TB and ARV drug interactions summary
Table: TB drug side effects and interactions
| Drug | Side effects | Potential drug interactions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ethambutol | Rash, joint pain, gut upset, fever, headache, dizziness, eyesight problems. | Antacids. | Check eyesight often. |
| isoniazid | Gut upset, loss of appetite, fever, rash, liver problems, peripheral neuropathy. | Phenytoin, antacids, alcohol, steroids. | Take on an empty stomach. Take pyridoxine (vitamin B6) to prevent peripheral neuropathy. Monitor liver function. |
| pyrazinamide | Gut upset, fever, rash, joint pain, hepatitis, gout, light sensitivity. | None. | Monitor liver function. |
| rifampicin | Gut upset, rash, fever, orange urine/tears/saliva, light sensitivity, liver problems, acute renal failure | PIs, NNRTIs, ‘-azole’ anti-fungal drugs, oral contraceptives, methadone, dapsone. | Take on an empty stomach. Do not use with PIs or nevirapine. |
| rifabutin | Gut upset, rash, eye inflammation, blood cell changes, joint pain, orange urine/tears/saliva, liver function changes, fever. | PIs, NNRTIs, fluconazole, oral contraceptives, steroids, methadone. | Avoid wearing soft contact lenses as they can become discolored. Avoid nevirapine. |
Table: Which TB drugs go with different ARVs?
| ARV | Rifampicin | Rifabutin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| nukes | Use | Use | no interactions |
| efavirenz | Use | Use | rifampicin: efavirenz dose usually 800mg daily – rifabutin: 450 or 600mg daily or 600mg twice weekly recommended |
| nevirapine | Do not use | Do not use | high risk of liver toxicity |
| nelfinavir | Do not use | Use | rifabutin: 150mg daily recommended |
| boosted PIs | Do not use | Use | rifabutin: 150mg daily or 300mg twice weekly recommended |
Last updated: 22 July 2009.