Forecox: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Price, Composition & 20 FAQs

What is Forecox?

Used mainly to treat patients suffering from Tuberculosis. Visual disturbances and hepatitis are the major side effects seen with this drug. It should be totally avoided in case of patients with history of arthritis, hepatitis, and optic neurtitis.

Forecox Composition: Ethambutol 400mg + Isoniazid 150mg + Pyrazinamide 750mg + Rifampicin 225mg.
Manufactured By: Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Prescription: Required.
Form: Tablets.
Price: Rs.62.10 for 6 tablets.
Expiry/Shelf Life: 24 months from the date of manufacturing
Type of Drug: Antibiotic.

Also read in Hindi About Forecox

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Uses of Forecox

Forecox is used for the following purpose:

Tuberculosis: Used for the treatment of Tuberculosis.

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How does Forecox work?

• Forecox contains Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, Isoniazid, and Ethambutol as its chief ingredients.
• Forecox works by preventing the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (causative organism) to form their protective covering and eventually leads to the death of the bacteria.

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How to take Forecox?

• Forecox is usually available in tablet form.
• Tablets are usually administered through the mouth with water as instructed by the doctor. It should be taken 1-2 hours before meals.
• The tablet should never be crushed or chewed, instead, swallow the tablet as a whole.
• It is advisable to strictly adhere to the prescribed dosing regimen for proper drug administration.
• It is recommended for a patient to go through the leaflet inside the package thoroughly to have a better understanding about the drug.

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Common Dosage for Forecox

• Forecox dosage can be decided by the doctor for every individual as per: Age, Weight, Mental status, Allergic history and Health status of the patient.
• Dose of Rifampicin 150mg/ Isoniazid 75mg/ Pyrazinamide 400mg/ Ethambutol 275mg is as follows:
• Dose for children weighing 21-30kgs is 2 tablets per day.
• Dose for individual weighing 30-39kgs is 2 tablets per day.
• Dose for individual weighing 40-54kgs is 3 tablets per day.
• Dose for individual weighing 55-70kgs is 4 tablets per day.
• Dose for individual weighing above 70kgs is 5 tablets per day.
• Dose alteration as per your own convenience should be avoided
• Always consult the doctor before administering the drug to children.

Q. What happens if I overdose on Forecox?

The doctor should be consulted immediately in case of Forecox overdose. Symptoms of overdose can be seen as altered liver functions or impairment.

Q. What happens if I miss a dose of Forecox?

The drug may not exhibit proper effects if you miss a dose because, for effective working of the drug, a certain amount of drug must be present in your body at all times. Consume the missed dose always as soon as you remember it. But, do not take a double dose if it’s already time to take the second dose after that as it may lead to overdose of the drug.

Q. What happens if I eat expired Forecox?

The expired antibiotic may not work as it might not be potent enough to produce desirable effects. Consulting physician should be informed regarding the same.

Q. Onset time of Forecox and till when does the effect of Forecox stay?

• Forecox Tablets takes time to show the effect as it’s lengthy drug therapy.
• One should never stop the treatment in between as it may lead to the development of drug resistance.
• The time taken by the drug to show its effect may vary with every individual.

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When to Avoid Forecox?

Do not Consume Forecox if:

• Allergy: If there is any known allergy to Forecox or any of its constituents.
• Arthritis: In cases of patients with arthritis or history of drug induced arthritis.
• Severe Liver disorders: In patients having severe liver problems, it should be avoided unless advised or dose is modified by the doctor.
• Optic Neuritis: In cases of patients suffering from optic neuritis.
• Concomitant use of Voriconazole: In cases of patients on treatment of fungal infection with Voriconazole, avoid Forecox in such cases.
• Diabetes or nerve problems: In cases of patients with diabetes and nerve problems.

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Precautions While Taking Forecox:

• Empty Stomach: Forecox should be taken empty stomach, 1-2 hours before meals.
• Allergic Reaction: Any allergic reaction should be immediately reported to the doctor.
• Avoid Dose alteration: Drug alteration should be avoided unless stated by the doctor to avoid the overdose of the drug.
• Time Interval: A fixed time gap of atleast 4-6 hours is to be maintained between the two doses to avoid toxicity.

 Warnings When Taking Forecox

• The patient is at high risk of developing hepatitis, if the patient is older than 35 years of age, chronic liver disorder and is chronic alcohol.
• Carefully monitoring of patients with HIV, pregnancy and tingling sensation in hands and feet is necessary.
• Sudden withdrawal of the drug can cause drug resistance. Therefore, the drug dose should be gradually reduced by the doctor.

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Side-Effects of Forecox

The side effects associated with Forecox are:

• Increased liver enzymes (common)
• Tingling sensations of hands and feet (common)
• Reddish discoloration of saliva, urine and sputum (common).
• Diarrhoea (common)
• Abdominal Pain (common)
• Loss of Appetite (common)
• Nausea (common)
• Vomiting (common)
• Rashes or itching of skin (common)
• Disturbance in menstrual cycle (common)
• Visual disturbances (common)
• Optic neuritis (common)
• Seizure (less common)
• Hepatitis (less common)
• Headache (less common)
• Memory impairment (less common)
• Inflammation of brain (less common)
• Gastritis (rare)
• Infection of the bowel (rare)
• Nephritis (inflammation of kidneys) (rare)
• Photosensitivity (rare)
• Conjunctivitis (rare)

Are There Any Reported Allergic Reactions to Forecox?

