title: An update on repurposed medications for the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis.
abstract: Drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis are a major public health problem with a serious global impact. Although there have recently been two new drugs introduced for the treatment of drug-resistant TB (bedaquiline and delamanid), the current therapeutic armamentarium is limited. Because treatment of drug-resistant TB requires the use of a multidrug-regimen, there has been growing interest in the use of antibiotics developed for other infectious pathogens but that have shown efficacy in the treatment of TB. Areas covered: This paper will review these 're-purposed' agents - including the beta-lactams, clarithromycin, clofazimine, the fluoroquinolones, and linezolid - with a focus on their efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetic properties. Expert commentary: There is growing evidence on the efficacy and safety of repurposed drugs for the treatment of drug-resistant TB, supporting their program-wide inclusion in treatment regimens as recommended in revised WHO guidelines. However, additional work is needed to define optimum dosing as well as describe their role in regimen optimization.
authors.affiliation: a Clinical Services Department , University Research Corporation, LLC , Mbabane , Swaziland.
authors.forename: Arnold
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mafukidze
authors.affiliation: b U.S. Military HIV Research Program , Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine , Bethesda , MD , USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Harausz
authors.affiliation: c Department of Global Health and Social Medicine , Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Furin
keywords: Tuberculosis; beta lactams; clarithromycin; clofazimine; drug resistance; fluoroquinolones; linezolid; repurposed drugs