ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the guidance on options for treatment recommended by established national and international organizations. Generally, practitioners should follow the guidelines specified by the organization that represents the geographical location of the treatment facility. The usual therapy for drug-sensitive tuberculosis (TB) comprises four drugs for 2 months, dropping ethambutol once the organism is known to be sensitive to isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide; then continuing maintenance isoniazid and rifampin for 4 months. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis can be treated, according to the World Health Organization, without injectable agents in a regimen that usually lasts for at least 18 months. Pretomanid was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as part of a three-drug regimen to treat highly resistant TB. Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis is defined as resistance to isoniazid and rifampin, a fluoroquinolone, and one of the following three injectable agents: amikacin, kanamycin, or capreomycin.
