Seromycin

Generic Name: cycloserine (sye kloe SER een)Brand Names: Seromycin

What is Seromycin (cycloserine)?

Cycloserine is an antibiotic. It prevents tuberculous bacteria from growing in your body.

Cycloserine is used to treat tuberculosis (TB).

Cycloserine is also sometimes used to treat urinary tract and other types of infections that have not responded to other treatments.

Cycloserine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Seromycin (cycloserine)?Take all of the cycloserine that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated. Avoid alcohol while taking cycloserine. Alcohol will increase your risk of having a seizure during cycloserine treatment. Alcohol will also increase dizziness and drowsiness. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Cycloserine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Call your doctor immediately if you experience a skin rash, mental confusion, dizziness, headache, or tremors (shaking).

Who should not take Seromycin (cycloserine)?

You cannot take cycloserine if you

• have epilepsy,

• suffer from depression,

• have an anxiety disorder,

• have a psychotic or psychiatric disorder,

• have kidney disease, or

• drink alcohol on a daily basis.

Cycloserine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether cycloserine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant Cycloserine passes into breast milk, and it is not known whether cycloserine will harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Seromycin (cycloserine)?

Take cycloserine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

Cycloserine is usually taken twice a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Take all of the cycloserine that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated.

Cycloserine is usually combined with one or more other tuberculosis medicines.

Your doctor may also want you to take a supplemental vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) tablet daily during treatment to lessen side effects.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Seromycin dosage in more detail

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a cycloserine overdose include drowsiness, confusion, headache, dizziness, irritability, numbness and tingling, difficulty speaking, paralysis, abnormal behavior, seizures, and unconsciousness.

What should I avoid while taking Seromycin (cycloserine)?

Avoid alcohol while taking cycloserine. Alcohol will increase your risk of having a seizure during treatment with this medication. Also, alcohol will increase dizziness and drowsiness. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Cycloserine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Seromycin (cycloserine) side effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• seizures;

• numbness or tingling in your hands or feet;

• a skin rash;

• confusion or abnormal behavior;

• tremors (shaking);

• headache;

• drowsiness;

• dizziness;

• difficulty speaking; or

• irritability.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Seromycin (cycloserine)?

Before taking cycloserine, tell your doctor if you are taking

• ethionamide (Trecator-SC), or

• isoniazid (Nydrazid).

You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with cycloserine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about cycloserine written for health professionals that you may read.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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