Isoniazid and Its Isopropyl Derivative in the Therapy of Tuberculosis in Humans: Comparative Therapeutic and Toxicologic Properties

¹ The Medical Service, Sea View Hospital.

1) One hundred and one patients under iproniazid (Marsilid) at 4 mg./K., 65 under isoniazid (Rimifon) at 4 and 8 mg./K., and nine under combined streptomycin and iproniazid or isoniazid therapy for from two to seven months have been compared with respect to effect on acute toxicity, x-ray, sputum, extrapulmonary tuberculosis and drug toxicity.

2) Dose for dose, the systemic effects of tuberculosis are more promptly and completely controlled by iproniazid than by isoniazid.

3) X-ray changes and sputum bacteriology show approximately equal benefit.

4) Drug toxicity is encountered more frequently and more intensely with iproniazid than with isoniazid.

5) Beneficial effects with each drug are seen in the treatment of various extrapulmonary entities.

6) The combination of streptomycin with either isoniazid or iproniazid appears to demonstrate some superiority to either drug alone on the basis of a short term study of nine cases.

7) Clinical resistence to hydrazide therapy has not been impressive.

8) The first 17 patients, under treatment for from 42 to 277 days with an average of 112 days, continued to show in vitro sensitivity with one exception.

9) Optimum dosage and dosage regimen for isoniazid has not been determined but is believed to be in excess of 8 mgs. per kilo in divided doses.