Table 1.

First-line anti-tuberculosis medications.

Drug	Dosage	Duration	Mechanism of Action	Advantages	Disadvantages
Isoniazid	5 mg/kg/day (max 300 mg/day)	6–18 months	Inhibits mycolic acid synthesis, essential for cell wall	Highly potent, good penetration into tissues	Hepatotoxicity, Peripheral neuropathy
Rifampicin	10–20 mg/kg/day (max 600 mg/day)	6–18 months	Inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, blocking RNA synthesis	Broad activity, reduces treatment duration	Hepatotoxicity, Drug interactions
Pyrazinamide	15–30 mg/kg/day (max 2 g/day)	Initial 2 months	Effective in acidic pH, disrupts mycobacterial cell membrane	Effective against latent TB	Hepatotoxicity, Hyperuricemia
Ethambutol	15–25 mg/kg/day	Initial 2 months	Inhibits arabinose transferase, affecting cell wall biosynthesis	Prevents resistance emergence	Optic neuritis, Visual disturbances