Combunex 800 (Isoniazid 300 mg + Ethambutol 800)
Combunex 800 (Isoniazid 300mg + Ethambutol 800mg) Isoniazid is used in the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis (TB -a serious infection caused by bacteria that affects the lungs and in certain cases other parts of the body). It is always given in combination with other antituberculosis drugs. Ethambutol is used in the prevention, treatment and recurrence (second time treatment) of tuberculosis.
What is isoniazid 300 mg + Ethambutol 800 used for?
Combunex 800 (Isoniazid) is used in the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis (TB -a serious infection caused by bacteria that affects the lungs and in certain cases other parts of the body). It is always given in combination with other antituberculosis drugs. Ethambutol is used in the prevention, treatment and recurrence (second time treatment) of tuberculosis (a serious infection caused by bacteria that affects the lungs and in certain cases other parts of the body). It is always given in combination with other antituberculosis drugs.
How to work Combunex 800?
Isoniazid 300 mg belongs to a class of antituberculosis drugs. It suppresses the growth of tuberculosis causing bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). It interferes with the formation of the outer protective covering (cell wall) of the bacteria by inhibiting the synthesis of a chemical called mycolic acid an essential component of cell wall.
Ethambutol belongs to a class of anti-tuberculosis drugs. It suppresses the growth of tuberculosis causing bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Ethambutol enters the growing bacteria and kills the bacteria by inhibiting an important enzyme arabinosyl tranferases involved in the formation of the outer protective covering of the bacteria called cell wall.
Combunex 800 Side Effects:
Toxic psychosis, Weakness, High blood sugar levels, Deficiency niacin., Anaemia, Nausea, Liver problems, Discomfort in the upper part of abdomen below the ribs, Abnormal brain function due to drug toxicity, Abnormal blood counts, Vomiting, Breast enlargement in men, Nerve problems in eyes, Constipation, Hypersensitivity reactions, Fits, Memory problems, Dry mouth, Numbness and pain in hands and feet, Severe skin reactions, Swelling of joints, Inflammation of pancreas
Abnormal liver function tests and very rarely liver failure., Numbness and tingling of hands and feet, Itching of skin, Nausea, Inflammation of liver, Vomiting, Skin rashes, Visual disturbances, Pale red raised itchy, High blood levels of uric acid, Loss of appetite, Color blindness, Abdominal pain and diarrhea, Eye pain), Numbness and pain in hands and feet due to nerve damage, Jaundice, Weaknes
Expert advice
- Do not take Combunex 800, if you have severe liver problems or if you have taken isoniazid in the past and it caused liver problems, fever, chills, joint pain, or severe allergic reaction.
- Contact your doctor immediately, if you experience symptoms such unusual tiredness (fatigue), weakness, feeling of discomfort (malaise), loss of appetite (anorexia), urge to vomit (nausea) or vomiting while taking isoniazid. It indicates that you are progressing towards liver damage.
- Do consult your doctor before taking Combunex 800 if you are aged above 35 years. The frequency of isoniazid related inflammation of liver (hepatitis) is higher in individuals older than 35 years of age. The doctor may advice measurement of blood levels of enzyme transferases before starting treatment with isoniazid.
- Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while you are taking isoniazid.
- Do consult your doctor before taking Combunex 800, if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
- Combunex 800 interacts with many drugs. Please inform your doctor about all the medication you are currently taking to avoid interactions that may reduce effectiveness of any treatment or aggravate side effects.
- Do not stop taking isoniazid without consulting your doctor.
- If you forget to take a dose of Isoniazid, take it as soon as you remember. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose.
FAQs
Q: Is Isoniazid an antibiotic?
A: Isoniazid is an antibiotic used in the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis or TB (a serious infection caused by bacteria that affects the lungs and in certain cases other parts of the body).
Q: What are the side effects of Isoniazid?
A: Common side effects of isoniazid include:
numbness and tingling in the extremities, hepatitis (symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, malaise, and weakness), nausea, vomiting, upset stomach,fever, or. rash.
Q: Is isoniazid safe?
A: Yes. Isoniazid is safe if used at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration as advised by your doctor.
Q: Is isoniazid an inducer or inhibitor?
A: Isoniazid is an inhibitor (decreases activity) of an important liver enzyme system that is responsible for the final processing and elimination of several drugs from the body.
Q: Is isoniazid bacteriostatic or bactericidal?
A: Isoniazid is a bacteriostatic antibiotic. It stops or suppresses growth of tuberculosis causing bacteria by interfering with the formation of protective outer covering (cell wall) which is essential for their growth.
Q: Does isoniazid affect birth control?
A: Isoniazid (Combunex 800) has no known interaction with commonly used oral contraceptives (birth control pills). However, multidrug treatment for tuberculosis contains active drug rifampin that decreases the effectiveness of oral contraceptives and hampers birth control.
Q: What does ethambutol treat?
A: Ethambutol is an antibiotic effective against tuberculosis causing bacteria. It is used in the prevention, treatment and second time treatment of tuberculosis (a serious infection caused by bacteria that affects the lungs and in certain cases other parts of the body).
Q: Is ethambutol hepatotoxic?
A: Liver toxicities are among the known side effects of ethambutol. Inflammation of liver (hepatitis), abnormal liver function causing yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice), abnormal liver function tests (blood tests to assess health of liver) and very rarely liver failure have been noted in patients receiving multi drug (including ethambutol) treatment for tuberculosis. Please contact your doctor before taking ethambutol if you have any liver problems.
Q: Is ethambutol toxicity reversible?
A: In most cases ethambutol toxicities are related to dose (depends upon the quantity of ethambutol you take) and duration of treatment and are reversible upon discontinuation. However, serious irreversible damage to eye and liver has been reported in rare cases.
Q: Is ethambutol chemotherapy?
A: Ethambutol is an antibiotic used in the treatment of tuberculosis. Do not confuse it with chemotherapy or chemo drugs used for the treatment of cancer.
Q: Ethambutol is effective against?
A: Combunex 800 (Ethambutol) is effective against most tuberculosis causing bacteria belonging to Mycobacterium family (M. tuberculosis, M. avium complex, M. kansasii, M. marinum).
