How TB drugs work

A visual guide

Use this slideshow to see the different TB drugs and how they work.

  • First

    These drugs are used in first-line treatment for TB, ideally on patients who do not have multi-drug resistance.

    Credits: National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases

  • MDR

    These drugs are used to treat people with multi-drug resistance TB. They do not work as well as the first-line drugs and have worse side-effects. Nevertheless, MDR TB can be cured.

    Credits: National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases

  • Extensively

    Treating extensively drug-resistant TB is difficult. Clinicians have to try various cocktails of drugs, most with serious side-effects.

    Credits: National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases

  • Experimental

    These are new TB drugs that are still being tested. Hopefully some of them will soon be approved and become available for general use.

    Credits: National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases

To subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter of new posts, enter your email here:


Article

Published: July 1, 2011, 12:53 p.m.

Last updated: July 1, 2011, 5:27 p.m.

Tags: Treatment

Print Share

Further Reading