A patient with pulmonary tuberculosis completes the 2-month initiation phase of rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. What does the standard UK regimen use for the continuation phase?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Rifampicin and isoniazid for a further 4 months
- Step 1: Drug-susceptible pulmonary TB is treated with four drugs initially and two drugs later, for 6 months in total. Step 2. Pyrazinamide and ethambutol are dropped after the first 2 months, leaving rifampicin and isoniazid for 4 months, with pyridoxine alongside isoniazid. Answer: Rifampicin and isoniazid for a further 4 months. Why not the others: Continuing pyrazinamide for 4 months adds toxicity without benefit. Isoniazid with ethambutol for 10 months is an outdated, longer regimen. Ethambutol with pyrazinamide omits the two key sterilising drugs.
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