BOX WARNING
WARNING :
Severe and sometimes fatal hepatitis associated with isoniazid therapy has been reported and may occur or may develop even after many months of treatment. The risk of developing hepatitis is age related. Approximate case rates by age are: less than 1 per 1,000 for persons under 20 years of age, 3 per 1,000 for persons in the 20-34 year age group, 12 per 1,000 for persons in the 35-49 year age group, 23 per 1,000 for persons in the 50-64 year age group, and 8 per 1,000 for persons over 65 years of age. The risk of hepatitis is increased with daily consumption of alcohol. Precise data to provide a fatality rate for isoniazid-related hepatitis is not available; however, in a U.S. Public Health Service Surveillance Study involving 13,838 persons taking isoniazid, there were 8 deaths among 174 cases of hepatitis.
Therefore, patients given isoniazid should be carefully monitored and interviewed at monthly intervals. For persons 35 and older, in addition to monthly symptom reviews, hepatic enzymes (specifically, AST and ALT (formerly SGOT and SGPT, respectively)) should be measured prior to starting isoniazid therapy and periodically throughout treatment. Isoniazid-associated hepatitis usually occurs during the first three months of treatment. Usually, enzyme levels return to normal despite continuance of drug, but in some cases progressive liver dysfunction occurs. Other factors associated with an increased risk of hepatitis include daily use of alcohol, chronic liver disease and injection drug use. A recent report suggests an increased risk of fatal hepatitis associated with isoniazid among women, particularly black and Hispanic women. The risk may also be increased during the post partum period. More careful monitoring should be considered in these groups, possibly including more frequent laboratory monitoring. If abnormalities of liver function exceed three to five times the upper limit of normal, discontinuation of isoniazid should be strongly considered. Liver function tests are not a substitute for a clinical evaluation at monthly intervals or for the prompt assessment of signs or symptoms of adverse reactions occurring between regularly scheduled evaluations.
Patients should be instructed to immediately report signs or symptoms consistent with liver damage or other adverse effects. These include any of the following: unexplained anorexia, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, icterus, rash, persistent paresthesias of the hands and feet, persistent fatigue, weakness or fever of greater than 3 days duration and/or abdominal tenderness, especially right upper quadrant discomfort. If these symptoms appear or if signs suggestive of hepatic damage are detected, isoniazid should be discontinued promptly, since continued use of the drug in these cases has been reported to cause a more severe form of liver damage.
Patients with tuberculosis who have hepatitis attributed to isoniazid should be given appropriate treatment with alternative drugs. If isoniazid must be reinstituted, it should be reinstituted only after symptoms and laboratory abnormalities have cleared. The drug should be restarted in very small and gradually increasing doses and should be withdrawn immediately if there is any indication of recurrent liver involvement.
Preventive treatment should be deferred in persons with acute hepatic diseases.
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ISONIAZID SUMMARY
ISONIAZID TABLETS, USP
Isoniazid is an antibacterial available as 100 mg or 300 mg tablets for oral administration.
Isoniazid is recommended for all forms of tuberculosis in which organisms are susceptible. However, active tuberculosis must be treated with multiple concomitant antituberculosis medications to prevent the emergence of drug resistance. Single-drug treatment of active tuberculosis with isoniazid, or any other medication, is inadequate therapy.
Isoniazid is recommended as preventive therapy for the following groups, regardless of age. (Note: the criterion for a positive reaction to a skin test (in millimeters of induration) for each group is given in parenthesis):
1. Persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (≥ 5 mm) and persons with risk factors for HIV infection whose HIV infection status is unknown but who are suspected of having HIV infection.
Preventive therapy may be considered for HIV infected persons who are tuberculin-negative but belong to groups in which the prevalence of tuberculosis infection is high. Candidates for preventive therapy who have HIV infection should have a minimum of 12 months of therapy.
