Ethionamide: Chemical Structure, Mechanism of action, Uses & Side effects

Chemical formula:

• C8H10N2S

Structure of Ethionamide

Mechanism of action:

• Ethionamide is a prodrug that is activated by the mycobacterial enzyme EthA.

• The activated compound inhibits the synthesis of mycolic acid by targeting the enzyme enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA), thereby inhibiting the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Uses:

• Ethionamide is used in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), usually in combination with other antitubercular drugs.

Side effects:

• Side effects can include gastrointestinal disturbances, hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, hypersensitivity reactions, and endocrine disturbances.