[Report on side effects of antituberculous agents].
OBJECTIVE
To illustrate the side effects of antituberculous agents and the principles to cope with them.


METHODS
Various side effects resulting from antituberculous agents were confirmed directly or indirectly in 62 cases. The distribution, time of presentation, and manifestation of the side effects were observed and analyzed.


RESULTS
Allergic reaction showed highest frequency in 37 cases (60%). Serious side effects, which were mainly caused by rifamycin agents, occurred within 2 hours after administration. Overdosage tended to increase the occurrence of side effects. Different agents might result in serious side effects at the same time or in succession.


CONCLUSIONS
Once serious side effects appear, the agents causing the effects must be stopped and suitable remedies should be introduced immediately or the consequences might be disastrous. Repeated use of rifamycin agents may aggravate allergic reaction, thus detailed history of previous treatments must be recorded. For patients with hepatitis, allergy history, alcoholics and weak senile patients, close observation is required during the process of treatment. For patients allergic to more than one drug, no matter the reaction is serious or not, the principle is to stop the used drugs and introduce desensitization therapy immediately. If the allergen is to be identified, the testing dosage should be less than 10 per cent of the original dosage, along with prepared procedures for emergen tresale. Repeated tests are not suggested for patients with serious allergic reaction.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012294:Rifamycins / Q000009:adverse effects
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D012294:Rifamycins