How much does a box of cycloserine cost in 2024?

Cycloserine (Cycloserine) is an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis and urinary tract infections, especially in the fight against drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). It was first isolated from actinomycetes in 1952 and became an effective drug in the treatment of tuberculosis in the following decades.

Cycloserine has a unique chemical structure and belongs to the β- lactam antibiotics. Its mechanism of action is to competitively inhibit D-alanine-D-alanine ligase, thereby hindering the cross-linking of peptidoglycan, interfering with the synthesis of bacterial cell walls, and causing bacterial death. This mechanism makes cycloserine effective against multiple drug-resistant strains, making it particularly important in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

In clinical applications, cycloserine is often used as a second-line drug to treat tuberculosis that is resistant to other anti-tuberculosis drugs (such as isoniazid and rifampicin). Cycloserine is well absorbed orally and can penetrate all tissues and fluids in the body, including the lungs and cerebrospinal fluid, making it excellent in the treatment of tuberculosis and tuberculous meningitis.

Although cycloserine has important therapeutic value, its use is also accompanied by certain adverse reactions, mainly manifested as central nervous system symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, insomnia, depression and anxiety, and may even cause epilepsy and psychotic symptoms. Therefore, patients need to be under the close supervision of a doctor when using cycloserine so that the dose can be adjusted or discontinued in a timely manner.

Cycloserine is currently on the market in China and is included in medical insurance, so patients can purchase it domestically. The specification of domestic cycloserine is 250 mg 10 tablets, and the price is about a few hundred yuan. Please consult your local hospital pharmacy for specific prices and medical insurance reimbursement information. In addition, the price of generic drugs produced abroad, especially in India, is relatively cheap. The specification is 250 mg 60 tablets, and the price is about 600 yuan. These generic drugs have essentially the same ingredients as domestic drugs, making them an affordable option.