About TB / Treatment
How is tuberculosis treated?
- Tuberculosis can be cured with a course of antibiotics.
- Treatment is usually needed for 6 months.
- Anti-TB treatment is prescribed as a combination of antibiotics to destroy different parts of the TB bacteria.
- Patients will start on 4 drugs, which are combined and given as two or three different tablets
- The drugs can be taken daily or at intervals of three times a week. On diagnosis, the treatment regime is decided depending on patients needs and preferences
- After 2 months the tablets are changed according to those antibiotics which are most effective against the patient's strain of tuberculosis
- If the strain of TB is resistant to some antibiotics the course of treatment can last 9, 12 or 18 months
- It is vital that the medication is taken as prescribed, and that the full course of treatment is completed. This will reduce the risk of developing drug resistant TB.
- The TB team will work closley with patients to help them overcome obstacles affecting how they take this treatment. This includes providing assistance with housing, benefits and transport issues.
© 2006 NE London TB Network. All rights reserved.
Homerton Hospital, Hackney, London E9 6SR
Tel: 020 8510 7670 | Fax: 020 8510 7731
E-mail: william.roberts@newhampct.nhs.uk
