The 6 Most Used Medications To Treat Tuberculosis!
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis , also known as Koch’s bacillus, named after Robert Koch, the German physician who identified the bacterium. The disease is very famous for its pulmonary involvement (pulmonary tuberculosis ), but few know that several other organs of the body can also be infected by tuberculosis , such as skin, kidneys, lymph nodes, bones , brain, etc.
Since the emergence of the HIV/AIDS (AIDS) pandemic in the 1980s, tuberculosis infection has once again become a major concern, as immunosuppressed patients are very susceptible to Koch’s bacillus. So, now check out the 6 Most Used Medications To Treat Tuberculosis. Only a doctor can tell you which drug is best for you.
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Drugs To Treat Tuberculosis: The drugs most commonly used to treat tuberculosis are:
- Fenotero hydrobromide.
- Ethambutol.
- Ethionamide.
- Isoniazid.
- Pyrazinamide.
- Rifampicin.
Only a doctor can tell you which drug is most suitable for you, as well as the correct dosage and duration of treatment. Always follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter and NEVER self-medicate. Do not stop using the drug without consulting a doctor first, and if you take it more than once or in much larger amounts than prescribed, follow the instructions on the package insert.
Remedies have Side Effects (Unwanted Reactions or Effects): Yes, they are not frequent but they can occur. The medicines sometimes cause nausea, vomiting, indisposition and general malaise. But, even if this happens, the medication should not be stopped , because this is often solved with very simple measures, which will be indicated by the health professionals responsible for the treatment of the patient.
There is no justification for stopping treatment, unless expressly directed by the doctor. Therefore, when feeling something, the person should immediately seek their doctor. Heads up! Having red colored urine during treatment is an expected effect and is not a problem. The color of the stool may also change.
How Long Are Medicines Used: The time required for the treatment of tuberculosis is usually six months.
You Must Quit Smoking: It is advisable for the patient to stop smoking, which ultimately improves their health as a whole. But if the person is unable to stop smoking at all, he should continue to take the medication and notify the accompanying doctor about this.
It is necessary to buy medicines: No, tuberculosis medicines are distributed free ofcharge at the Health Posts in your municipality.
Can Pregnant Women Get Tuberculosis Treatment: Yes, because the drugs are usually safe. The pregnant woman undergoing treatment for tuberculosis should clarify doubts about her condition and the possible effects of the drugs on the baby, with the doctor responsible for the treatment. The mother who has already had her baby can breastfeed normally. If she is still at the beginning of the disease and can still transmit it by coughing, she should be guided by a doctor on how to do it. The baby must have a special accompaniment.
How the Medicines Should Be Taken: They are taken preferably in the morning, on an empty stomach. But, in some special situations, the doctor can guide other ways of taking the medicines.
You Must Stop Drinking Alcoholic Beverages: Yes, you cannot take the medication and continue to drink alcohol (beer, whiskey, cachaça, cognac and others), as there is a risk of serious complications, such as hepatitis. But, there are people who have a great dependence on alcohol (can’t stop drinking). In this case, talk about this with the doctor who is monitoring the case and do not stop taking the medication, unless instructed to do so.
Informing the Medicines You Are Using: It is very important that the patient informs the doctor about the medicines they are using. For example, “red” drugs can reduce the effectiveness of the birth control pill. All doubts regarding medications should be clarified with the doctor accompanying the patient.
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How to Know if Tuberculosis Is Cured: Only the doctor can assess whether the patient is cured or not. Often, the patient improves after a month of treatment (the fever disappears , the appetite improves, there is weight gain ) and abandons the treatment. This is totally wrong, because the treatment lasts for 6 months.