I was diagones with active pulmonary TB about 7 months back. I was not well for about 2 months, but am doing good since then. I am currently taking medicines regularly, as per the doctors advice. But, wanted to know how long will I have to take it? Also, is there any way/test to know when to stop medicines, even if I am feeling good.
2006-10-08 07:10:43 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
A two-month course of therapy to prevent active tuberculosis (TB) is an effective alternative to the year-long regimen currently prescribed for persons co-infected with HIV and TB bacteria, a five-year international study has found.
Once a day dosing with INH has been shown to decrease the incidence of active TB by at least 60%. The major side affects are hepatitis (increasing risk with increasing age) and the development of drug resistant organisms if the drug is taken in a haphazard manner.
INH is as effective if given for 6 months as it is for 12 months. It is recommended pediatric patients receive 9 months of treatment.
INH is not indicated if there has been previous treatment of TB or if there are any history of reactions to INH or any active liver disease.
Monitoring consists of measuring SGOT(liver enzymes) but more importantly the patient must be instructed to stop INH if there is unexplained nausea, anorexia, fatigue, fever or RUQ pain. If SGOT is greater than 5 times predicted the drug must be stopped.
So the long winded answer is 2 months, if you don't have HIV. Get your liver enzymes checked and take all your medication. Keep an official record of your having taken the INH, as all your TB tests in the future will be positive and you want to prove you have taken the medication, or they will insist you take another course.
Good luck!
2006-10-08 08:46:09 · answer #1 · answered by erlifesaver 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It normally takes 6 to 7 months to go through and finish the medication for TB and then they will do a Xray or a skin test to determine if the TB is knocked out or if medication needs to continue. The medication should never ever be stoped before it is finished the whole 6 months even if the person is feeling better. It is like putting a bandaid on s gun shot wound. It needs the full treatment time to do any good.
2006-10-08 07:17:11 · answer #2 · answered by melindarix@sbcglobal.net 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Normally 6 mos. I would not have to repeat what the others have said but i'd advise you to continue your meds even when you feel better. Compliance can be a problem in the long run but im telling you, f you stop, the bacteria will grow resistant to the medicines. If you advance to the next TB level, you'd be taking meds for the rest of your life.:) So, be strong and willful. I pray you all the best.
2006-10-08 20:27:10 · answer #3 · answered by yellow_hubble 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would have been told how long to take the meds. Normally they are taken from 6 to 12 months and are not stopped early. I strongly urge you to contact your doctor and find out how long she/he wants you on your meds. There is no way I, or anyone else here, can know what your doctor told you or what your doctor has in mind.
2006-10-08 07:17:38 · answer #4 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At least a year regardless of how you feel or until your doctor says stop.
2006-10-08 08:17:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