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What Are The Side Effects Of TB Medication?
Tuberculosis (TB) medication can cause short-term side effects, such as loss of appetite, fever, and fatigue. Long-term side effects can include lung dysfunction and issues with the digestive system.
There are several types of medication that can treat TB. However, a person may experience several side effects.
It is important to discuss the possible side effects with a doctor before beginning the treatment.
This article looks at the side effects of TB medication, how long side effects typically last, what a person can do to manage side effects, and anything a person should avoid while taking TB medication.
There are several short-term side effects that a person may experience while taking TB medication.
A 2017 study that looked at multidrug-resistant TB in South Korea suggests that the most common short-term side effects of TB medication are issues with the digestive system. These can include:
Other possible short-term side effects of TB medication can include:
A person should report any short-term side effects of TB medication to a healthcare professional. Short-term side effects typically resolve after a person stops taking TB medication, but it is important to continue taking the medication until a doctor advises otherwise.
Allergic reactions are also possible. If a person experiences symptoms of an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis after taking TB medication, they should seek immediate medical help.
Anaphylaxis: Symptoms and what to doAnaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life threatening. The symptoms develop suddenly and include:
If someone has these symptoms:
Some people may need more than one epinephrine injection. If the symptoms do not improve in 5 to 15 minutes, or they come back, use a second pen if the person has one.
Some different research from 2020 suggests that one long-term side effect of taking TB medication, particularly for an extended period of time, is a negative effect on human gut microbiota.
Gut microbiota is the array of microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These microorganisms have several vital roles, including regulating the immune system, helping the body fight off disease, and storing energy.
A disturbance to gut microbiota can lead to GI tract symptoms such as:
It may also lead to other health conditions such as:
A 2023 article reports that previous research suggests approximately 20% to 50% of people will experience lung impairment after taking TB medication. This can lead to long-term symptoms such as fatigue and breathlessness.
The same article suggests other long-term side effects of TB medication can include:
A person can work with their doctor to find ways to manage the long-term side effects of TB medication. The treatments will depend on which side effects the individual experiences.
The length of time that side effects from TB medication may last can be different for each person. It can also depend on which side effects occur.
For example, nausea and vomiting can last for a few weeks after a person begins taking the medication.
If a person experiences long-term side effects, these can continue for a variable length of time even after a person stops taking TB medication.
A 2022 Chinese study researched risk factors and biomarkers in smokers and nonsmokers that increase post-TB-related lung damage. Results suggest that 27.9% of people with reduced lung function from taking TB medication will still experience symptoms 3 years after stopping treatment.
A 2023 research review and clinical statement suggests that once a person has finished the course of TB medication, they should attend follow-up appointments with a healthcare professional every 6 months for up to 2 years to monitor side effects.
The individual can work with their doctor to create a suitable treatment plan to manage the side effects.
If a person experiences side effects from TB medication, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional to understand any support or treatments available to help them manage their symptoms.
A healthcare professional may recommend stopping taking TB medications if a person experiences serious side effects.
They may recommend taking vitamin B6 to help with the tingling sensation in the hands and feet. Rest and drinking plenty of fluids can help symptoms such as dizziness.
A healthcare professional may also recommend contacting a state or local TB program to help manage side effects of TB medication.
There are several factors that may lead to an interaction with TB medication and new or worsening side effects. A person taking TB medication should try to avoid:
TB medications may prevent contraceptive pills and implants from working during the duration of the treatment. A person should consider using other barrier methods alongside their regular contraception during this time.
It is important to let a medical professional know if a person is or potentially may be pregnant.
What happens after 2 months of TB treatment?
Most TB medication treatments last for around 6 months. After 2 months, a healthcare professional may need to make changes to the treatment plan, such as taking different antibiotics.
How long does TB medication take to take effect?
However, it typically takes months for TB medication to eliminate all TB bacteria. Therefore, a person must complete the full course of TB medication unless a healthcare professional instructs them otherwise.
What are the signs that TB medication is working?
Some signs that TB medication may be working typically include a reduction of TB symptoms. It is important to continue taking the medication as a doctor instructs, even if they start to feel better.
Can TB medication cause leg pain?
A person taking TB medication may experience leg pain.
A 2021 case report suggests that TB medication may lead to drug-induced myopathy. This is dysfunction of the muscles, including fatigue, weakness, and pain. The dysfunction symptoms may affect the legs.
Can TB medication cause joint pain?
There are several short- and long-term side effects of taking TB medication. Short-term side effects can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, and more.
Long-term side effects can include GI tract symptoms and lung problems.
If a person experiences side effects while taking TB medication, they should speak with a healthcare professional as early as possible. If they experience an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, they should seek immediate medical help.
