Twice Weekly Tuberculosis Chemotherapy

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Abstract
One hundred one manifestly unreliable outpatients with active tuberulosis were given isoniazid orally, 14 mg/kg, and streptomycin sulfate intramuscularly, 27 mg/kg, in one dose twice weekly for periods from 3.4 to 22.0 months (mean, 13.0 months) following initial daily hospital treatment of 0 to 12 months (mean, 2.9 months). Outpatient treatment was given by a nurse at a place convenient to each patient. Failure to keep appointments occurred at a rate of 4.5%. One relapse occurred during treatment; 62 patients have completed treatment and have been followed up from 0.3 to 55.3 months (mean, 22.8 months) with no relapses to date. The major problem of antituberculosis treatment today is ensuring that patients take their medication. This study demonstrates that high-dose isoniazid and streptomycin therapy given by a nurse twice weekly is an effective, humane, and inexpensive solution.

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