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Introduction About RHE FD TABLET
RHE FD TABLET is a combination of Ethambutol, Isoniazid and Rifampicin which belongs to the group of medicines called Antituberculosis agents respectively. It is used for the initial management of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection which spreads through inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person. Symptoms such as persistent cough with sputum and blood, weight loss, night sweats, high temperature, tiredness and fatigue, loss of appetite and swelling in the neck.
Your doctor will perform some regular blood tests such as liver function test, visual acuity, uric acid level to monitor any changes in your body. Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking this medicine, as it may cause liver damage. RHE FD TABLET is not recommended in patients with acute liver disease, drug-induced liver disease, inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis) and body weight of less than 20 kg. RHE FD TABLET should be used with caution in patients with hepatitis and kidney disease, suffer from tingling in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy), HIV infection, hypersensitive to ethionamide or niacin (nicotinic acid), epilepsy or a history of psychiatric disease and diabetes or porphyria.
RHE FD TABLET should be used with caution in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Contact your doctor before taking RHE FD TABLET. The most common side effects of taking RHE FD TABLET are peripheral neuropathy (sensations of tingling, pricking, or numbness of the skin, especially in the feet and hands), increased liver enzymes & uric acid levels in blood, flushing, reddish discoloration of body fluids such as urine, sputum, tears, saliva and sweat, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting or skin reactions. Consult your physician if you experience any of the above side effects worsen.
Uses Of RHE FD TABLET
- Used to manage tuberculosis
How RHE FD TABLET Works
RHE FD TABLET helps to manage tuberculosis, where Ethambutol has bacteriostatic properties that inhibits cell wall synthesis. Isoniazid destroys and manages the growth of bacteria. Rifampicin acts via the inhibition of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, leading to a suppression of RNA synthesis and cell death.
How to use RHE FD TABLET
Take RHE FD TABLET as advised by your physician. Take the medicine, with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the right dose depends on your age, body weight and severity of infection.
Side Effects Of RHE FD TABLET
Common
- sensations of tingling, pricking, or numbness of the skin, especially in the feet and hands
- increased liver enzymes and uric acid levels in blood
- flushing
- reddish discoloration of body fluids such as urine, sputum, tears, saliva and sweat
- gastrointestinal symptoms such as (diarrhoea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting)
- skin reactions with rash or itching
- disturbances of the menstrual cycle (in women)
- eye problems (ocular redness, permanent discolouration of soft contact lenses, visual disturbances due to the inflammation of the optic nerve)
Uncommon
- inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
- epileptic seizures
- headache
- inflammation of the brain
- personality changes and memory impairment
Rare
- gastritis
- bowel infection
- nephritis (inflammation of the kidney)
- photosensitivity reactions (skin sensitivity to light)
- conjunctivitis
Stop taking RHE FD TABLET and contact your physician immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- unexplained loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, yellow discoloration of the skin (jaundice), persistent fatigue and abdominal pain and tenderness
How To Manage Side Effects
Diarrhea
Consume lots of water and fruit juice which keeps yourself hydrated. Contact your doctor if diarrhoea worsens.
Nausea And Vomiting
Take the medication right before or after eating. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oily or spicy food. If the nausea and vomiting doesn’t improve, consult your doctor.
Stomach Pain
Try to rest and relax. Eat small meals but take frequently. Keep a heat pad on your stomach. Contact your doctor if the abdominal pain did not improve.
Warning & Precautions
Pregnancy
Use with CautionRHE FD TABLET should be used with caution in pregnant women. Contact your doctor before taking RHE FD TABLET.
Breastfeeding
Use with CautionRHE FD TABLET should be used with caution in breastfeeding women. Contact your doctor before taking RHE FD TABLET.
Driving and Using Machines
Use with CautionDo not drive or operate machines while taking RHE FD TABLET, may cause visual disturbances, dizziness and other side effects on the nervous system that can impair your ability to drive and to use machines.
Alcohol
Consult your doctorAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking RHE FD TABLET, as it may cause liver damage. Contact your doctor before taking RHE FD TABLET.
Kidney
Use with CautionRHE FD TABLET should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Contact your doctor before taking RHE FD TABLET.
Liver
Consult your doctorRHE FD TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with acute liver disease, drug-induced liver disease. It should be used with caution in patients with liver disease (hepatitis) and chronic liver disease. Contact your doctor before taking RHE FD TABLET.
Allergy
ContraindicatedDo not take RHE FD TABLET if you are allergic to Ethambutol, Isoniazid, Rifampicin or to other ingredients of this medicine.