2. Close contacts of persons with newly diagnosed infectious tuberculosis (≥ 5 mm). In addition, tuberculin-negative (< 5 mm) children and adolescents who have been close contacts of infectious persons within the past 3 months are candidates for preventive therapy until a repeat tuberculin skin test is done 12 weeks after contact with the infectious source. If the repeat skin test is positive (> 5 mm), therapy should be continued.
3. Recent converters, as indicated by a tuberculin skin test (≥ 10 mm increase within a 2-year period for those < 35 years old; ≥ 15 mm increase for those ≥ 35 years of age). All infants and children younger than 4 years of age with a > 10 mm skin test are included in this category.
4. Persons with abnormal chest radiographs that show fibrotic lesions likely to represent old healed tuberculosis (≥ 5 mm). Candidates for preventive therapy who have fibrotic pulmonary lesions consistent with healed tuberculosis or who have pulmonary silicosis should have 12 months of isoniazid or 4 months of isoniazid and rifampin, concomitantly.
5. Intravenous drug users known to be HIVseronegative (> 10 mm).
6. Persons with the following medical conditions that have been reported to increase the risk of tuberculosis (≥ 10 mm): silicosis; diabetes mellitus; prolonged therapy with adrenocorticosteroids; immunosuppressive therapy; some hematologic and reticuloendothelial diseases, such as leukemia or Hodgkin’s disease; end-stage renal disease; clinical situations associated with substantial rapid weight loss or chronic undernutrition (including: intestinal bypass surgery for obesity, the postgastrectomy state (with or without weight loss), chronic peptic ulcer disease, chronic malabsorption syndromes, and carcinomas of the oropharynx and upper gastrointestinal tract that prevent adequate nutritional intake). Candidates for preventive therapy who have fibrotic pulmonary lesions consistent with healed tuberculosis or who have pulmonary silicosis should have 12 months of isoniazid or 4 months of isoniazid and rifampin, concomitantly.
Additionally, in the absence of any of the above risk factors, persons under the age of 35 with a tuberculin skin test reaction of 10 mm or more are also appropriate candidates for preventive therapy if they are a member of any of the following high-incidence groups:
1. Foreign-born persons from high-prevalence countries who never received BCG vaccine.
2. Medically underserved low-income populations, including high-risk racial or ethnic minority populations, especially blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans.
3. Residents of facilities for long-term care (e.g., correctional institutions, nursing homes, and mental institutions).
Children who are less than 4 years old are candidates for isoniazid preventive therapy if they have > 10 mm induration from a PPD Mantoux tuberculin skin test.
Finally, persons under the age of 35 who a) have none of the above risk factors (1-6); b) belong to none of the high-incidence groups; and c) have a tuberculin skin test reaction of 15 mm or more, are appropriate candidates for preventive therapy.
The risk of hepatitis must be weighed against the risk of tuberculosis in positive tuberculin reactors over the age of 35. However, the use of isoniazid is recommended for those with the additional risk factors listed above (1-6) and on an individual basis in situations where there is likelihood of serious consequences to contacts who may become infected.
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NEWS HIGHLIGHTSMedia Articles Related to Isoniazid
Tuberculosis Pathogen Proteome Atlas Source: Health News from Medical News Today [2013.05.17] Photographers know the problem all too well: with the naked eye, you can see which branch a bird is sitting on, but spotting the bird in the blur of branches through the telephoto lens for high-magnification images requires considerable skill. It is a similar story for researchers who are looking to study proteins, the active biomolecules of cells. Olga Schubert, a doctoral student at ETH Zurich's Institute for Molecular Systems Biology, and her colleagues have now come up with a search aid...
Rapid, Accurate Diagnosis Of Tuberculosis And Other Bacterial Infections Using Portable Device Source: Medical Devices / Diagnostics News From Medical News Today [2013.05.08] A handheld diagnostic device that Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators first developed to diagnose cancer has been adapted to rapidly diagnose tuberculosis (TB) and other important infectious bacteria...
'Alarming' Rise Seen in Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Source: MedicineNet Tuberculosis Specialty [2012.08.31] Title: 'Alarming' Rise Seen in Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Category: Health News Created: 8/30/2012 2:05:00 PM Last Editorial Review: 8/31/2012 12:00:00 AM
Tuberculosis Source: MedicineNet Neutropenia Specialty [2011.07.22] Title: Tuberculosis Category: Diseases and Conditions Created: 12/31/1997 12:00:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 7/22/2011 12:00:00 AM
A Step Closer To Understanding Why Antibiotics Are Ineffective Against Certain Types Of Bacteria Source: MRSA / Drug Resistance News From Medical News Today [2013.04.26] Antibiotic resistance is a global problem. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that for tuberculosis alone multi-drug resistance accounts for more than 150,000 deaths each year. WHO warns of "a doomsday scenario of a world without antibiotics," in which antibiotic resistance will turn common infections into incurable killers and make routine surgeries a high-risk gamble...
Published Studies Related to Isoniazid
The pharmacogenetics of NAT2 enzyme maturation in perinatally HIV exposed infants
receiving isoniazid. [2012] The roles of the NAT2 genotype and enzyme maturation on isoniazid
pharmacokinetics were investigated in South African infants with perinatal HIV
exposure enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of isoniazid
for prevention of tuberculosis disease and latent infection.
Primary isoniazid prophylaxis against tuberculosis in HIV-exposed children. [2011.07.07] BACKGROUND: The dual epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis is a major cause of sickness and death in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of preexposure isoniazid prophylaxis against tuberculosis in HIV-infected children and uninfected children exposed to HIV during the perinatal period... CONCLUSIONS: Primary isoniazid prophylaxis did not improve tuberculosis-disease-free survival among HIV-infected children or tuberculosis-infection-free survival among HIV-uninfected children immunized with BCG vaccine. Despite access to antiretroviral therapy, the burden of tuberculosis remained high among HIV-infected children. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health and Secure the Future; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00080119.).
The impact of isoniazid preventive therapy and antiretroviral therapy on tuberculosis in children infected with HIV in a high tuberculosis incidence setting. [2011.06] BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children infected with HIV. Strategies to prevent TB in children include isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) and antiretroviral therapy (ART). IPT and ART have been reported to reduce TB incidence in adults but there are few studies in children. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the combined effect of IPT and ART on TB risk in children infected with HIV... CONCLUSIONS: The finding that IPT may offer additional protection in children on ART has significant public health implications because this offers a possible strategy for reducing TB in children infected with HIV. Widespread use of this strategy will however require screening of children for active TB disease. Trial registration Trial registration-Clinical Trials NCT00330304.
The Pharmacogenetics of NAT2 Enzyme Maturation in Perinatally HIV Exposed Infants Receiving Isoniazid. [2011.05.10] The roles of the NAT2 genotype and enzyme maturation on isoniazid pharmacokinetics were investigated in South African infants with perinatal HIV exposure enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of isoniazid for prevention of tuberculosis disease and latent infection.
6-month versus 36-month isoniazid preventive treatment for tuberculosis in adults with HIV infection in Botswana: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. [2011.05.07] BACKGROUND: In accordance with WHO guidelines, people with HIV infection in Botswana receive daily isoniazid preventive therapy against tuberculosis without obtaining a tuberculin skin test, but duration of prophylaxis is restricted to 6 months. We aimed to assess effectiveness of extended isoniazid therapy... INTERPRETATION: In a tuberculosis-endemic setting, 36 months' isoniazid prophylaxis was more effective for prevention of tuberculosis than was 6-month prophylaxis in individuals with HIV infection, and chiefly benefited those who were tuberculin skin test positive. FUNDING: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and US Agency for International Development. Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Clinical Trials Related to Isoniazid
Short-Course Isoniazid and Rifampin Compared With Isoniazid for Latent Tuberculosis Infection [Terminated]
The objective of the study was to compare the compliance and the side effects of a short
course to treatment of latent tuberculosis infection during 3 months(isoniazid plus
rifampin)group I, with the standard course for 6 months(isoniazid)group II .Prospective,
comparative, randomized and open trial of patients with positive TST and the suitable
criteria for treatment, in accordance with the guidelines of the CDC, excluding HIV
infection. 105 patients were included. In Conclusion, a short course with isoniazid plus
rifampin during 3 months shown better compliance with a lower percentage of abandonment that
the course 6H. Tolerance is similar in the two courses.
TBTC Study 24: Intermittent Treatment of TB With Isoniazid Resistance or Intolerance [Active, not recruiting]
This study is a prospective, open-label, nonrandomized trial using a largely-intermittent,
six-month tuberculosis treatment regimen among patients who will not receive isoniazid due to
the presence of initial isoniazid resistance or intolerance. Subjects are enrolled after
resistance or intolerance to isoniazid has been documented, and are treated for a total of
six months (nine months if baseline chest x-ray shows cavitation and 2-month sputum culture
is positive) with twice weekly or thrice weekly rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide.
Isoniazid Dose Adjustment According to NAT2 Genotype (IDANAT2) [Recruiting]
The study is conducted to compare safety and efficacy of isoniazid administered as an
adjusted dose based on NAT2 (arylamine N-acetyltransferase type 2)genotype and as a standard
dose.
The hypothesis is that the genotype-adjusted dose is superior to the standard dose with
regard to hepatotoxicity and early treatment failure, respectively, in the group of slow and
rapid acetylators of NAT2.
TBTC Study 23A: Pharmacokinetics of Intermittent Isoniazid and Rifabutin in HIV-TB [Completed]
Primary Objectives:
1) To determine the proportion of patients with HIV-related tuberculosis who have abnormal
pharmacokinetic parameters for isoniazid and rifabutin.
Secondary Objectives:
1. To determine risk factors for abnormal pharmacokinetic parameters for isoniazid and
rifabutin.
2. To evaluate the correlation between pharmacokinetic parameters of isoniazid and
rifabutin and the occurrence of toxicity attributed to antituberculous therapy.
3. To evaluate the correlation between pharmacokinetic parameters of isoniazid and
rifabutin and the efficacy of TB therapy.
4. To define and correlate phenotypic INH acetylator status with the results of genotypic
acetylator data obtained in the parent trial.
High-Dose Isoniazid Adjuvant Therapy for Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis [Completed]
The need for a standardized treatment protocol for multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
in resource-limited countries is being increasingly recognized. This single center, double
blind, randomized controlled trial was designed to compare the time required for sputum
culture conversion and extent of radiological improvement in cases of MDR pulmonary
tuberculosis when isoniazid was included (both at a regular dose and at a high dose) as an
adjuvant to the standardized second line of treatment. The study was designed to test the
hypothesis that inclusion of high-dose isoniazid will enhance the effectiveness of the second
line of treatment in cases of MDR-TB without significantly increasing the toxicity.
Reports of Suspected Isoniazid Side Effects
Hepatic Function Abnormal (30),
Pyrexia (28),
Acute Hepatic Failure (26),
Liver Disorder (20),
Alanine Aminotransferase Increased (18),
Hepatitis (17),
Jaundice (16),
Aspartate Aminotransferase Increased (15),
Drug Rash With Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (13),
Cough (12), more >>
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PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTSBased on a total of 1 ratings/reviews, Isoniazid has an overall score of 7. The effectiveness score is 10 and the side effect score is 10. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst.
| | Isoniazid review by 28 year old female patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | |           |
| Effectiveness: | | Highly Effective |
| Side effects: | | No Side Effects | | | Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | Tuberculosis |
| Dosage & duration: | | 150 mg taken 1/day for the period of 6 months |
| Other conditions: | | none |
| Other drugs taken: | | None | | | Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | While I did not have active Tuberculosis, I had tested positive. Taking Isoniazid will prevent a future case of Tuberculosis from developing. |
| Side effects: | | None, although liver screenings were required, and I could not drink alcohol. I also was encouraged to take B12 supplements. |
| Comments: | | After testing positive for Tuberculosis, my Dr. prescribed a 6 month course of Isoniazid. |
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Page last updated: 2013-05-17
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