Isoniazid+pyridoxine
About Isoniazid+pyridoxine
Isoniazid+pyridoxine is a prescription medicine used to treat active tuberculosis (TB) infections and to prevent latent tuberculosis infection from becoming active disease. It contains isoniazid, an antibiotic that kills tuberculosis bacteria, and pyridoxine (vitamin B6), which helps reduce the risk of nerve damage that can occur during isoniazid treatment. When taken exactly as prescribed, this medicine helps eliminate tuberculosis bacteria from your body while supporting nerve health during treatment.
You must take Isoniazid+pyridoxine consistently every day for the full duration prescribed by your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. It is best taken on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, with a full glass of water because food can reduce the absorption of isoniazid. Eating a balanced diet, getting enough rest, and attending all follow-up appointments can help support your recovery throughout tuberculosis treatment.
While taking this medicine, you may experience mild side effects such as nausea, stomach upset, or a temporary loss of appetite. However, contact your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms that may suggest liver damage, such as yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, persistent nausea, severe stomach pain, or unusual tiredness. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and advise whether your treatment needs to be changed.
Do not take this medicine if you have previously had a severe allergic reaction to isoniazid or have severe liver disease related to previous isoniazid treatment. Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, diabetes, liver problems, nerve disorders, HIV infection, or a history of regular alcohol consumption, as these conditions may require closer monitoring during treatment.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines, vitamins, herbal products, and supplements you are taking before starting treatment. Alcohol significantly increases the risk of liver damage and should be avoided throughout treatment. Some foods that contain large amounts of tyramine or histamine, such as aged cheeses, yeast extracts, cured meats, soy sauce, and certain fish, may occasionally cause flushing, headache, or a faster heartbeat in some people taking isoniazid, although this reaction is generally milder than with medicines known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, an older adult, or have any long-term medical condition, discuss the benefits and risks of treatment with your doctor.
Uses of Isoniazid+pyridoxine
Medicinal Benefits
Isoniazid+pyridoxine helps treat and prevent tuberculosis while reducing the risk of certain treatment-related complications.
- Helps eliminate tuberculosis bacteria: Works as part of combination therapy to treat active tuberculosis and reduce the spread of infection.
- Helps prevent latent tuberculosis from becoming active: Reduces the risk that inactive tuberculosis bacteria will develop into active disease.
- Helps protect nerve health: Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) helps reduce the risk of nerve damage, tingling, numbness, and burning sensations that may occur during isoniazid treatment.
Directions for Use
- Isoniazid+pyridoxine should be taken after meals.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow Isoniazid+pyridoxine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Isoniazid+pyridoxine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Nausea or stomach upset
- Loss of appetite
- Mild dizziness on standing up
- Mild numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, persistent nausea or vomiting, severe tiredness, or pain in the upper right side of the abdomen
- Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing (severe allergic reaction)
- Blurred vision, eye pain, or changes in eyesight (Vision problems)
- Confusion, unusual behaviour, memory problems, or severe mood changes.
- Seizures
Drug Warnings
- Check the packaging before use: Do not take the tablets if the blister pack is damaged or the tablets appear discoloured.
- Watch for early signs of liver problems: Unexplained tiredness, poor appetite, nausea, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes should be reported to your doctor immediately.
- Do not stop treatment on your own: If you develop symptoms that may suggest liver problems or other serious side effects, contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor will decide whether treatment should be stopped or changed.
- Do not share your medicine: This medicine has been prescribed specifically for your condition and should not be given to anyone else.
- Inform healthcare professionals: Tell your doctor, dentist, pharmacist, or laboratory staff that you are taking Isoniazid+pyridoxine before any medical tests, surgery, or dental procedures, as it may affect certain laboratory test results.
Drug Interactions
- Anti-seizure medicines (e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine): Isoniazid+pyridoxine may increase the levels of these medicines in your blood, increasing the risk of side effects.
- Blood thinners (e.g. warfarin): This medicine may increase the effect of blood-thinning medicines and raise the risk of bleeding.
- Antacids containing aluminium: These medicines can reduce the absorption of isoniazid. Take Isoniazid+pyridoxine at least 1 to 2 hours before taking an aluminium-containing antacid.
- Paracetamol: Taking these medicines together may increase the risk of liver problems, especially with prolonged use or high doses.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeRefrain from alcohol consumption while taking Isoniazid+pyridoxine, as it could lead to increased drowsiness, dizziness, and liver damage.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor if you are pregnant. Your doctor will prescribe Isoniazid+pyridoxine only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorConsult your doctor if you are a breastfeeding mother. Your doctor will prescribe Isoniazid+pyridoxine only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionIsoniazid+pyridoxine may cause dizziness, blurred vision, drowsiness, numbness, and tingling sensation in hands and feet. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience these symptoms.