Use In Pediatrics
Consult your doctorYour doctor will prescribe the right dose depends on your child’s age, body weight and severity of the infection. Consult your doctor before giving to your child.
Others
RHE FD TABLET is not recommended for use if you have:
- inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis)
Before taking RHE FD TABLET, inform your doctor if you:
- suffer from tingling in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy)
- have HIV infection
- have epilepsy
- have a history of psychiatric disorders
- have diabetes
- have porphyria
Interactions
A. Drug-Drug interactions:
Before taking RHE FD TABLET inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- antibiotics such as voriconazole, clarithromycin (medicine used to manage fungal infections)
- HIV protease inhibitors (Ex. efavirenz, nevirapine) (drugs used to manage HIV infection)
- aluminium hydroxide (medicine used to manage diseases related to the gastric acid)
- disulfiram (medicine used for the management of chronic alcoholism)
- medicines to manage fungal infections (Ex. ketoconazole, fluconazole)
- quinine (medicine used to manage malaria)
- immunosuppressant drugs (Ex. cyclosporine, tacrolimus)
- medicines to manage heart conditions (Ex. verapamil, digoxin)
- medicines to manage blood lipids (Ex. simvastatin)
- medicines to manage diabetes (Ex. glibenclamide)
- oral contraceptive pills (medicines used to manage unwanted pregnancy)
- medicines to manage epileptic seizures (Ex. phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproate)
- medicines used to help you sleep (Ex. diazepam, flurazepam, triazolam, midazolam)
- medicines for the management of certain psychiatric conditions (Ex. chlorpromazine, haloperidol)
- medicines for management of blood clots (Ex. warfarin)
- medicines used at surgery (Ex. alfentanil, enflurane)
- corticosteroids (Ex. prednisolone, medicines for the management of inflammations and other diseases, such as asthma or rheumatoid arthritis)
- paracetamol (used for pain)
B. Drug-Food interaction:
When taken with cheese or fish, RHE FD TABLET may cause redness, itching of the skin, hot feeling, rapid or pounding heartbeat, sweating, chills or clammy feeling, headache, and/or light-headedness.
Overdosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of RHE FD TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of overdose may develop vomiting, gastrointestinal disturbances, fever, headache, dizziness, slurring of speech, hallucinations and/or visual disturbances.
Synopsis
| Drug | : | Ethambutol, Isoniazid, Rifampicin |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Antituberculosis agents |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Tuberculosis |
| Dosage Forms | : | Tablet, Combipack, Kit, Kit-Tablet |
More Information
- Keep RHE FD TABLET out of reach of children
- Store RHE FD TABLET at a room temperature
FAQs About RHE FD TABLET
Q: What is RHE FD TABLET used for?
A: RHE FD TABLET is used for the initial management of tuberculosis. Consult your doctor before taking RHE FD TABLET.
Q: Can I drink alcohol while taking RHE FD TABLET?
A: Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking RHE FD TABLET, as it may cause liver damage. Contact your doctor before taking RHE FD TABLET.
Q: What to do if I forget to take RHE FD TABLET?
A: If you miss or forget to take a dose, the missed dose should be taken as soon as possible, unless the next regular dose is scheduled within 6 hours. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next regular dose. You should not take a double dose to make up for forgotten individual doses.
Q: What happens if I stop taking RHE FD TABLET?
A: You should keep taking the RHE FD TABLET for as long as your doctor has instructed, even if you are feeling better. If you stop the medicine too soon, the infection may not be completely managed. You should not stop management unless your doctor or health care provider says so.
Q: Can I drive after taking RHE FD TABLET?
A: Do not drive or operate machines while taking RHE FD TABLET, it may cause visual disturbances, dizziness and other side effects on the nervous system that can impair your ability to drive and to use machines.
References
1. KD Tripathi. Antitubercular Drugs. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology. Seventh Edition. 2013. Page: 765.
2. Lee N, Nguyen H. Ethambutol. StatPearls [Internet]. NIH National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. [Revised in October 2022] [Accessed on 04th March 2023] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559050/
3. Tuberculosis. National Health Service. [Accessed on 04th March 2023] https://extranet.who.int/pqweb/sites/default/files/TB183Part3.pdf
4. Ethambutol, Isoniazid and Rifampicin. Macleods Pharmaceuticals Limited. [Accessed on 04th March 2023] https://extranet.who.int/pqweb/sites/default/files/TB183Part3.pdf
Useful Diagnostic Tests
- Complete Blood Test
- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
- Mycobacterium Tuberculosis DNA PCR-Qualitative Test
- Peripheral Smear Examination
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