- Body system
- Anti-infectives
- Drug cards
- 2 in this guide
Drugs in this class
Other examples: Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol, Rifapentine, Bedaquiline.
How antitubercular drugs work
Isoniazid blocks mycolic acid synthesis; rifampin blocks RNA polymerase; pyrazinamide and ethambutol act on other mycobacterial targets.
Uses
- Active tuberculosis (usually a 4-drug start: rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol)
- Latent tuberculosis infection
Adverse effects
- Hepatotoxicity (isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide)
- Peripheral neuropathy (isoniazid)
- Orange-red body fluids and many drug interactions (rifampin)
- Hyperuricemia (pyrazinamide)
- Optic neuritis and color vision changes (ethambutol)
Nursing considerations
- Monitor liver function and ask about symptoms of hepatitis.
- Baseline and periodic vision testing with ethambutol.
- Support adherence; directly observed therapy is common.
Patient teaching
- Take every dose for the full course, often 6 months or longer.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Patients with active TB stay in airborne isolation until they are no longer infectious.
Antitubercular drugs NCLEX practice questions
Answer each question to see the rationale.
3 questions. Choose an answer to see the rationale.
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A patient taking rifampin is alarmed that their urine is orange. What should the nurse say?
Show answer
Answer A: This is an expected, harmless effect Rifampin colors urine, sweat and tears red-orange; it is harmless but can stain contact lenses.
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Which vitamin is given with isoniazid to prevent peripheral neuropathy?
Show answer
Answer C: Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) Isoniazid depletes pyridoxine; supplementation prevents neuropathy in at-risk patients.
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Which test should be done before starting ethambutol?
Show answer
Answer A: Visual acuity and color vision Ethambutol can cause optic neuritis with loss of visual acuity and red-green color discrimination.
Frequently asked questions
What are antitubercular drugs?
Tuberculosis is treated with several drugs for months. Liver injury is the shared risk, rifampin turns body fluids orange, isoniazid needs vitamin B6, and ethambutol affects vision.
How do antitubercular drugs work?
Isoniazid blocks mycolic acid synthesis; rifampin blocks RNA polymerase; pyrazinamide and ethambutol act on other mycobacterial targets.
What are examples of antitubercular drugs?
Isoniazid (INH), Rifampin, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol, Rifapentine and Bedaquiline.
What are the nursing considerations for antitubercular drugs?
Monitor liver function and ask about symptoms of hepatitis. Baseline and periodic vision testing with ethambutol.