Side Effects of Drugs During Treatment of Tuberculosis
Isoniazid
Common side effects: Hepatitis, peripheral neuropathy
Uncommon side effects: Cutaneous reactions, arthralgia, drug induced lupus, optic neuritis, convulsions, mental symptoms aplastic anaemia, haemolytic anaemia agranulocytosis, gynaecomastia.
Rifampicin
Common side effects: Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, hepatitis
Uncommon side effects: Anaemia, cutaneous reaction, flue like syndrome, shortness of breath, acute renal failure, shock, thrombocytopaenic purpura, haemolytic anaemia.
Pyrazinamide
Common side effects: Arthralgia (21 percent cases) hepatitis, anorexia, nausea, vomiting.
Uncommon side effects: Cutaneous reaction, hyperuricemia, sideroblastic anaemia.
Ethambutol
Common side effects: Retrobulbar neuritis, arthralga
Uncommon side effects: Cutaneous reactions, peripheral neuropathy.
Streptomycin
Common side effects: Cutaneous reactions, auditory and vestibular toxicity resulting in giddiness, numbness and tinnitus.
Uncommon side effects: Vertigo, ataxia and deafness-if streptomycin is continued despite early symptoms
Stop immediately and don’t reuse in case following reactions occur
- Rifampicin – Acute haemolytic anaemia, shock, acute renal failure or thrombocytopaenic purpura.
- Ethambutol – Retrobulbar neuritis.
- Streptomycin – Deafness or ataxia.
- Thiacetazone – Severe skin rashes or agranulocytosis.

