Anti-Tubercular Drugs Flashcards
Bacteria that Causes Tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Conveyed by droplets
Slow-growing organisms
Main Symptoms of Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Hemoptysis, chest pain, cough, night sweats, appetite loss, fatigue
Diagnosis of Tuberculosis
Step 1: Tuberculosis Skin Test (Mantoux test)–if redness is greater than 10mm after 48-72 hours, it is indicative of TB
Step 2: Chest x-ray if results are positive
Step 3: If chest x-ray is positive, culture the sputum or stomach secretions
Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG)
Vaccine derived from an inactivated strain of Mycobacterium bovis
Used in 3rd world countries, does not prevent infection
CAN CAUSE FALSE POSITIVE RESULTS ON THE TUBERCULIN SKIN TEST
Incidences
INCREASING NUMBER OF MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS CASES
Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis
TB affects 1/3 of the world’s population
Resistant to INH and rifampin
XDR-TB is of special concern for patients who have AIDS or are otherwise immunocompromised
Bedaquiline (Sirturo) is the first drug in 40 years to treat TB with a new mechanism of action
Antitubercular Drug Therapy Considerations
Major effects of drug therapy include reduction of cough and therefore reduction of infectiousness
Normally occurs within 2 weeks of the initiation of drug therapy
Successful treatment includes several antibiotic drugs for at least 6 months
ALWAYS INCLUDE TWO OR MORE DRUGS
First-Line Drugs
Isoniazid (INH) and Rifampin
Adverse Effects of INH
Peripheral neuropathy and hepatotoxicity
Adverse Effects of Rifampin
Hepatitis, discoloration of urine, stools, and other body fluids
Ethambutol
Not used very often due to its adverse effects of retrobulbar neuritis and blindness
Nursing Implications
PATIENTS SHOULD NOT CONSUME ALCOHOL WHILE ON THESE MEDICATIONS
RIFAMPIN CAUSES ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES TO BECOME INEFFECTIVE
