Report on the Use of Cycloserine and Isoniazid in Twenty-seven Cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Psychotic Patients

Twenty-seven psychotic patients with pulmonary tuberculosis have been treated with cycloserine-isoniazid for periods as long as 26 months. The majority of them had advanced disease of several years' duration and had previously received three standard drug regimens. Some of them had been treated by compression or resectional surgery. Significant improvement was noted in a gratifying percentage of the patients. Reversal of infectiousness occurred in a satisfactory number; roentgenographic improvement was observed in a fair percentage; many showed improvement in well-being and appetite; there was a fairly satisfactory reduction in cough and expectoration. Complicating side effects have been fairly slight, particularly in view of the fact that all of the patients were psychotic. From this clinical experience, it is concluded that a regimen of 500 mgm. of cycloserine and 300 mgm. of isoniazid daily, in two equally divided doses, is a valuable regimen for psychotic patients who still have active disease despite treatment with one of the standard regimens.