Isoniazide and Tuberculosis?

Question

I actually have a couple of questions...

First, What is the difference in taking 300 milligrams of Isoniazid once each day from taking 900 milligrams twice a week? I'm also on 100 or 150 milligrams of Vitamin B6.

Second, I'm not looking for websites, I'm looking for personal experience. Has anyone that has had to take Isoniazid had any adverse side effects? If so, what kind? Please only personal experience.

I'm asking this based on a nonactive tuberculosis case

Answer 1

I agree with the above answer.

I, too, am an RN and I had to take Isoniazid (INH) for 9 months after I tested with a +PPD.

I had no side effects from taking INH other than a little nausea for the first couple of weeks. You do need to get your blood tested frequently (like once a month) for liver functions because INH can be damaging to your liver.

Answer 2

300mg isoniazid daily is the preferred dose because you need a constant level of medication in your blood, not high amounts 2 times per week, that will not cure the infection but make it resistant to the isoniazid. If you are taking it to prevent an infection or for a potential infection(you do not have active infection) you do not need rifampin, that combination is only indicated for active infection. There is no problem with the B6.

I took it for 6 months after being exposed to a patient with active infection and had no bad side effects.

Answer 3

The difference between taking small frequent doses and large infrequent doses is absorption. Large doses are not fully metabolized, you lose most of the medication and the tb bacillus then becomes resistant to the drug. Most doctors now agree that isoniazide and rifampin should be used in concert to beat the bacillus. I suggest that if you are not taking both, you need to find another doctor and get started on both drugs, or you risk developing a resistant strain.

Answer 4

Hi -- Can't help on the first question but on the second ... no side effects and I took it for 9 months. However, and I'm sure your pharmacist told you this, you must avoid nitrites and nitrates, so no old cheeses, aged/preserved meats, deli things like salami. It'll be a lackluster few months, but it is way better to be safe than sorry.