Treatment of TB Flashcards
What are the 4 first line agents in the treatment of TB?
- Rifampicin - R
- Isoniazid - H
- Ethambutol - E
- Pyrazinamide - Z
What is considered the intensive phase of first line TB treatment?
Rifampicin + Isoniazid + Ethambutol + Pyrazinamide for 2 months
What is considered the continuation phase of first line TB treatment?
Isoniazid + Rifampicin for 4 months
What occurs during the intensive phase of treatment?
The intensive phase is to rapidly kill tubercle bacilli
Infectious patients become less infectious within 10-14 days
- Majority will become smear negative within 2 months
Who is first line TB treatment given to?
New patients that haven’t come into contact with resistant TB patients
What are the 2 main principles of TB treatment?
- Multi-drug therapy
2. Daily dosing
What are some of the extra-pulmonary TB types commonly seen?
TB meningitis, TB bones / joints, miliary TB
What is considered the intensive phase of extra-pulmonary TB treatment?
Rifampicin + Isoniazid + Ethambutol + Pyrazinamide for 2 months
What is considered the continuation phase of extra-pulmonary TB treatment?
Isoniazid + Rifampicin for 7 months
What is the mechanism of action of Isoniazid?
Inhibits cell wall synthesis - inhibits mycolic acid synthesis (mycobacterial cell wall component)
What is the mechanism of action of Ethambutol?
Inhibits cell wall synthesis - inhibits formation of mycobacterial cell wall by inhibiting arabinosyl transferase
What is the mechanism of action of Rifampicin?
Inhibits RNA synthesis - binds to the beta-unit of DNA dependent RNA polymerase
What is the mechanism of action of Pyrazinamide?
Exact target unclear (no known MOA)
- disrupts plasma membranes
- disrupts energy metabolism
How are doses calculated?
By weight
What is the main drug property of Isoniazid?
Bactericidal after 24 hours
- high potency: kills >90% bacilli in the first few days of treatment
What is the main drug property of Rifampicin?
Bactericidal within 1 hour
- high potency
What is the main drug property of Pyrazinamide?
Bactericidal with a low potency.
- Achieves its sterilizing action within 2-3 months
What is the main drug property of Ethambutol?
Bacteriostatic, low potency
- Minimizes the emergence of drug resistance
What are the target bacilli of Isoniazid?
Rapid and intermediate growing bacilli
What are the target bacilli of Rifampicin?
All populations including dormant bacilli
What are the target bacilli of Pyrazinamide?
Slow growing bacilli
What are the target bacilli of Ethambutol?
All bacterial populations
In what pH does Isoniazid work?
Alkaline and acid media
In what pH does Rifampicin work?
Alkaline and acid media
In what pH does Pyrazinamide work?
Acid medium
In what pH does Ethambutol work?
Alkaline and acid media
What is the site of action of Isoniazid?
Intracellular and extracellular
What is the site of action of Rifampicin?
Intracellular and extracellular
What is the site of action of Pyrazinamide?
Intracellular bacilli only macrophage
What is the site of action of Ethambutol?
Intracellular and extracellular
What form is Isoniazid given?
It is a given as a pro-drug and activated by mycobacterial KatG
What are the clinical uses of Isoniazid?
- Mycobacterium Tuberculosis treatment
- Non-tuberculosis mycobacteria
- Chemoprophylaxis of TB
What are the pharmacokinetics of isoniazid?
Undergoes first pass metabolism largely by acetylation
What drug interactions are seen with Isoniazid?
- antacids decrease absorption
- inhibits cytochrome P450 (increases plasma concentration of phenytoin / carbamazepine, warfarin)
How does resistance to Isoniazid develop?
KatG / InhA mutations
What are the pharmacokinetics of Rifampicin?
- highly protein bound
- half life: 2-5 hours
- rapid metabolism in liver (autoinduction, enterohepatic circulation)
What are the clinical uses of Rifampicin?
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Non-tuberculosis mycobacteria
- Leprosy, brucellosis, resistant staphylococcal infections
How does Rifampicin resistance develop?
Mutations in rpoB (beta subunit of RNA polymerase)
What drug interactions are seen with Rifampicin?
Inducer of CYTP450 enzymes: protease inhibitors, NNRTIs, warfarin, combined oral contraceptive, phenytoin, fluconazole, oral hypoglycaemics, theophylline, digoxin
= decreased efficacy of these drugs