Pyrazinoic acid is the active metabolite of pyrazinamide, which is primarily used in the treatment of tuberculosis. Once pyrazinamide is administered, it is converted by the liver enzyme amidase into pyrazinoic acid. The pharmacological activity of pyrazinoic acid is essential for the antibiotic efficacy of pyrazinamide, as it disrupts the Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell membrane and interferes with its energy production.
