Anti-Tubercular Drug Regimens and associated Adverse Events: Systematic Review of Studies in India on Tuberculosis Treatments

Authors

  • Rameez Moin Don Research Scholar, School of Pharmaceutical Management, IIHMR University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Saurabh Kumar Banerjee Associate Professor, School of Pharmaceutical Management, IIHMR University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v24i4.84672

Keywords:

Tuberculosis; Multidrug-Resistant TB; Adverse Drug Reactions; Treatment Adherence; Pharmacovigilance; Drug Resistance; Anti- Tubercular Therapy

Abstract

Background Tuberculosis (TB) has been a serious health threat worldwide, particularly in developing nations, representing high mortality as well as morbidity. The mounting incidence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has added complexities to TB management, requiring intensive therapy regimens leading to Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs). ADRs influence the emergence of drug-resistant strains, by challenging treatment completion and adherence. This organised literature review consolidates observations from 12 studies, investigating ADRs in anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) and exploring how pharmacovigilance supports ADR management. Methods The analysis systematically evaluated 12 peer-reviewed studies from 2017 to 2019, focusing on articles with ADRs linked to both first-line as well as second-line TB treatment, patient outcomes with MDR-TB treatment, and pharmacovigilance’s role in ADR monitoring, across different Indian regions. Results The results emphasized excessive ADR incidence, with common ones like gastrointestinal disturbances, skin reactions, ototoxicity and hepatotoxicity, significantly hindering adherence to treatment, and causing higher incidence of incomplete therapies and patient defaulters. Various studies detailed the effectiveness of pharmacovigilance efforts in managing and identifying ADRs, promoting better patient outcomes, thereby lowering MDR-TB development risks. Conclusion ADRs continue to be a substantial obstacle for successfully treating TB, especially MDR-TB. Proactive ADR management through pharmacovigilance is essential for prompt detection of ADRs, achieving successful therapy outcomes and preventing treatment resistance. The systematic review concludes the essential role of Pharmacovigilance being integrated into TB programs, especially in high-burden and resource-limited settings, to mitigate the adverse effects of antitubercular drugs and improve overall treatment success.

BJMS, Vol. 24 No. 04 October’25 Page : 1079-1092

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
12
PDF
11

Downloads

Published

2025-11-02

How to Cite

Don, R. M., & Banerjee, S. K. (2025). Anti-Tubercular Drug Regimens and associated Adverse Events: Systematic Review of Studies in India on Tuberculosis Treatments. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science, 24(4), 1079–1092. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v24i4.84672

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 4 (2025)

Section

Review Article

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Rameez Moin Don, Saurabh Kumar Banerjee

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish in the Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science agree to the following terms that:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science the right of first publication of the work.

  2. Creative Commons Licence
    Articles in Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License CC BY-4.0.This license permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
  3. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  4. Authors are permitted to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as greater citation of published work.