Drugs Used To Treat Tuberculosis
Drugs used to treat Tuberculosis
- TB is always treated with 2 or more drugs
- Combination therapy is essential for treating TB
INH (Isoniazid)
- Ist Line of treatment for TB
- Can elevate LFT, so monitor LFTs in patients with decreased liver function
- Patients should not drink ETOH
- Peripheral neuropathy is the most common adverse reaction, so administer Pyridoxine (B6) to minimize this side effect
- May increase Phenytoin levels & cause toxicity
- May be administered to pregnant women
Pyrazinamide
- Typically used for the first 2 months of therapy
- Hepatitis, Hepatoxicity & Hyperuricemia (Gout) are the common side effects
Ethambutol
- Used in initial treatment of TB if the INH-resistant TB is greater than 4%
- Optic neuritis, impaired red-green color discrimination, hyperuricemia (Gout) & hepatotoxicity are the common side effects
- Not usually administered to infants & young children because they are not aware of color changes
Rifampin (RIF)
- Broad spectrum antibiotic
- Generally well tolerated
- Can cause a harmless orange-red coloring or urine, sweat, saliva & tears (can ruin contact lenses)
- Can be hepatotoxic
- Can reduce the effectiveness of Coumadin & anti-HIV drugs
- Not recommended to use alone in the treatment of TB because resistance can happen
- Learn more about signs, symptoms, & treatment for tuberculosis