Prothionamide
About Prothionamide
Prothionamide is a prescription medicine used to treat tuberculosis (TB), a serious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs. It is typically prescribed as part of a combination therapy with other medicines to ensure the infection is completely cleared. This medicine is especially important for treating infections that have become resistant to standard first-line therapies.
To get the best results, you must take Prothionamide consistently every single day exactly as your healthcare provider instructs. You can take this medicine with or after meals to help prevent an upset stomach. Eating a highly nutritious, protein-rich diet can also help your body heal and regain strength during your treatment.
While taking Prothionamide, you may experience some mild side effects such as nausea, a metallic taste in your mouth, or a loss of appetite. However, you should contact your doctor immediately if you notice serious signs like yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, severe stomach pain, or persistent tingling in your hands and feet.
Before starting this medication, tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease, kidney problems, diabetes, or mental health conditions like depression. Do not take this if you have severe liver damage, as this medication can place extra strain on your liver.
This medicine can interact with alcohol, which significantly increases your risk of liver damage and severe dizziness, so you should avoid drinking alcohol during treatment. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an elderly individual, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Prothionamide to ensure it is safe for you.
Uses of Prothionamide
Medicinal Benefits
Prothionamide helps treat tuberculosis by eliminating the bacteria responsible for the infection, allowing your body to recover and preventing the disease from spreading. With regular use as prescribed, it relieves symptoms, promotes healing, and supports long-term recovery.
- Treats Tuberculosis Infection: By targeting and eliminating the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, this medicine helps clear the infection and supports healing of the lungs and other affected organs.
- Relieves Tuberculosis Symptoms: As the infection improves, this medicine helps reduce symptoms such as a persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss, allowing you to gradually regain your strength and energy.
- Helps Prevent the Spread of Tuberculosis: Completing the full course of treatment helps prevent the infection from spreading to others while reducing the risk of treatment failure and recurrence.
Directions for Use
- Prothionamide should be taken after meals to avoid stomach upset.
- It is usually taken once daily or as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow Prothionamide as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Prothionamide
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Nausea, vomiting, or mild stomach discomfort
- Loss of appetite or a metallic taste in the mouth
- Excessive salivation or dry mouth
- Mild dizziness or feeling tired
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, or severe upper stomach pain
- Numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation in your hands or feet
- Severe mood changes, feelings of depression, or confusion
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including skin rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, or throat
- Changes in your vision or blurred vision
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Attend all laboratory appointments: You will need regular blood tests while taking Prothionamide so your doctor can monitor your liver function and ensure it is safe to continue treatment.
- Finish the entire prescription: Never stop taking this medicine early, even if your symptoms improve. Stopping early can cause the tuberculosis bacteria to return and become resistant to treatments.
- Check your tablets before use: Inspect your tablets before taking them; do not use them if they are discoloured, crumbled, or show signs of moisture damage.
- Monitor your mental health: Alert a family member or friend that you are taking this medicine, as it can occasionally cause sudden mood shifts or depression.
- Be cautious when driving: This medication can cause dizziness or drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.
Drug Interactions
- Other tuberculosis medications: Taking this alongside certain other TB drugs (like isoniazid or rifampicin) may increase the risk of liver damage.
- Seizure medications: It may alter the levels of certain anti-seizure drugs in your blood, requiring dose adjustments.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionConsuming alcohol along with Prothionamide is not advisable as it may cause unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult the doctor. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies on pregnant women. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult the doctor. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies on pregnant women. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionPatients who experience dizziness or lightheadedness while receiving Prothionamide should refrain from operating machinery.
Liver
cautionThere is limited information available on the use of Prothionamide in patients with liver disease. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing them to you. Please consult your doctor.
Kidney
cautionThere is limited information available on the use of Prothionamide in patients with Kidney disease. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing them to you. Please consult your doctor.
Children
cautionProthionamide is not recommended for children below 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a nutrient-rich diet: Tuberculosis can cause significant weight loss and muscle wasting. Focus on eating high-calorie, protein-rich foods like lean meats, beans, eggs, and dairy to help your body rebuild and recover.
- Avoid alcohol completely: Since Prothionamide is processed by the liver, drinking alcohol highly increases your risk of developing severe liver damage.
- Ask about Vitamin B6: Talk to your doctor about taking a Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplement, as this can help prevent nerve tingling or numbness in your limbs during treatment.
- Stay well-hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support your kidneys and overall metabolic function.
- Get plenty of rest: Your body requires extra energy to fight a tuberculosis infection. Ensure you get adequate sleep and avoid overexertion.
Special Advise
Your doctor may advise you to get regular liver tests while taking Prothionamide to check how your liver functions.
You may need frequent blood tests to check your liver and thyroid function. You may also need frequent eye exams.
If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar levels carefully while on this medication.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Tuberculosis (TB): Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that affects the lungs, but it could 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. People who smoke or consume alcohol, people diagnosed with HIV, and immune system problems are more likely at risk of developing active TB.
FAQs
Prothionamide is used to treat Tuberculosis (TB).
Prothionamide consists of medicine called Prothionamide. Prothionamide is clinically effective in treating TB; the precise mechanisms of action remain unknown, but a cell-based activation method causes an inhibiting complex.
No, please do not stop taking Prothionamide even if you feel better as it may worsen your condition. For the best advice, consult your doctor and do as recommended.
No, it is a prescribed drug given by a physician for preventing specific medical conditions. Taking it on your own can cause unwanted side effects.
You can take Prothionamide with or without food. However, if you find that it upsets your stomach or causes nausea, taking it with or immediately after a meal can help reduce these side effects. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for personalised advice.
Yes, this medicine can sometimes affect your nerves, leading to numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation in your hands and feet. Your doctor may prescribe a Vitamin B6 supplement to help prevent this. If you experience these symptoms, talk to your doctor.
No, you should avoid alcohol completely while taking Prothionamide. Both alcohol and this medicine place stress on your liver, and combining them significantly increases your risk of serious liver damage. Talk to your doctor if you find this difficult.
Yes, Prothionamide has the potential to cause liver damage. Your healthcare provider will schedule regular blood tests to monitor your liver function throughout your treatment. If you notice yellowing of your eyes or skin, dark urine, or severe stomach pain, seek medical help immediately. Talk to your doctor.
Nausea is a common side effect of this medicine. Try taking your dose with food or ask your doctor about splitting doses. If the nausea is severe, prevents you from keeping food down, or does not improve, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Prothionamide is generally only prescribed during pregnancy if the potential benefits outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor to weigh your treatment options safely.
Yes, it is often used alongside other TB medications, but some combinations can increase the risk of side effects like liver damage. Your doctor will carefully select your combination of medicines to ensure they are safe to use together. Talk to your doctor.

