Shortened Drug Regimens for the Treatment of Active Tuberculosis

Abstract

For treating active tuberculosis (TB), some 4-month treatment regimens may be as effective and safe as the standard 6-month treatment regimen. However, there are also 4-month treatment regimens that seem to be less effective than the 6-month treatment regimen for treating active TB. The effectiveness of these shortened treatment regimens depends on the combination of drugs and the dose schedule. For treating active TB, a 3-month treatment regimen appears to be less effective than the standard 6-month regimen, as it is associated with a higher rate of TB recurring within 2 years after completing treatment.