Isoniazid

Isoniazid is a type of drug that stops bacteria from infecting organs in your body.  It is a prescription-only medicine.

Isoniazid is used alone or with other medicines to treat infections caused by bacteria. Your healthcare provider may give you Isoniazid:

• If you have an active tuberculosis (TB) infection.
• If you do not show signs of TB infection but you tested positive for a TB skin test.

Isoniazid is an antibiotic drug that treats tuberculosis and can be used to prevent active infection in people who have had a positive skin test (mantoux test) for tuberculosis. This medicine treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for infections caused by viruses such as the common cold or flu.

Isoniazid is a prescription-only medicine. If you reacted to this medicine before, do not take it because it may trigger an allergic reaction.

Isoniazid is taken by mouth on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals) as advised by your doctor.

• If your child is using isoniazid in a liquid form, carefully measure the dose using the measuring device/spoon that comes with the medicine. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct amount.
• If you take antacids that contain aluminium, take this medication at least 1 hour before the antacid.
• If you are taking this medication daily, for the best effect, take it at the same time each day.
• If you are taking this medication on a weekly schedule, take it on the same day(s) of the week and at the same time each day.
• Finish your dose and use it exactly as your doctor suggests. Stopping it too early or skipping doses may allow the bacteria to continue to grow, resulting in the return of a stronger infection.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because they consider that the benefit to you is greater than the risks of side-effects. Most people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Inform your doctor if any of these effects persist or worsen:

• Nausea/vomiting or stomach upset.
• Numbness/tingling in your arms or legs.
• Painful/swollen joints.
• Increased thirst/urination.
• Vision changes, such as blurry eyesight.
• Easy bruising/bleeding.
• Mental/mood changes, such as confusion, psychosis.
• Seizures.

Before taking isoniazid, you must inform your healthcare provider if you have any disease.

• Do not take isoniazid if you have had an allergy (like a rash, itch, or swelling) to isoniazid or any of its components.
• Inform your doctor if you are HIV positive.
• Do not take any prescription or over-the-counter medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products without informing your healthcare provider.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages while using this medication.
• This product may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as the BCG vaccine) not to work well. Therefore, do not take any immunizations/vaccinations while using this medication without your doctor's consent.
• If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.