Medications are very important in treating tuberculosis (TB). Different antibiotics need to be taken by people suffering from TB for a minimum period of six months. The duration of taking tuberculosis medication may also extend up to 12 months depending on the severity of the disease, location and spread in the body, age, overall health and the form of TB.
Common Tuberculosis Medications
Some of the most commonly used drugs to treat TB include:
- Isoniazid (INH)
- Ethambutol
- Rifampin (RIF)
- Pyrazinamide
- Rifapentine
Treating latent TB
If the test results determine that the TB bacteria is still in a latent stage, medications that destroy bacteria and prevent it from getting active in the future may be prescribed by the doctor. Isoniazid is used to treat this condition. Some people may be given daily dosage of this drug while others may have to take it twice a week. Your doctor would decide on the dosage. Long term usage of this drug can cause some serious side-effects. Therefore, your doctor would closely monitor the progress of treatment.
Treating active TB
People diagnosed with active TB need to take a combination of several medications like isoniazid, ethambutol, rifampin and pyrazinamide. Depending on the effectiveness of drugs and progress of treatment, one may need to increase or decrease taking a combination of these drugs. Hospitalization during the first two weeks of treatment is necessary to prevent the spread of TB virus.
Rifapentine is taken once in a week along with a combination of other drugs during the last few months of therapy.
Side-effects
Most of the TB patients who are on tuberculosis medication do not experience any side-effects. However, in some cases side-effects are noticed and lead to serious complications. Common side-effects include:
- Vomiting or nausea
- Change of skin color to yellow
- Loss of appetite
- Dark colored urine
- Unexplained fever lasting for more than 3 days
- Pain or tenderness in your abdomen
- Blurred vision
- Hearing loss
- Skin rash
- Tingling sensation in fingers or toes
- Sensitivity to sun
If you notice any of the above mentioned side-effects, inform your doctor immediately. Your doctor may ask you to immediately stop taking these medications until further clinical tests are done to know the exact cause.
Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking TB medication as it cause some serious damage.
