title: The tolerability and efficacy of a 6-month antituberculosis regimen containing rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide.
abstract: The tolerability and efficacy of a 6-month daily regimen of rifampicin (RMP), isoniazid (INH) and pyrazinamide (PZA) were tested in 130 hospitalized patients, mostly Black, with previously untreated pulmonary tuberculosis. PZA was discontinued at the end of the 2nd month. In 6 cases treatment was discontinued because of drug intolerance. The symptoms were severe rash, mild thrombocytopenia, deteriorating haematological and renal condition and in the remaining 3 patients hyperbilirubinaemia. Of the 125 patients who could be assessed bacteriologically, 110 were infected with organisms which were fully susceptible to INH and RMP, and 95% of their cultures and 77% of their smears had converted to negative after 2 months of treatment. Similar results were obtained for all but 2 of the 15 patients with drug-resistant bacilli. Cavitation of the lungs was reduced in 78% of the patients and the extent of other tuberculous lesions diminished in 87%.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011718:Pyrazinamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D011718:Pyrazinamide; D007538:Isoniazid; D012293:Rifampin