- First-line antituberculosis drug, particularly active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in macrophages. Like all antituberculosis drugs, it must be given with other drugs to be effective in active disease. Its major toxicity is hepatic.
* * *pyr·a·zin·amide .pir-ə-'zin-ə-.mīd, -məd n a tuberculostatic drug C5H5N3O
* * *n.a drug administered by mouth, usually in combination with other drugs, to treat tuberculosis. Side-effects may include digestive upsets, joint pains, gout, fever, and rashes, and high doses may cause liver damage. Trade name: Zinamide.
* * *pyr·a·zin·a·mide (PZA) (pir″ə-zinґə-mīd) [USP] an antibacterial derived from nicotinic acid, used as a tuberculostatic, administered orally.
Medical dictionary. 2011.