E-drug: Terizidone
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Dear E-druggers,
In response to the recent correspondance on TERIZIDONE on the
E-drug network we would like to confirm that it is available in South
Africa and will appear in the updated version of the Guidelines for the
Management of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Patients in South Africa
when these are published by the Department of Health in the near
future. It is recommended for the treatment of MDR-TB patients in both
the intensive and continuation phases. It is available through hospital
pharmacies and TB clinics only.
TERIZIDONE is considered effective in the treatment of TB and may also
be useful for the treatment of urinary tract infections including those
due to TB. Contraindications to its use include epilepsy, mental
disorders and chronic alcoholism. Gastrointestinal side effects are
common and central nervous effects such as headache, dizziness,
tremor and dysarthria more rarely occur. Psychiatric disturbance and
convulsions are documented (and all these appear in the package
insert).
No other ADRs have been reported to this centre. We are not able to
comment on the extent of use of terizidone in South Africa.
Literature search does not raise any recent safety issues. Terizidone
does not appear to share the risks of serious adverse reactions in
patients with AIDS that are associated with thioacetazone. In 1994 a
report appeared in a German journal (this may be the paper mentioned
in the recent E-drug correspondance) of an AIDS patient who
developed severe rash and convulsions while on a multiple antibiotic
regimen. Terizidone was discontinued because of suspected interaction
with gancyclovir rather than being suspected of direct causation.
On current data it would appear that terizidone is safe for the narrow
indications it is permitted. We would welcome any adverse reaction
reports and comments that other E-Druggers would like to submit.
Clare Roberts and Ushma Mehta
National Adverse Drug Event Monitoring
Medicines Control Council
c/o Department of Pharmacology
University of Cape Town
Observatory 7925
South Africa
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