, persistent vomiting or severe tiredness at once — the liver needs checking. Report any change in vision, including colour vision, immediately if you are on ethambutol. Rifampicin makes hormonal contraception unreliable. Use an additional method throughout and for a period after the course.

Do not take Ethide if

Not for anyone with a known allergy to this medicine or to any ingredient in the pack. Your doctor will adjust or change the regimen in significant liver disease.

Interactions with other medicines

Rifampicin reduces the effect of a very large number of medicines, including contraceptives, blood thinners, steroids, some heart and HIV medicines. Vitamin B6 is usually given alongside isoniazid to prevent nerve damage — take it as prescribed.

How to store Ethide

Store below 30°C in the original pack, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Expert advice for Ethide

Take the whole regimen at the same time each day, usually on an empty stomach. Keep every follow-up and sputum test appointment. Tell your treatment supporter or health worker about any side effect rather than stopping on your own.

Manufacturer and class

Manufacturer:

LUPIN LAB

Therapeutic class:

Anti-tubercular

Drug class:

Anti-tuberculosis agent