Beyond treatment and cure: Burden of adverse drug reactions in a case of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

Abstract: Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is defined as resistance to isoniazid and rifampicin, with or without resistance to other antitubercular drugs. Multiple drugs taken for a long duration in the treatment of tuberculosis, especially in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, may produce adverse drug reactions (ADRs). We report a case of a 29-year-old female who was diagnosed with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis with resistance to rifampicin, isoniazid (high level), fluoroquinolones, and second-line injectables and started on a modified longer regimen. The patient later presented with weakness, paresthesia, numbness of bilateral upper and lower limbs, blurring of vision in both eyes, and anemia which led to challenges in management. However, discontinuation of the drugs causing adverse reactions resulted in improvement of the patient’s condition. Early recognition by active surveillance and appropriate management of ADRs are important to improve adherence to treatment and outcomes.