6
Treatment
Table 1. Drug Regimens for Microbiologically Confirmed
Pulmonary Tuberculosis Caused by Drug-
Susceptible Organisms
Regimen
Intensive Phase Continuation Phase
Drug
a
Interval and
Dose
b
(Minimum
Duration) Drugs
Interval and
Dose
b,c
(Minimum
Duration)
Range of
Total Doses
1 INH
RIF
PZA
EMB
7 d/wk for 56
doses (8 wk)
OR
5 d/wk for 40
doses (8 wk)
INH
RIF
7 d/wk for 126
doses (18 wk
OR
5 d/wk for 90 doses
(18 wk)
182–130
2 INH
RIF
PZA
EMB
INH
RIF
3 times weekly for
54 doses (18 wk)
110–94
3 INH
RIF
PZA
EMB
3 times weekly for
24 doses (8 wk)
INH
RIF
78
4 INH
RIF
PZA
EMB
7 d/wk for 14
doses then twice
weekly for 12
doses
e
INH
RIF
Twice weekly for 36
doses (18 wk)
62
a
Other combinations may be appropriate in certain circumstances; additional details are provided in
the section "Recommended Treatment Regimens" in the full text Guidelines.
b
When DOT is used, drugs may be given 5 days per week and the necessary number of doses
adjusted accordingly. Although there are no studies that compare 5 with 7 daily doses, extensive
experience indicates this would be an effective practice. DOT should be used when drugs are
administered <7 days per week.
c
Based on expert opinion, patients with cavitation on initial chest radiograph and positive cultures at
completion of 2 months of therapy should receive a 7-month (31-week) continuation phase.
d
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6), 25–50 mg/day, is given with INH to all persons at risk of neuropathy
(eg, pregnant women; breastfeeding infants; persons with HIV; patients with diabetes, alcoholism,
malnutrition, or chronic renal failure; or patients with advanced age). For patients with peripheral
neuropathy, experts recommend increasing pyridoxine dose to 100 mg/day.
e
(See Cohn DL et al. Ann Intern Med. 1990; 112:407–415.) Alternatively, some US tuberculosis
control programs have administered intensive-phase regimens 5 days per week for 15 doses (3
weeks), then twice weekly for 12 doses.
