On this page
Last updated: June 2021
Therapeutic action
- First line antituberculosis antibacterial (sterilising and bactericidal activity)
Indications
- Tuberculosis, in combination with other antituberculosis antibacterials
Forms and strengths
- 400 mg tablet
- 150 mg dispersible tablet
Dosage
- Child under 30 kg: 35 mg/kg (30 to 40 mg/kg) once daily
- Child 30 kg and over and adult: 25 mg/kg (20 to 30 mg/kg) once daily
- Do not exceed 2 g daily.
- Patient with renal impairment: 25 mg/kg 3 times weekly
Duration
- According to protocol
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not administer to patients with hypersensitivity to pyrazinamide, severe hepatic impairment or severe gout.
- May cause: gout and arthralgias, hepatotoxicity, photosensitivity (limit sun exposure), rash, gastrointestinal disturbances, hypersensitivity reactions.
- Monitor liver function in patients with known hepatic disease.
- If signs of hepatotoxicity (e.g. jaundice) develop, pyrazinamide should be discontinued until symptoms resolve.
- Pregnancy: no contra-indication
- Breast-feeding: no contra-indication
Remarks
- For patients on first-line antituberculosis treatment, pyrazinamide is given as part of a fixed dose combination.