Drug-Resistant TB

A patient may have drug-resistant TB (tuberculosis) if their tuberculosis cannot be treated by one or more of the standard tuberculosis medicines. Some people may even have multidrug-resistant TB, a condition in which the tuberculosis bacteria become resistant to two or more of the most important medicines: isoniazid and rifampin. Those infected with drug-resistant TB face more complications and will have to stay on medication for a much longer period of time.

 

An Introduction to Drug-Resistant TB

Some people with tuberculosis (TB) do not get better with tuberculosis treatment because their disease is caused by a TB strain that is resistant to one or more of the standard tuberculosis medicines. This is known as drug-resistant TB.
 

Who Drug-Resistant TB Affects

Drug-resistant TB is more common in people who:
 
  • Have spent time with someone with drug-resistant TB
  • Do not take their medicine regularly
  • Do not take all of their medicine as prescribed
  • Develop active TB again, after having taken TB medicine in the past
  • Come from areas where drug-resistant TB is common.
     

Multidrug-Resistant TB

Sometimes the tuberculosis bacteria become resistant to two or more of the most important medicines: isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (RIF). This is called multidrug-resistant TB. This is a very serious problem. People with multidrug-resistant TB must be treated with several antibiotics every day for up to 2 years. The bacteria must respond to at least 3 of these other antibiotics. These medicines are not as good as the usual medicines for TB, and they may cause more side effects. Also, most people with multidrug-resistant TB must see a TB expert who can closely observe their treatment to make sure it is working.
 
Even with this treatment, between four and six out of 10 patients with multidrug-resistant TB will die, which is the same rate seen with TB patients who are not treated.
 
(Drug-Resistant TB Continued: Page 2)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD