Hello doctor, I am taking AKT-4 tablet for TB. It is affecting my ear and mind. Please suggest an idea to stay against it.
Hello. The anti-tubercular drug AKT-4 is a cocktail of four drugs namely Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, and Ethambutol. I will concentrate on the side effects that have disturbed you now, side effects on the ear and the neurological effects. Most of the neurological effects are caused due to Isoniazid. It is known to cause decreased sensations, altered mental status, numbness, etc. To counteract the same Pyridoxine 100 mg per day is given. Pyridoxine is a B-complex vitamin whose function is affected by Isoniazid. Nextly, Ethambutol can cause some mild neurological disturbances and significant vision problems. It can result in decreased field and accuracy of vision. If you experience any such defects with vision please contact the doctor who prescribed AKT-4 and ask him if Ethambutol can be substituted. Ear side effects are common with Streptomycin (another anti-tubercular drug). But Streptomycin is not present in AKT 4. So you need not worry. Tuberculosis requires dedicated treatment for a long time. Some amount of side effects are inevitable for the sake of curing the disease. Earlier longer therapies were advocated for TB which used to have even more side effects. A good diet, regular exercise, calm and peaceful mind and vitamin supplements are all necessary to tide over the many of the side effects caused by these drugs.