Adverse Events

Patients on treatment for latent TB infection (LTBI) or TB disease should report any signs and symptoms of adverse drug reactions to their health care provider, including

• Unexplained anorexia, nausea or vomiting, dark urine*, or icterus (yellowing of skin or eyes)
• Persistent paresthesia (tingling, numbness, or burning) of hands or feet
• Persistent weakness, fatigue, fever, or abdominal tenderness
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Blurred vision or changed vision

*Patients taking rifampin (RIF) or rifapentine (RPT) should be informed that they will notice a normal orange discoloration of body fluids, including urine and tears. Contact lenses may be permanently stained.

Patients should provide a list of current medications to avoid drug interactions. Some interactions to note:

• Isoniazid (INH) increases blood levels of phenytoin (Dilantin) and disulfiram (Antabuse)
• RIF and RPT decrease blood levels of many drugs including oral contraceptives, warfarin, sulfonureas, and methadone
• RIF and RPT are contraindicated in HIV-infected individuals being treated with protease inhibitors (PIs) and most nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)