Isoniazid (INH) safe and well tolerated. However, as with any medicine, the tablets sometimes cause side The course of isoniazid (INH) is given for 9 effects. The doctor, health worker or nurse months. INH can occasionally cause should be told immediately if any unexplained hepatitis (liver inflammation) so a liver illness develops or if any of the following function blood test will be done before starting symptoms occur: treatment. INH is not recommended for people with liver disease or for those who consume Upset stomach alcohol regularly and heavily. It is very Loss of appetite important that a person avoid/minimise Nausea drinking alcohol while taking INH as Vomiting alcohol increases the risk of serious liver Skin rash/itch damage. Yellowish skin or eyes Dark urine (coca cola coloured) Rifampicin Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet A 4 month course of rifampicin is sometimes Fever lasting 3 days or more. prescribed for patients who are unable to take INH. This treatment needs to be given under Close follow up direct supervision, usually by a health care Some patients may be unable to take any of worker. Patients taking rifampicin should note the LTBI medications and need to be followed that a pink-orange discolouration of bodily up closely by the TB clinic. These patients will fluids (e.g. urine, sweat, tears) is expected. have a review by a doctor and chest x-rays at Contact lenses and clothes may be 6, 18 and 30 months after their first permanently stained. Rifampicin also makes appointment. all forms of oral contraception and implants (implanon) less effective, so women of child Further information bearing age should discuss other contraception choices with their doctor. For further information contact the TB Clinic in your region Drug Duration Alice Springs 8951 7548 Isoniazid* 9 months Darwin 8922 8804 Rifampicin 4 months Katherine 8973 9049 * A vitamin B6 supplement (pyridoxine) is also Nhulunbuy 8987 0282 given with isoniazid Tennant Creek 8962 4259 Medication side effects Treatment for LTBI has been taken by millions Or www.nt.gov.au/health/cdc of people around the world and is generally
Isoniazid (INH) The course of isoniazid (INH) is given for 9 months. INH can occasionally cause hepatitis (liver inflammation) so a liver function blood test will be done before starting treatment. INH is not recommended for people with liver disease or for those who consume alcohol regularly and heavily. It is very important that a person avoid/minimise drinking alcohol while taking INH as alcohol increases the risk of serious liver damage. Rifampicin A 4 month course of rifampicin is sometimes prescribed for patients who are unable to take INH. This treatment needs to be given under direct supervision, usually by a health care worker. Patients taking rifampicin should note that a pink-orange discolouration of bodily fluids (e.g. urine, sweat, tears) is expected. Contact lenses and clothes may be permanently stained. Rifampicin also makes all forms of oral contraception and implants (implanon) less effective, so women of child bearing age should discuss other contraception choices with their doctor. Drug Duration Isoniazid* 9 months Rifampicin 4 months * A vitamin B6 supplement (pyridoxine) is also given with isoniazid Medication side effects Treatment for LTBI has been taken by millions of people around the world and is generally safe and well tolerated. However, as with any medicine, the tablets sometimes cause side effects. The doctor, health worker or nurse should be told immediately if any unexplained illness develops or if any of the following symptoms occur: Upset stomach Loss of appetite Nausea Vomiting Skin rash/itch Yellowish skin or eyes Dark urine (coca cola coloured) Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet Fever lasting 3 days or more. Close follow up Some patients may be unable to take any of the LTBI medications and need to be followed up closely by the TB clinic. These patients will have a review by a doctor and chest x-rays at 6, 18 and 30 months after their first appointment. Further information For further information contact the TB Clinic in your region Alice Springs 8951 7548 Darwin 8922 8804 Katherine 8973 9049 Nhulunbuy 8987 0282 Tennant Creek 8962 4259 Or www.nt.gov.au/health/cdc