Pyrazinamide

• Antituberculosis agent, used in combination with other antituberculosis agents.

• Bactericidal for intracellular organisms.

• Excellent oral bioavailability.

• Excellent  CSF penetration.
• Adult dose – under 50kg 1.5g od: over 50kg 2g od.
• Pyrazinamide is available in the combination agent Rifater. This contains isoniazid 50mg, rifampicin 120mg and pyrazinamide 300mg per tablet. Doses are available in the BNF but it is only suitable for the 2-month initial phase of tuberculosis treatment.
• No dosage adjustment  necessary in  renal impairment.

• Check liver function tests prior to starting therapy. Monitor LFTs and withdraw the drug if clinically significant changes in liver function during therapy (see BTS guidelines ).

Main indications:

• Mycobacterial disease as part of combination therapy.

Active against most strains of:

• Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Not active against most strains of:

• Mycobacterium bovis

• Non-mycobacterial bacteria

Page last edited: 19/03/2009

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

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