isoniazid
UK[ˌaɪsəʊˈnaɪəzɪd]US[ˌaɪsoʊˈnaɪəzɪd]
n
a synthetic compound used as a bacteriostatic drug, primarily in the treatment of tuberculosis.
Morpheme Breakdown
iso
nicotin
azid
iso
nicotin
azid
Etymology
the name 'isoniazid' is a modern scientific coinage, constructed from chemical nomenclature to describe its structure. the prefix 'iso-' indicates its relationship to isonicotinic acid, a derivative of pyridine. the component 'nicotin' links it to nicotinic acid, while the suffix '-azid' specifies the critical hydrazide functional group attached to the ring. thus, the word's literal construction logically denotes "the hydrazide of isonicotinic acid," directly describing the compound's chemical identity.
Analysis
Structure: iso + nicotin + azid
iso- (from greek 'isos', meaning equal, same; a prefix used in chemistry to denote sameness or isomerism). nicotin (a substring of 'nicotinic', referring to nicotinic acid, a derivative of which is involved in the drug's structure; from the name 'nicotine', ultimately from jean nicot). azid (a variant of the chemical suffix '-azide', indicating the presence of the -n₃ group; from french 'azote' (nitrogen) + the suffix '-ide').
Examples
isoniazid is a first-line medication for preventing and treating tuberculosis.
resistance to isoniazid can complicate the management of tb infections.
patients on isoniazid therapy are often monitored for potential side effects like peripheral neuropathy.