CYCLOSERINE

Brand & Generic Names

Seromycin

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antibacterial (antibiotic)

Uses

• Treats urinary tract infections.
• Treats tuberculosis.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Capsules--Swallow with liquid or food to lesson stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, open capsule and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
Once or twice daily.
At the same time each day after meals to prevent stomach irritation.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Interferes with bacterial wall synthesis and keeps germs from multiplying.

Time lapse before drug works:
3 to 4 hours.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Seizures.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Seizures, muscle Seek emergency twitching or trembling. treatment immediately.

Common:

Gum inflammation, pale skin, depression, confusion, dizziness, restlessness, anxiety, nightmares, severe headache, drowsiness.

Infrequent:

Visual changes; sun sensitivity; skin rash; numbness, tingling or burning in hands and feet; jaundice; eye pain.

Rare:

Seizures, thoughts of suicide.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are an alcoholic.
• You have a convulsive disorder.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you are depressed.
• If you have kidney disease.
• If you have severe anxiety.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. You may need smaller doses for shorter periods of time.

Pregnancy:
Safety not established. Consult your doctor.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
No information available.

Prolonged use:

• May cause liver or kidney damage.
• May cause anemia.

Skin & sunlight:
May cause hypersensitivity to sun exposure.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:

• May have to take anticonvulsants, sedatives and/or pyridoxine to prevent or minimize toxic effects on the brain.
• If you must take more than 500 mg per day, toxicity is much more likely to occur.
• Talk to your doctor about taking pyridoxine as a supplement.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Ethionamide	Increased risk of seizures.
Isoniazid	Increased risk of central nervous
	system effects.
Pyridoxine	Reduces effects of pyridoxine.
	Since pyridoxine is a vital
	vitamin, patients on cycloserine
	require pyridoxine supplements to
	prevent anemia or peripheral
	neuritis.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Toxic. May increase risk of
	seizures. Avoid.
Beverages:	None expected. All beverages except
	those with alcohol.
Cocaine:	Toxic. Avoid.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	May increase risk of seizures.
Tobacco:	May decrease effect of cycloserine.