 TB
is curable only if it is diagnosed quickly
and treated appropriately with medication.
Treatment of tuberculosis involves:
-
1st line regimen- Drugs
like Streptomycin, Isoniazid , Rifampicin,
Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide.
- 2nd line regimen- Drugs like Kanamycin,
Ethionamide, p-aminosalicylic acid, Ofloxacin,
Cycloserine, Capreomycin, Thiacetazone.
Standard 9 Month regimen:
Combination of Isoniazid (5 mg/kg) and Rifampicin
(10 mg/kg) daily on empty stomach is highly
effective for all forms of drug sensitive
tuberculosis. Addition of Pyrazinamide (25-35
mg/kg) plus either Streptomycin (1g) or
Ethambutol (15or 25 mg/kg) is advised if
sensitivity results are pending.
6 Month regimen:
This consists of 2 months of Isoniazid,
Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide plus either Ethambutol
at 25mg/kg or Streptomycin if Isoniazid
resistance is suspected followed by Isoniazid
and Rifampicin daily or 2 times a week for
4 months.
Combination tablets:
Several commercial preparations are available
which have the drugs in one tablet to make
it convenient for the patient to take his
medicines.
Side Effects:
First line drugs have various side effects
like hepatotoxicity, peripheral neuropathy,
hypersensitivity reaction, nausea, vomiting,
visual field constriction and renal problems.
Second line drugs have
side effects like gastrointestinal intolerance,
peripheral neuropathy, vertigo and hypersensitivity.
For these reasons patients
treated for TB have to be regularly monitored
for reaction to the drugs.
Cost of the treatment
Standard 6 month regimen
will cost about Rs. 2300 (Approx. Rs 1500
for initial 2 months and approx. Rs. 800
for next 4 months)
Commercially available kits cost approx.
Rs. 700 for 2 months and Rs. 1600 for 4
months.
The Second line regimen is very expensive
and has various side effects. |