Following possible allergic reactions have been reported for Forecox tablets :

• Tightness of chest (Less common)
• Rashes and itching on the skin (less common)
• Sweling of lips and mouth (less common)

What are the effects of Forecox on organs?

In cases of patients with severe liver or kidney diseases, Forecox can increase the chances of further damage to liver (hepatitis or liver failure) and kidney impairment  which can lead to fatal results

Drug Interactions to be Careful About

It is always advisable to be careful of a certain drug to drug or drug to food interactions when consuming Forecox. Always be aware of the food items, other drugs or lab tests while consuming Forecox. We explore these n details below.

1. Food Interactions with Forecox

No particular food item to be avoided.

2. Medicines Interactions with Forecox

All the potential drug interactions might not be listed here. It is always advisable that the patient must inform the physician about of all the drugs/products you use. You must notify the doctor about the herbal products that you are currently consuming. You should never alter the drug regimen without your doctor’s approval.

The common drug interactions have been noticed with the following drugs:

• Imatinib (mild)
• Imidapril (moderate)
• Ketoconazole (moderate)
• NSAIDs (moderate)
• Acetaminophen (mild)
• Antacids (moderate)
• Aprepitant (moderate)
• Carbamazepine (mild)
• Enalapril (moderate)
• Eplerenone (moderate)

3. Effects of Forecox on Lab Tests

Forecox can affect the liver function tests as it can cause increased liver enzymes.

4. Forecox’s interactions with Pre-existing Conditions/Diseases

Any Liver or kidney disease, diabetes and HIV.

Q. Can I have Forecox with alcohol?

No, alcohol, when consumed with the drug, can lead to increased chances of liver damage and the consulting physician should be informed immediately in case of any side effects.

Q. Any particular food item to be avoided?

No particular food item needs to be avoided.

Q. Can I have Forecox when pregnant?

Forecox during pregnancy should only be consumed when necessary and the benefits outweigh the risks. The doctor should always be notified if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant

Q. Can I have Forecox when feeding a baby?

Yes, the drug is known to be excreted in human milk but nonnegative effects on the child have been reported yet. But one must consume the drug only when necessary and the doctor should always be informed if you are breastfeeding your child.

Q. Can I drive after taking Forecox?

No, one may experience visual disturbances and dizziness. Therefore, one should avoid driving if any dizziness occurs.

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Buyer’s Guide – Forecox Composition, Variant and Price

Forecox Variants	Forecox Composition	Forecox Price
Forecox 150mg Tablet	Ethambutol 275mg + Isoniazid (INH) 100mg + Pyrazinamide 500mg + Rifampicin 150mg	Rs. 40.55 for 6 Tablets.
Forecox Kit	Ethambutol 800mg + Isoniazid (INH) 300mg + Pyrazinamide 750mg + Rifampicin 450mg	Rs. 19.20 for 1 Pack.

Buy & Get 20% Off at Netmeds | Medlife | PharmEasy

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Substitutes of Forecox

The following are alternative drugs for Forecox:

• Rcinex EZ Tablet:
  • Manufactured by – Lupin Ltd.
  • Price – Rs. 56.15
• Ripe FD Tablet:
  • Manufactured by – Concept Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
  • Price – Rs. 37.55
• RHZ plus Tablet:
  • Manufactured by – Overseas Healthcare.
  • Price – Rs. 37.08
• Tetracox Tablet: 
  • Manufactured by – Themis Medicare Ltd.
  • Price – Rs. 54.63

 Storage requirements for Forecox

• The drug should be stored in a cool, moisture-free place at the temperature below 25^o
• The drug should be kept in a place where it is out of the reach of children.

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FAQs – 10 Questions Answered about Forecox

Q. What is Forecox?

Ans. Forecox is basically a multidrug formulation and is used for the treatment of tuberculosis.

Q. How effective it is/ How long does it take for Forecox to show results?

Ans. Forecox shows its effect only when the prescribed course of the drug has been completed as the drug is prescribed for a lengthy duration. Therefore, one should never stop Forecox therapy in between.

Q. Should Forecox be taken on an empty stomach?

Ans. Forecox should be taken 1-2 hours before meal to get the desired results.

Q. Does Forecox make you drowsy?

Ans. Forecox does not cause drowsiness but it varies with every individual.

Q. What should be the time gap between the consumption of 2 Forecox doses?

Ans. An ideal time gap of atleast 4-6 hours should be there between two doses to avoid Forecox toxicity or overdose.

Q. Should I complete the whole cycle of the medicine even if cured?

Ans. Forecox should be consumed as prescribed by the doctor and in case of any severity of symptoms, immediate medical help or consultation should be taken and the doctor should be the one to decide when and how to stop the cycle of Forecox. Withdrawal of drug therapy in between can lead to the development of drug resistance.

Q. Does Forecox effect my menstrual cycle?

Ans. Yes, it generally can affect the menstrual cycle. Hence, one should always consult the doctor in case of pre-existing menstrual problems before consuming the drug

Q. Is Forecox safe for children?

Ans. Forecox is to be administered to children only after proper medical consultation as the drug dose is decided as per the weight of the child.

Q. Are there any symptoms that I should consider before taking Forecox?

Ans. Any moderate to severe liver disorder, arthritis and history of allergic reactions to the drug are to be taken into consideration before taking Forecox.

Q. Is Forecox legal in India?

Ans. Yes, it is legal in India.

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Disclaimer – The information provided above is to the best of our research and knowledge. However, you are recommended to consult a physician before consuming the drug.

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