Clinical Experiences with Isonicotinic Acid Hydrazide in Tuberculosis

¹ Chief Resident in Medicine, Newark City Hospital, Newark, New Jersey.
² Chief, Tuberculosis Service, Newark City Hospital. Consultant in Pulmonary Diseases, Essex County Sanitorium.

1) Twenty patients with tuberculosis have been treated for five to 15 weeks with isonicotinic acid hydrazide, and no other therapeutic measures.

2) The systemic manifestations of tuberculosis such as appetite, energy, night sweats, temperature, and weight appeared to be favorably influenced by the drug. The cough was decreased in the majority but 24 hours expectoration was lessened in only four. Sputum conversion occurred in only one instance; the remainder of the group has persistently positive sputa despite continued therapy. The possibility of development of bacterial resistance as evidenced by late rise in the Gaffky count in two patients is emphasized. Serial roentgenograms showed minimal diminution of exudation in only five cases, but positive sputa still persisted in these patients.

3) The toxicity and side reactions of the drug are described and suggestive evidence of a hepato-toxic effect in humans is discussed.

4) The possibility of synergism between isonicotinic acid hydrazide, streptomycin and PAS is stressed and preliminary favorable observations are presented.