Not only is a
short course therapy more attractive to users, the side effects are less and
Rifampin efficacy can be
monitored using QuantiFERON;
Impact of treatment completion, intolerance and adverse events on health system costs in a randomised trial of 4 months rifampin or 9 months isoniazid for latent TB.
....
Conclusions The 4RIF regimen was significantly cheaper per patient completing treatment because of better completion and fewer adverse events.
Previously LoBue and Menzies had
said that
Two large scale trials are ongoing; one is comparing efficacy and effectiveness of 9H with 4 months rifampin (both daily and self-administered), while the second, which is nearing completion, compares daily self-administered 9H with 3 months directly observed once weekly INH combined with rifapentine.
The results of these two trials will likely shape future recommendations substantially.