A Guide To Tuberculosis Treatments And Their Side Effects
Tuberculosis (TB) can be a fatal condition without proper treatment. Still, it's curable. A doctor can help determine which course of antibiotics is best for you, but you must be sure to complete the course.
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This condition primarily affects your lungs but can also attack your kidneys, spine, brain, and other organs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that up to 13 million people in the United States live with a latent (asymptomatic) TB.
Untreated TB can be fatal. But there's an effective antibiotic treatment for this condition. Importantly, TB is curable with appropriate, timely, and complete courses of treatment.
Keep reading to learn about the treatment for TB, its types, effectiveness, side effects, and special considerations.
Latent TB doesn't have symptoms and isn't contagious. Still, latent TB can turn into an active (symptomatic) disease in around 10% of people. Therefore, it's important to treat TB, even if it's latent.
There are several treatment options for latent TB. The CDC recommends the following medications:
Doctors can prescribe these medications on their own or in combination.
The 2020 CDC guidelines for doctors recommend a short course (3 or 4 months) of a rifapentine-based regimen over a longer course (6 or 9 months) of isoniazid for latent TB.
The treatment is oral, which means you take it by mouth. Depending on the formulation, you'll need to take it daily, twice a week, or weekly.
Active TB causes symptoms and is contagious. Treatment can take from 4 or 6 to 9 months, depending on the regimen.
The CDC recommends the following treatment regimens:
Rifapentine-moxifloxacin TB treatment regimen
This 4-month daily regimen consists of:
RIPE TB treatment regimens
There are several RIPE regimens, ranging from 6 to 9 months of treatment.
All TB treatment regimens have an intensive phase and a continuation phase. The intensive phase typically includes more drugs. You must complete both phases to finish your treatment course.
Antibiotics successfully treat most TB infections. But conventional antibiotic regimens aren't enough to cure some people. This is called drug-resistant TB. It happens when TB-causing bacteria become "immune" to one (mono-resistance) or more (multidrug resistance) types of antibiotics.
The CDC estimates that in 2020, resistance to isoniazid (one of the most common TB drugs) occurred in 456 newly diagnosed people in the United States. Multidrug resistance occurred in 56 people.
It's still possible to treat drug-resistant TB, but picking an effective regimen can be very challenging. It involves a combination of multiple antibiotics that depend on many complex factors.
If you have drug-resistant TB, your doctor might suggest one of the following:
Whether you have latent, active, or drug-resistant TB, it's crucial to complete your treatment course.
After taking antibiotics for 2 weeks, you'll likely feel better and may forget to take your medication. But if you don't complete your treatment or skip a dose, your TB may come back. Worse yet, bacteria may become resistant to treatment, limiting your options for recovery.
There are many products and services to help you keep track of your medications. Ask a doctor what to do if you miss a dose.
Antibiotics that doctors use to treat TB can cause potentially serious side effects, including liver damage. Be sure to report any unusual effects of medications to your doctor, especially:
Note that it's typical for rifampin and rifapentine to cause your urine to turn orange.
If your treatment involves isoniazid, you may experience peripheral neuropathy, especially if you're an older adult. To prevent this, a doctor may ask you to take vitamin B6.
Although anyone can get TB, treating certain groups can be more challenging. Let's discuss special considerations for the treatment of TB in some of these groups.
Pregnant people
If you're pregnant, untreated TB presents a risk to you and your baby. You should begin treatment immediately if you have active TB.
If you're pregnant and have latent TB, you can usually delay treatment until 2 to 3 months after delivery. But if you've had recent contact with someone with active TB or have other risk factors, you should begin treatment as soon as possible.
You should not take the following TB drugs during pregnancy:
Children
Babies and young children are at risk of developing life threatening forms of TB. It's important to follow appropriate treatment protocols to prevent these complications.
The CDC recommends treatment of latent TB infections with once-weekly isoniazid-rifapentine for 12 weeks.
Doctors usually treat active TB infections in kids with the same antibiotics used in adults. But the CDC does not recommend the 4-month rifapentine-moxifloxacin regimen for children who are younger than 12 years old or weigh less than 88 pounds.
If children are in constant close contact with someone with TB, like a parent or guardian, they may benefit from the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. Doctors don't usually recommend the BCG vaccine in the United States, but it's more common in regions where TB is more prevalent.
People with HIV
Although treating TB in people with HIV is similar to those without this condition, there are some key differences.
If you have HIV and TB (whether latent or active), the CDC recommends the following 6-month regimen:
Although TB can be fatal, effective antibiotic treatment can cure this infection. Depending on the type of your infection and the recommended regimen, your treatment can take from 3 to 9 months.
Whether you have latent or active TB, complete the treatment regimen your doctor prescribes. TB drugs can cause some potentially serious side effects. Be sure to report any unusual symptoms to your doctor right away.
Although TB treatment is generally similar for everyone, pregnant people, children, and those with HIV may need certain modifications.
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