Q: What are the side effects of AKT4. Which one has lesser side effects, AKT4 or Isonex 300mg? It has been given to my father arbitrarily to heal the wound. There were no signs of TB bacilli found in the examination. Now AKT4 is not suiting him. He is suffering from stomach disorder for the last two months after using AKT4. He stopped AKT4 in between after consulting his doctor for few days. In those days the stomach problem was somewhat better. But since his wound is yet to recover, he has continued taking AKT4. It is only 10 days now and he again has the stomach disorder. The doctor advised Isonex 300mg, since there were no other options. He is also a patient of severe rheumatoid arthritis. He stopped taking AKT4 after completing 32 kits. The medicine was stopped for almost 10 days and again continued after that. He has again stopped it since yesterday, after having stomach problem. Please advise.

A:AKT-4 contains four medicines (Rifampicin + Isoniazid + Pyrazinamide + Ethambutol) all used in the treatment of TB. Isonex contains Isoniazid (INH) and its side effects include nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions, vision disturbances, liver disorders and blood disorders. Pyridoxine (vit B6) supplementation is required along with INH. Intermittent use of ATT increases the risk of development of resistance by the TB bacilli, and the reason why a combination of drugs is used for treatment is to prevent the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. The use of ATT must have been prompted by a clinical diagnosis of TB. Please check this with your doctor.