Pyrazinamide

Pyrazinamide is a synthetic antibiotic used with other medicines to treat tuberculosis. It is especially valuable early in treatment because it acts against tuberculosis bacteria in acidic environments.

Pyrazinoic acid: Pyrazinoic acid is the active form of pyrazinamide produced inside susceptible tuberculosis bacteria. Bacterial conversion of pyrazinamide into this compound is central to its antimicrobial action.
Tuberculosis treatment: Tuberculosis treatment uses combinations of antimicrobial medicines over several months to cure infection and limit resistance. Pyrazinamide is one component of standard multidrug treatment for drug-susceptible tuberculosis.
Pyrazinamide resistance: Pyrazinamide resistance is the reduced susceptibility of tuberculosis bacteria to pyrazinamide. Resistance can make this drug ineffective and complicate regimen selection.
Antituberculosis drug: An antituberculosis drug is a medicine used to kill or suppress bacteria that cause tuberculosis. Pyrazinamide belongs to this broader class of medicines.
Pyrazinamidase: Pyrazinamidase is the bacterial enzyme that converts pyrazinamide into pyrazinoic acid. Loss or alteration of this activating enzyme is a common route to pyrazinamide resistance.
Isoniazid: Isoniazid is an antibiotic used in combination regimens to treat tuberculosis. It is commonly paired with pyrazinamide during the initial phase of treatment.
Isoniazid resistance: Isoniazid resistance is the reduced susceptibility of tuberculosis bacteria to isoniazid. Comparing resistance to these companion drugs shows why susceptibility testing matters.
Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, usually affecting the lungs. The disease’s long treatment requirements shaped pyrazinamide’s use.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. Pyrazinamide’s effects and resistance mechanisms are studied in this pathogen.
Rifampicin: Rifampicin is a rifamycin antibiotic used in combination treatment for tuberculosis. It is a core companion drug in regimens that include pyrazinamide.

Linked from 3 pages

PyrazineBroader topic: This pyrazine derivative is a clinically important medicine.