Isoniazid: Uses, Side Effects & Brands in Pakistan
Isoniazid is an anti-tuberculosis medicine. It is a prescription medicine used for tuberculosis treatment and prevention. In Pakistan it is available as tablets and syrup, made by 9 different manufacturers. On this page you can read how it works, its common side effects and precautions, and compare the brands and prices available at Medimart.
How Isoniazid works
Isoniazid stops TB bacteria from making mycolic acids, the waxy building blocks of their tough cell wall. Without this wall the bacteria cannot survive. It kills actively dividing TB bacteria quickly, which helps reduce infectiousness early in treatment.
What is Isoniazid used for?
- Tuberculosis treatment and prevention
Isoniazid is one of the main medicines used to treat tuberculosis (TB). For active TB it is always given together with other anti-TB medicines, such as rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol, often in combined tablets. It is also given on its own, or with rifapentine or rifampicin, to prevent TB in people with latent infection or close contacts at high risk.
Side effects of Isoniazid
Most people complete treatment with Isoniazid without serious problems. More common effects include:
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach upset
- Raised liver enzymes on blood tests
- Skin rash
Report yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, loss of appetite, vomiting or severe tiredness at once, as these can be signs of liver damage.
Precautions and warnings
- Take it every day exactly as prescribed for the whole course, which lasts several months; stopping early can cause drug-resistant TB.
- Your doctor will check liver tests during treatment, and you should tell them if you have liver disease, kidney disease, epilepsy, HIV or diabetes.
- Avoid alcohol, as it increases the risk of liver damage.
- Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is often given with it to prevent nerve problems.
- Tell your doctor about other medicines, especially phenytoin, carbamazepine and antacids, and let them know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Frequently asked questions about Isoniazid
What is the price of Isoniazid in Pakistan?
At Medimart, Isoniazid products currently in stock range from Rs 20 to Rs 564 per pack, depending on the brand, strength and pack size. The lowest-priced option right now is Polyzide 50mg|5ml Syrup at Rs 20. Prices are updated regularly, so the product list on this page always shows the latest price.Which brands of Isoniazid are available in Pakistan?
Isoniazid is sold in Pakistan under brand names such as Isoniazid (Geofman), Isozide (Nabiqasim Industries Ltd), Rimactal-inh (Novartis Pharma (Pakistan)ltd), Pharozide (Pharmacare) and Polyzide (Polyfine).Do I need a prescription for Isoniazid?
Yes. Isoniazid is a prescription medicine in Pakistan. Use it only when a doctor has prescribed it, at the dose and for the time they advise.
Can Isoniazid be used during pregnancy?
Tell your doctor about other medicines, especially phenytoin, carbamazepine and antacids, and let them know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Are all Isoniazid brands the same?
Brands that contain the same amount of Isoniazid in the same form are expected to work in the same way, although inactive ingredients, pack sizes and prices differ. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before switching from one brand to another.
Isoniazid brands and prices in Pakistan
Medimart lists 9 products containing Isoniazid from different manufacturers. Compare strengths, pack sizes and prices below and order online with cash on delivery.
