Use of corticosteroids in tuberculosis

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is considered as a lethal disease in the present era. Effective antituberculous therapy is available, which has reduced significantly the morbidity and mortality due to TB. Literature advocates the use of corticosteroids in TB. Use of corticosteroids in conjunction with antituberculous therapy showed a reduction in mortality and morbidity in pericardial and central nervous system TB. Signs and symptoms in pleural and severe pulmonary TB improve rapidly with the addition of corticosteroids. Corticosteroid should be used cautiously with antituberculous therapy in view of drug interaction seen between them.