Trecator (ethionamide)

Beginning in 2005, ethionamide became commercially available in the US as film-coated tablets (Trecator(R)), instead of the previously available sugar-coated tablets (Trecator(R)-SC). The film-coated tablets are more rapidly absorbed than the sugar-coated tablets and may provide higher peak ethionamide concentrations (see Pharmacokinetics: Absorption) which potentially could lead to patient intolerance if introduced at the same initial dosage as the previously available formulation. Therefore, when switching from the sugar-coated tablets to the film-coated tablets, patients should be monitored and have their dosages retitrated to optimal dosage based on tolerance.

Although some clinicians state that dosage adjustments are not necessary in patients with renal impairment, others state that ethionamide dosage should be reduced to 250-500 mg daily in patients with creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/minute and in those undergoing hemodialysis.

Ethionamide is administered orally without regard to meals.

Ethionamide usually is administered once daily, but may be given in divided doses if GI intolerance occurs. If ethionamide is given as a single daily dose, the dose should be given at the time of day that the patient finds most suitable in order to avoid or minimize GI intolerance, which usually is at mealtimes. (See Cautions: GI Effects.) Patients should be encouraged to persevere with the ethionamide regimen if GI effects occur, since these effects may diminish in severity as treatment proceeds.

No dosing information is available for this tab.

No dosing information is available for this tab.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.

There are no severe interactions for this drug.

There are no moderate interactions for this drug.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.

There are no severe contraindications for this drug.

There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.

There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.

No enhanced messaging available.

No enhanced messaging available.

Safe use of ethionamide during pregnancy has not been established. The drug has caused teratogenic effects in rabbits and rats when administered in high doses. There are no adequate and controlled studies to date using ethionamide in pregnant women, and the manufacturer states that the drug should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant unless the clinician considers the drug essential to treatment. The American Thoracic Society (ATS), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) state that ethionamide should not be used during pregnancy because it crosses the placenta and is teratogenic in animals.

The effect of ethionamide on labor and delivery in pregnant women is unknown.

Because it is not known whether ethionamide is distributed into human milk, the drug should be administered to nursing mothers only if the benefits of therapy outweigh the potential risks to the infant. The manufacturer states that if ethionamide is administered during breastfeeding, the infant should be monitored for adverse effects.

No enhanced messaging available.