Table 3.
Number of MDR TB patients who experienced a side effect that led to a change in an anti-TB medication, 2012–2016. (N = 13).
| Side effect | Number (%) |
|---|---|
| Liver toxicitya | 2 (15%) |
| Suicide attempt or ideation | 1 (8%) |
| Cardiac abnormalitiesb | 0 (0%) |
| Other | 3 (23%) |
| Tinnitus | 2 (67%) |
| Vestibular dysfunction | 1 (33%) |
| Hearing loss | 1 (33%) |
| Hypothyroidism | 1 (33%) |
| Peripheral neuropathy | 1 (33%) |
| GI disturbance | 1 (33%) |
| Depression | 1 (33%) |
| Foul taste/burning smell | 1 (33%) |
MDR = multidrug resistant, i.e., resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampin.
a
Liver toxicity was defined as liver transaminases exceeding three times the upper limit of normal with associated symptoms, or five times the upper limit of normal if the patient is asymptomatic.
b
Cardiac abnormalities included clinically significant ventricular arrhythmia or a QTc of >500 ms and confirmed by repeat ECG.