Some observations on the results of high isoniazid dosage in pulmonary tuberculosis

Abstract

Summary The administration of isoniazid in doses of 6–12 mg. per kg. to patients with early or only moderately advanced chronic pulmonary tuberculosis either obviated the need for collapse therapy or rendered it safe, and contributed towards reaching a state of quiescence and maintaining it for at least twelve months. Isoniazid treatment was also successful in a small group of acute pulmonary and miliary cases of tuberculosis. Chronic advanced cases of pulmonary tuberculosis failed on the whole to respond to this treatment. In only 4 out of 20 patients did sputum-conversion occur; all of the remainder became clinically and bacteriologically isoniazid-resistant. No toxic complications were observed in patients receiving up to 6–8 mg. of isoniazid per kg. Some patients receiving 10–12 mg. per kg. showed evidence of toxicity which cleared up when treatment was stopped. No patient developed hypersensitivity to isoniazid.