Active Tuberculosis (Cont.)

Treatment Options for Active Tuberculosis

Active tuberculosis treatment can be as long as 12 months. The treatment involves taking several different antibiotics.
 
The most common medicines used for active tuberculosis treatment are:
 
  • Isoniazid (INH)
  • Rifampin (RIF)
  • Ethambutol
  • Pyrazinamide.
     
Taking several medicines will do a better job of killing all of the bacteria and preventing them from becoming resistant to the medicines (see Drug-Resistant TB).
 
If you have active tuberculosis of the lungs or throat, you are probably infectious. You need to stay home from work or school so that you don't spread the TB bacteria to other people. After a few weeks of active tuberculosis treatment, you will feel better, and you may no longer be infectious to others. Your doctor or nurse will tell you when you can return to work or school or visit with friends.
 
(Click Tuberculosis Treatment for more information about the treatments for tuberculosis. Click Tuberculosis Medications for more information about the specific medications for active tuberculosis.)
 
Pages:

Previous 1   2   3

Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD