- Pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB
- Continuation phase (after initial 2 months of RHZE)
- Intensive phase when pyrazinamide is not tolerated
- TB in patients with liver disease (with caution)
- Typical Adult Dosage (weight-based FDC):
- 30–37 kg:2 tablet
- 38–54 kg:3 tablets
- 55–70 kg:4 tablets
- >70 kg:5 tablets
- Once daily, usually for 4 months (continuation phase)
- Administered on an empty stomach, in the morning
- Rifampicin: 150 mg
- Isoniazid: 75 mg
- Ethambutol: 275 mg
- Take on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals)
- Avoid antacids around the time of dosing
- Take with vitamin B6 to prevent isoniazid-induced neuropathy
- Rifampicin: Bactericidal; inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase
- Isoniazid: Bactericidal; inhibits mycolic acid synthesis (key for mycobacterial cell walls)
- Ethambutol: Bacteriostatic; inhibits arabinosyl transferase, affecting cell wall integrity
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Hepatotoxicity (especially rifampicin & isoniazid)
- Red-orange urine/tears/saliva (rifampicin)
- Peripheral neuropathy (isoniazid)
- Visual disturbances (ethambutol-related optic neuritis)
- Hepatic dysfunction (relative; monitor closely)
- Optic neuritis or visual impairment
- Hypersensitivity to any component
- Rifampicin:
- Enzyme inducer → ↓ effectiveness of oral contraceptives, warfarin, antiretrovirals
- Isoniazid:
- Can inhibit metabolism of phenytoin, carbamazepine
- Avoid alcohol: ↑ risk of hepatotoxicity
Drug Status
| Availability | |
| Pregnancy | |
| Breastfeeding | |
| Schedule |
| BRAND NAME | STRENGTH | FORMULATION | PACK SIZE | MANUFACTURER | DISTRIBUTOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AkuriT-3 | 150mg/75mg/275mg | Tablet | 200’s | Lupin Limited | Nairobi Enterprises |
| Rihide-E | 150mg/75mg/275mg | Tablet | 100’s | Cosmos Ltd | Cosmos Ltd |