Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that most frequently attacks a person's lungs, according to the Mayo Clinic. It's spread from one person to another when an infected person releases minute droplets of saliva into the air by coughing or sneezing. Each year, nearly two million people throughout the world die of tuberculosis, mostly in Africa and Asia.
Isoniazid (Nydrazid)
According to Drugs.com, isoniazid is an intravenous and oral prescription antibiotic that can treat and prevent tuberculosis. It's used alone or in combination with other drugs at a dose of 300mg once a day. Combination therapy lasts for six months; standalone treatment should continue for nine months. Patients should receive the full therapy with isoniazid even if they begin to feel better before the bacteria is completely destroyed, and they should avoid alcoholic beverages while the treatment regimen is in progress. Liver damage is a side effect of isoniazid, and alcohol increases a patient's risk that it will occur, says Drugs.com. Symptoms of liver damage include weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and yellow skin or eyes. Patients who have these symptoms should contact their doctor right away. Other side effects include seizures, blurred vision, and confusion or abnormal behavior.
Rifampin (Rifadin)
Rifampin is an oral and intravenous prescription drug that can treat tuberculosis when used in combination with other medicines, according to the Mayo Clinic. Adults and older children take 600mg once a day for one to two years. The patient must follow through on the entire course of treatment in order to completely clear up the tuberculosis infection. Rifampin may decrease white blood cell count, which leads to increased risk of infection. It can also lower the patient's blood platelet count, resulting in bleeding gums and a tendency to bruise easily. Other side effects may include stomach cramps, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, and skin rash and redness.
Pyrazinamide (Generic Only)
Medline Plus, a website of the National Institutes of Health, describes pyrazinamide as a prescription medication that can destroy the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. Patients take pyrazinamide as a tablet once a day in combination with other medications. This drug makes the skin sensitive to sunlight, so patients who must be out in the sun should use sunscreen, wear sunglasses and a hat, and keep their exposure to a minimum. Other side effects may include fatigue and upset stomach.
Ethambutol (Myambutol)
According to the Monthly Prescribing Reference, ethambutol is a prescription medication that can treat pulmonary tuberculosis in combination with other antituberculosis drugs. Adult patients take this drug once a day at a dose of 1 mg per kilogram of body weight. Optic neuritis, which is inflammation of the optic nerve, is a side effect of ethambutol therapy, so doctors should test the patient's vision before treatment begins and at regular intervals during treatment. Optic neuritis causes pain and temporary loss of vision. Other side effects of ethambutol may include inflammation of the skin, itching, joint pain, fever, headache, dizziness and confusion.
