TB Treatment Essentials: Navigating First-Line Drugs and Nursing Priorities

In this episode, we break down the pharmacological management of tuberculosis (TB) with a clear focus on drug regimens, safety monitoring, and strategies to improve adherence. We’ll review the four cornerstone first-line drugs—isoniazid (INH), rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol—highlighting their mechanisms, clinical uses, and adverse effects, such as INH-induced neuropathy and ethambutol-associated optic neuritis. You’ll also learn the critical role of laboratory monitoring, including liver function tests (AST/ALT) and renal monitoring, to prevent serious complications like hepatitis. Finally, we’ll explore Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) as a gold-standard approach to ensure treatment completion and reduce drug resistance, underscoring the nurse’s responsibility in patient education, adherence, and safety.