Rifater (Isoniazid/Pyrazinamide/Rifampin) is manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis Canada.
Product Information
Rifater (Isoniazid/Pyrazinamide/Rifampin) contains three different compounds which act together to kill bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB).Rifampicin targets and inactivates a bacterial chemical called RNA-polymerase. The tuberculosis bacteria use RNA-polymerase to make essential proteins and to copy their own genetic information (DNA). Without this chemical the bacteria cannot reproduce and they die.
Isoniazid's exact mechanism of action is unknown but it is thought to prevent the bacteria from making components called mycolic acids which are needed to form cell walls. It also seems to combine with an enzyme which interferes with the cell metabolism of the bacteria. As a result of the disruption in it's metabolism and without a cell wall the bacteria die.
Pyrazinamide when it enters a tuberculosis infected cell sets off a chain of chemical reactions that kills the bacteria.
Rifater (Isoniazid/Pyrazinamide/Rifampin) is used as an initial treatment of TB.
