Ethide

Ethide Tablet is an antibiotic. It is used as a second-line medicine in combination with other anti-tuberculosis medicines for the treatment of all forms of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a difficult infection to treat and when it is detected for the first time, first-line drugs are used. Generally, the appropriate use of first-line drugs (e.g. isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, and streptomycin) can effectively cure TB. But, if the patient does not respond to first-line medicines, then second-line medicines (e.g. Ethide Tablet, kanamycin, ciprofloxacin, etc.) are used. Second-line medicines have more side effects and are the second choice in terms of effectiveness.

It is very important that you take the medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Your doctor will prescribe at least two more medicines to be taken with Ethide Tablet. Take all the prescribed medicines as per the instructions and do not miss or stop the treatment on your own. Missing doses and stopping the treatment without consulting the doctor are the major causes of treatment failure and drug resistance (not responding to the medication).

Your doctor will decide the duration of your treatment depending upon your response to the treatment. The doctor will observe your maximum improvement by evaluating you clinically as well as your blood tests.

The blood tests are done to check if your liver is functioning properly or not, since Ethide Tablet may affect your liver. Ethide Tablet can also alter your blood glucose levels and thyroid hormone levels. Therefore, monitoring is required.

If you develop symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eye white), dark urine, discolored stools, pain and tenderness in the upper right abdomen, inform your doctor immediately. These could be the signs of liver toxicity.

Pyridoxine is vitamin B6 that helps to prevent nerve damage, which may occur with the use of Ethide Tablet. The symptoms of nerve damage are numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet.

These changes could be due to Ethide Tablet or other medicines that she is taking for TB. Ethide Tablet may cause depression, confusion, aggression, abnormal thinking, and even hallucinations. You should speak to her family or doctor and help her out.