You may be a little scared when your doctor tells you that you have Tuberculosis (TB). But if you take the right medicine at the right time, you can completely cure this disease. In this treatment, you are not given just one medicine, but several medicines together. Today we are talking about a pill made by combining three of the most important medicines.
What are these medications?
This is actually a combination of three medications. They are Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, and Rifampin . All three of these are very powerful antibiotics that kill the TB germs. Simply put, what these medications do is attack the TB bacteria in your body and kill them.
The most important thing is that these medications are only for tuberculosis. They do not cure viral infections like the common cold or flu. Therefore, do not use them without a doctor's recommendation.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before starting this treatment, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. This medicine may interact with some medical conditions. If you have any of the following, be sure to tell your doctor.
- Diabetes: This medication may cause changes in blood sugar levels.
- Gout: This medication may increase joint pain.
- HIV or AIDS status: Some medications taken for this condition may interact with tuberculosis medications.
- Kidney or liver disease: This medication is eliminated from the body through the kidneys and liver, so if there are weaknesses in these organs, the dosage of the medication may need to be adjusted.
- Alcohol consumption: Regular alcohol consumption can increase the effects on the liver.
- Nutritional deficiencies: If someone is deficient in the nutrients their body needs, mention that as well.
- Nerve problems: If you have nerve problems, such as tingling in your fingertips.
- If you wear contact lenses: This medication may cause the tears to change color and stain the contact lenses.
- Allergies to other medications: If you have previously had an allergy to isoniazid, rifampin, rifabutin, or any other medication or food.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a mother who is breastfeeding.
Don't hide this information from your doctor, because all of this is important to him or her to provide you with the safest treatment possible.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
This is very simple, but very important.
1. Take on an empty stomach: This is the most important thing. You should take the medicine one hour before or two hours after a meal. Swallow the pill with a glass of water. That way, the medicine will be absorbed better.
2. Take your medicine at the same time every day: Try to take your medicine at the same time every day as much as possible. This will help keep the levels of the medicine in your body consistent.
3. Complete the prescribed course: You may feel better in a few days. But you must take the medicine for the full period prescribed by your doctor (6 months or more). Do not stop taking it halfway. If you do, the disease may return and bacteria may develop that are resistant to the medicine.
4. Do not take with antacids: If you are taking antacids for gastritis, take them at least an hour after taking your tuberculosis medicine.
5. If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at the same time.
6. If you take too much medicine: If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
These three types of medication can interact with many other medications. So tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking. That means medications for other illnesses, over-the-counter painkillers (e.g. Paracetamol), vitamins, traditional medicines, birth control pills, you need to tell them about everything.
In particular, be aware of the following:
- Birth control pills: This medication may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. So, if you are not planning to have a baby, talk to your doctor about using another form of birth control.
- Painkillers: If you take medications like Paracetamol frequently, the effects on the liver may increase.
- Diabetes medication: The dosage of diabetes medication may need to be changed as blood sugar levels may change.
- Medications that prevent blood clotting (e.g. Warfarin): The effectiveness of these may change.
Therefore, the best thing to do is to give your doctor a list of all the medications you take. Then he can plan your treatment so that you don't have any problems.
Things to be careful about when taking medication
Change in eyesight
Some people may experience changes in their vision while taking this medication. If you notice any changes, such as blurred vision or difficulty seeing colors , tell your doctor immediately.
Skin allergies
Sometimes serious skin allergies can occur. If you develop red, itchy, blistering skin, or peeling skin, along with a fever and swelling of the mouth and lips, seek medical attention immediately.
Possible effects on the liver
This medicine may affect the liver. If you have symptoms such as pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the eyes and skin, dark yellow/brown urine, or tarry stools , it may be affecting the liver. See a doctor immediately.
Vitamins
When taking this medication, the body's levels of vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) and vitamin D may decrease. Your doctor will often give you an additional vitamin pill for this.
Possible side effects of this medicine
Like any medicine, this one can have some side effects. Most of them are not serious, but there are some things we should be aware of.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms you may see |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
| Severe allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the eyes/skin, dark brown urine. |
| Bleeding | Vomiting that looks like coffee grounds, black or bloody stools, red/purple spots on the skin, and unexplained bruising. |
| Skin blistering/itching | Redness of the skin, including in the mouth, blisters, peeling skin, fever. |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Change in color of body fluids | Urine, sweat, saliva, and tears may turn red-orange. This is normal due to the Rifampin medication. Don't worry. |
| Other minor ailments | Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, dizziness, numbness in the limbs. |
Take-Home Message
- Tuberculosis can be completely cured. The most important thing is to take the medicine exactly for the full duration prescribed by the doctor.
- Always take this medicine on an empty stomach (one hour before or two hours after a meal).
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including birth control pills, painkillers).
- If you notice any changes in your vision, a severe skin reaction, or signs of liver disease (yellowing of the eyes/skin), seek medical advice immediately .
- It's normal for your urine and sweat to turn a reddish-orange color while taking medication. There's no need to worry about it.
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