TB is treated using 4 TB medicines namely

• Rifampicin,
• Isoniazid,
• Pyrazinamide and
• Ethambutol

In a fresh case of TB, for initial 2 months these 4 drugs are prescribed followed by Rifampicin and Isoniazid for 4 months. The treatment regimen and duration differs depending on the severity and the type of the disease. In more severe cases other anti-TB medicines may be added.

These drugs are available only on prescription of a physician.

Consequences if the treatment is not followed

If the proper treatment is not followed it can worsen the patient’s condition. Then the TB bacteria may develop the resistance to one or more TB drugs prescribed (Multi drug resistant Tuberculosis)

What is DOTS?

DOTS is Directly Observed Therapy Short-course. It is the internationally recommended strategy for TB Control.

The DOTS strategy emphasizes on the completion of treatment and thereby cure of the patient. By doing so, it stops TB at the source, and prevents the spread of the disease, the development of MDR-TB, and complications of TB, relapse and death.