Antitubercular Drugs and Treatment Regimen Unit 8.3

Medicines used to treat tuberculosis.

The bacteria that cause tuberculosis.

Spread of tuberculosis through droplets from coughing, sneezing, and talking.

Individuals with weakened immune systems, those in high-risk settings, those who inject drugs, and healthcare workers treating high-risk patients.

Cough, fever, night sweats, anorexia, weight loss, chest pain, bloody sputum (positive acid-fast bacilli in sputum).

Ineffective TB treatment method.

TB treatment using multiple drugs to reduce bacterial resistance and shorten treatment time.

TB treatment divided into two phases with different drugs and durations.

First phase of TB treatment, more effective and less toxic, using isoniazid, rifampin, and others for ~2 months.

Second phase of TB treatment, less effective and more toxic, using para-aminosalicylic acid and others for ~4-7 months.

Inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis.

Inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis.

Treat and prevent tuberculosis.

Drowsiness, photosensitivity, dizziness, GI upset, and ocular toxicity.

Photosensitivity, discoloration of body fluids (orange).

Hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, optic neuritis, Vitamin B6 deficiency (with INH) leading to peripheral neuropathy.

Severe renal or hepatic disease, alcoholism, diabetic retinopathy.

Alcohol, antacids.

Evaluating client medications, medical history, PPD results, symptoms, culture results, and baseline liver/kidney function tests.

Administering before/after meal, following regimen, specimen collection, monitoring liver and kidney function, eye exams, vitamin B6, sun precautions, and knowledge of rifampin's effects on body fluids.

Administer 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals for better absorption.

Usually 6 to 9 months.

TB bacteria becoming resistant to certain anti-TB medications.

Combination of several drugs to reduce resistance and ensure effectiveness.

Tuberculosis is caused by a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is an acid-fast bacillus.

Tuberculosis spreads from person to person through tiny droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

People with weakened immune systems, those living or working in high-risk situations, drug users, and healthcare workers treating infected patients are at higher risk for tuberculosis.

Some common signs of TB include coughing, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, chest pain, and bloody sputum.

Using just one drug for tuberculosis is ineffective because it often leads to bacterial resistance.

Treating tuberculosis with multiple drugs reduces bacterial resistance and shortens treatment duration.

Treatment for tuberculosis is divided into 2 phases, each with different drugs and durations.

Phase 1 uses more effective and less toxic drugs, lasting about 2 months. Phase 2 uses less effective and more toxic drugs, lasting 4 to 7 months.

These drugs work by inhibiting bacterial cell-wall synthesis, preventing the tuberculosis bacteria from growing and multiplying.

These medications are prescribed to treat and prevent tuberculosis infections.

Some possible side effects of isoniazid include drowsiness, photosensitivity, dizziness, upset stomach, and potential eye problems (ocular toxicity).

Rifampin can turn secretions like urine, saliva, and even sweat a harmless reddish-orange color.

Potential serious side effects include liver damage, kidney problems, nerve damage (optic neuritis), and vitamin B6 deficiency (with INH) leading to nerve pain.

These drugs should not be used if someone has severe kidney or liver disease, is an alcoholic, or has diabetic retinopathy.

Alcohol and antacids can interact with these medications, so it's important to inform medical professionals about any other substances being taken.

Doctors need to assess the patient's medication history, medical history, TB test results, symptoms, culture results, and baseline liver and kidney function.

Patients need to know how to take the medications, how long to take them, how to collect specimens, the importance of liver and kidney checks, eye exams, taking vitamin B6, sun precautions, and understanding the color changes in body fluids.

Isoniazid should be administered 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals to improve absorption.

It means the patient is following the prescribed medication regimen, taking it as directed and for the full duration, which is crucial for preventing drug resistance.

These medications can cause vision problems, so regular eye exams help monitor for any potential issues.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is often given with isoniazid to help prevent nerve damage and pain (peripheral neuropathy).

Both isoniazid and rifampin can increase sensitivity to sunlight, so it's important to protect the skin.

Rifampin can cause urine, feces, saliva, sputum, sweat, and tears to turn a reddish-orange color, but this is harmless.

The treatment plan for tuberculosis typically lasts for 6 to 9 months.

Living a healthy lifestyle, getting vaccinated (if available), and avoiding close contact with infected individuals are important strategies for prevention.

When the bacteria are exposed to only one drug or the treatment isn't completed, they can develop resistance, making the infection harder to treat.

Taking the full course of medication as directed is crucial for ensuring the bacteria are fully eliminated and preventing drug resistance.

A multi-drug regimen often involves a combination of several medications, typically two or three, to effectively target different aspects of the bacteria and reduce resistance.

By using multiple drugs with different mechanisms, multi-drug therapy increases the chances of effectively killing the bacteria and reducing the risk of resistance.

Not completing the full course of medication can lead to the bacteria becoming resistant, making future treatment more difficult and increasing the risk of spreading the infection to others.

Regular monitoring through blood work, chest x-rays, and sputum tests helps track the effectiveness of treatment and detect any potential complications or side effects.