Indications of Antituberculosis Drugs

Tuberculosis is managed by the following drugs usually in combination to prevent mycobacterium resistance and toxicity
oRifampicin symbolized by R
oIsoniazid symbolized by H
oPyrazinamide symbolized by Z
oEthambutol symbolized by E
![Screenshot_3.png]oStreptomycin symbolized by S

Tuberculosis is usually managed in two phases, initial phases and continuous phase

oThe initial phase; during this phase combination drugs are continued for 2 months

oDrugs used in initial phase are

  rifampicin,
  isoniazid,
  pyrazinamide and 
   ethambutol 

oThese drugs should be continued until full susceptibility is confirmed, even if this is for longer than 2 months

oContinuation phase; after the initial phase, treatment is continued for a further 4 months with
isoniazid and
rifampicin (preferably given as a combination preparation). Longer treatment is necessary for meningitis, direct spinal cord involvement, and for resistant organisms which may also require modification of the regimen

Other drugs indicated for management of tuberculosis as second line include
cycloserine,
ethionamide and
streptomycin
()