4-Month DSTB Treatment Regimen Shows Similar Performance to Longer Standard Regimen
A review of evidence by WHO has shown similar performance of a shorter drug-susceptible TB treatment regimen compared to the current standard regimen, both in terms of efficacy and safety. The 4-month all-oral regimen would be a preference for many patients and national TB programmes, allowing faster cure and easing the burden on both patients and the healthcare system. Shortened treatment has the potential to improve adherence and reduce patient and health system costs.
Implementation and uptake of the new regimen in the short to medium term will be more feasible if the cost of rifapentine is reduced and availability improved. It will also require rigorous antibacterial stewardship to ensure the appropriate use of the first-line regimen given that it contains moxifloxacin, an antibiotic usually used for the treatment of drug-resistant TB.
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