· For each patient with newly diagnosed TB disease, a specific treatment and monitoring plan should be developed in collaboration with the local TB control program within 1 week of the presumptive diagnosis.
· This plan should include:
o Description of the TB treatment regimen
o Methods of assessing and ensuring adherence to the TB treatment regimen;
o Methods to monitor for adverse reactions; and
o Methods for evaluating treatment response.
· A number of measures are monitored to determine response to treatment.
· These can broadly be divided into clinical and microbiological markers.
· Physical signs of tuberculosis treatment success include:
o A reduction in symptoms, such as less coughing
o Overall improvement in the way one feels
o Weight gain
o Increased appetite
o Improvement in strength and stamina
· Laboratory Tests to Monitor Tuberculosis Treatment
- Lab tests including Sputum tests are performed during tuberculosis treatment to determine if any TB bacteria are left in the TB patient.
References
Wells BG, DiPiro J, Schwinghammer T (2013), Pharmacotherapy Handbook (6th Ed). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
DiPiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, Matzke GR, Wells BG, Posey ML, (2008): Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach (7th ed): New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Katz M D., Matthias KR., Chisholm-Burns M A., Pharmacotherapy(2011) Principles & Practice Study Guide: A Case-Based Care Plan Approach: New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Schwinghammer TL, Koehler JM (2009) Pharmacotherapy Casebook: A Patient-Focused Approach (7th ed): New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.