Adverse events with 4 months of rifampin therapy or 9 months of isoniazid therapy for latent tuberculosis infection: a randomized trial

Ann Intern Med. 2008 Nov 18;149(10):689-97. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-149-10-200811180-00003.

Abstract

Background: Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection with isoniazid for 9 months is complicated by poor patient adherence and the need for close follow-up of side effects, especially hepatotoxicity. Shorter and safer regimens are needed.

Objective: To compare the frequency of adverse events and treatment completion in 2 treatment regimens for latent tuberculosis infection.

Design: Multicenter, randomized, open-label trial.

Setting: Tuberculosis clinics located in university hospitals in Canada, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia.

Patients: 847 patients without a contraindication for rifampin and requiring treatment for latent tuberculosis infection.

Intervention: Four months of daily rifampin therapy or 9 months of daily isoniazid therapy.

Measurements: Grade 3 to 4 drug-related adverse events resulting in drug discontinuation (primary outcome), and on-time treatment completion, grade 1 to 2 drug-related adverse events, and changes in liver enzymes and hematologic variables (secondary outcomes).

Results: Seventeen of 422 participants who started isoniazid therapy developed grade 3 to 4 adverse events compared with 7 of 418 who started rifampin therapy (risk difference [rifampin minus isoniazid], -2.3% [95% CI, -5% to -0.1%]; P = 0.040). Grade 3 or 4 hepatitis occurred in 16 of 422 isoniazid recipients compared with 3 of 418 rifampin recipients (risk difference, -3.1% [CI, -5% to -1%]; P = 0.003). Grade 1 or 2 adverse events attributed to study drugs occurred with similar frequency. Asymptomatic reduction in platelet and leukocyte counts were more frequent in rifampin recipients. More patients completed rifampin treatment (78%) than isoniazid treatment (60%) (difference, 18% [CI, 12% to 24%]; P < 0.001]).

Limitation: The study did not measure efficacy, and the open-label design may increase the chance of bias in ascertainment of adverse events.

Conclusion: Treatment of latent tuberculosis with 4 months of rifampin leads to fewer serious adverse events and better adherence than 9 months of isoniazid. These findings justify a large-scale trial to compare the efficacy of rifampin with that of isoniazid.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / adverse effects*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / enzymology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Isoniazid / adverse effects*
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Male
  • Patient Compliance
  • Patient Dropouts
  • Prospective Studies
  • Rifampin / adverse effects*
  • Transaminases / metabolism
  • Tuberculosis / drug therapy*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Transaminases
  • Isoniazid
  • Rifampin