Compare Sirturo vs. pyrazinamide

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Sirturo (bedaquiline)

Prescription only

pyrazinamide

Prescription only
Used to treat active tuberculosis when other medications cannot be used.

Sirturo (bedaquiline) is a great addition to tuberculosis regimens but only if your tuberculosis can't be treated with all of the typical tuberculosis drugs.

Treats tuberculosis

pyrazinamide is one of the first choice treatments used together with other drugs for tuberculosis.

Upsides
  • Sirturo (bedaquiline) is the first drug with a new method of treating multi-drug resistant tuberculosis to be developed in over 40 years.
  • After two weeks of taking Sirturo (bedaquiline) each day, you will only need to take it three times a week for the rest of your therapy.
  • pyrazinamide along with other medications effectively treats tuberculosis.
  • Take pyrazinamide either once a day or a couple times a week.
  • Although not tested, this medicine is as safe for children as it is for adults.
Downsides
  • Sirturo (bedaquiline) should not be taken alone to treat your tuberculosis. You must take it with at least 3 other medications.
  • It is recommended you take Sirturo (bedaquiline) by directly observed therapy or in front of a health worker.
  • Like other tuberculosis drugs, Sirturo (bedaquiline) has to be given for several months in order for it work properly (usually 6 months).
  • A study found an increased risk of death with Sirturo (bedaquiline). You can only take it when the standard tuberculosis treament is not enough to treat you of tuberculosis.
  • Sirturo (bedaquiline) cannot be used for latent (or non-active) tuberculosis or for tuberculosis that has spread outside the lungs.
  • Have to take pyrazinamide with other medicines in order to be effective against tuberculosis.
  • Can cause liver problems that may require stopping the medicine.
  • Can interfere with some lab tests.
  • Even though pyrazinamide is a generic, it is still relatively expensive.
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Used for
  • Pulmonary tuberculosis
  • Tuberculosis treatment
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Pill
Price
Lowest price
$3730.65
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Lowest price
$111.86
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Reviews
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Side effects
9possible side effects
  • Nausea
    38%
  • Joint pain
    33%
  • Headache
    28%
  • Coughing up blood
    18%
  • Chest pain
    11%
  • Loss of appetite
    9%
  • Abnormal liver labs
    9%
  • Rash
    8%
  • Pancreatitis
    3%
See more detailed side effects
The pyrazinamide FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
  • Increased risk of death
  • Heart rhythm problems
    • Use with other QT prolonging drugs
    • History of heart disease
  • Liver damage
    • History of liver damage
    • Alcohol intake
    • Use with other drugs that are harmful to the liver
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Liver problems
    • Current liver problems
  • Gout
    • History of gout
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Sirturo (bedaquiline)
Learn more about pyrazinamide