Isoniazid

Isoniazid is used alone or with other drugs to treat tuberculosis (TB) and to prevent it in people who have had contact with tuberculosis bacteria. It eliminates only active (growing) bacteria. Since the bacteria may exist in a resting (nongrowing) state for long periods, therapy with isoniazid (and other antituberculosis drugs) must be continued for a long time (usually 6-12 months). This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Isoniazid comes as a tablet, capsule, and a syrup to take by mouth. It is also available as an extended release tablet. It usually is taken once a day, on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. However, if isoniazid causes an upset stomach, it may be taken with food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take isoniazid exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Isoniazid may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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diarrhea</li>
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vision problems</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

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eye pain</li>
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numbness or tingling in the hands and feet</li>
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skin rash</li>
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fever</li>
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swollen glands</li>
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sore throat</li>
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unusual bleeding or bruising</li>
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stomach pains or tenderness</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking isoniazid, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to isoniazid or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially acetaminophen (Tylenol), antacids, carbamazepine (Tegretol), disulfiram (Antabuse), ketoconazole (Nizoral), phenytoin (Dilantin), theophylline (Theobid, Theo-Dur), valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote), and vitamins. in addition to the conditions listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease; diabetes; tingling, burning, and pain in the fingers or toes (peripheral neuropathy); or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). be aware that you should not drink alcoholic beverages while taking this drug.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.