What Is Isoniazid?
Isoniazid is a chemical compound with the chemical formula C6H7N3O and molecular weight 137.14. Isoniazid is also known as isonicotinic acid hydrazide. It is a colorless crystal or white crystalline powder.
Isoniazid is extremely insoluble in diethyl ether, insoluble in acetic anhydride, and somewhat insoluble in ethanol. On the other hand, isoniazid is well soluble in water and acetic acid.
Uses of Isoniazid
Isoniazid is used in medicine as a tuberculosis chemotherapeutic agent.
The usual dosage for adult patients with pulmonary tuberculosis or other forms of tuberculosis is 200 mg to 500 mg of isoniazid per day in one to three divided doses, administered orally daily or twice a week.
Because isoniazid’s inhibitory effect on mycobacterium tuberculosis is stronger than that of para-aminosalicylic acid or streptomycin, isoniazid is the leading chemotherapeutic agent for tuberculosis.
The most common side effects of isoniazid include hepatotoxicity, interstitial pneumonia, renal failure, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, optic neuritis, optic atrophy, and peripheral neuritis.