Liver
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor before taking Isoniazid+pyridoxine if you have liver impairment/liver disease.
Kidney
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this or if you have kidney impairment/kidney disease before taking Isoniazid+pyridoxine.
Children
cautionIsoniazid+pyridoxine can be used in children when prescribed by a doctor, who will determine the appropriate dose based on the child’s age and weight.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid alcohol completely: Drinking alcohol while taking this medicine greatly increases the risk of liver damage and should be avoided throughout treatment.
- Limit foods rich in tyramine and histamine: Foods such as aged cheeses, yeast extracts, soy sauce, cured meats, and certain fish may occasionally cause flushing, headache, or a faster heartbeat in some people taking isoniazid. These reactions are generally milder than those seen with medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
- Eat a balanced, nutritious diet: Include adequate protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to help support your immune system and overall recovery.
- Keep all medical appointments: Regular doctor visits and blood tests help monitor your liver function and ensure the treatment is working safely.
- Take your medicine every day: Missing doses can reduce the effectiveness of treatment and increase the risk of drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Special Advise
Your doctor may advise you to take regular liver tests while taking Isoniazid+pyridoxine to check how your liver functions.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Tuberculosis (TB): Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that affects the lungs, but it can also spread to other body parts such as the kidneys, brain, spine, and bone marrow. Tuberculosis is caused by a bacteria named Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a contagious disease that can spread to others through small droplets released into the air by a person suffering from tuberculosis. Symptoms include a cough that lasts for a few weeks, pain while coughing or with normal breathing, unexplained fatigue, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, and weight loss. People who smoke or consume alcohol, people diagnosed with HIV, and people with immune system problems are more likely at risk of developing active TB.
FAQs
Isoniazid+pyridoxine is used to treat tuberculosis (TB).
Isoniazid+pyridoxine is a combination of two drugs, namely isoniazid and pyridoxine (vitamin B6). Isoniazid works by eliminating the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis (TB). Additionally, vitamin B6 helps treat nerve damage (neuritis) caused by TB medications like isoniazid.
Do not stop taking Isoniazid+pyridoxine despite symptomatic relief. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Isoniazid+pyridoxine for as long as it has been prescribed for you.
An overdose of Isoniazid+pyridoxine may lead to nausea, vomiting, dizziness, slurred speech, blurred vision, and visual hallucinations (including bright colours and strange designs). In some cases, overdose can lead to coma and seizures.
Isoniazid+pyridoxine contains isoniazid, which might interact with foods and drinks containing histamine or tyramine, such as cured meat, matured cheese, soy, tuna, salmon, mackerel, wine, and beer. Avoid these foods while taking Isoniazid+pyridoxine.
You are recommended to avoid alcohol while taking Isoniazid+pyridoxine to reduce unwanted side effects and excessive drowsiness. Please consult the doctor if you have any concerns.
Store Isoniazid+pyridoxine at room temperature. Keep out of reach and sight of children.
Isoniazid+pyridoxine is effective when taken as per the dose advised by your doctor for the recommended duration. Even if you start feeling better, do not stop the treatment early. Stopping it early may cause the symptoms to return or worsen.
Isoniazid+pyridoxine causes side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, constipation, stomach upset/pain, dry mouth, ringing in the ears, and dizziness. Most of these side effects do not require any medical attention as they will gradually reduce over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Isoniazid+pyridoxine is best taken on an empty stomach, ideally 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, because food can reduce the absorption of isoniazid. If stomach upset becomes troublesome, speak with your doctor before changing how you take the medicine.
Isoniazid can lower vitamin B6 levels in the body, which may increase the risk of nerve damage causing tingling, numbness, or burning sensations in the hands and feet. Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is included to help reduce this risk during tuberculosis treatment. Tell your doctor if you continue to experience these symptoms.
Yellowing of the skin or eyes may be a sign of liver damage. Contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care without delay. Your doctor will assess your condition and advise whether your treatment needs to be stopped or changed.
Yes, but aluminium-containing antacids can reduce the absorption of isoniazid. Take Isoniazid+pyridoxine at least 1 to 2 hours before taking an aluminium-containing antacid. If you are unsure how to schedule your medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding, discuss the benefits and risks of treatment with your doctor. Your doctor will decide whether this medicine is appropriate based on your individual circumstances.
Yes. Isoniazid can sometimes affect the nerves and cause tingling, burning, or numbness in the hands and feet. Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is included in this medicine to help reduce this risk. If you develop these symptoms or notice they are getting worse, contact your doctor for further assessment.
