Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 17: A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) suggests that administering higher doses of rifampicin — a key antibiotic in tuberculosis (TB) treatment — may accelerate recovery and reduce relapse risk in pulmonary TB patients, without significantly increasing adverse effects.

Rifampicin is currently prescribed at 10 mg/kg for six months in standard TB treatment. However, the ICMR team evaluated clinical trial data to assess the safety and efficacy of increased doses above 15 mg/kg.

“Higher doses led to earlier sputum conversion, a key indicator of effective treatment and bacterial clearance,” said Dr. Leeberk Raja Inbaraj from ICMR–National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai. Early conversion is linked to reduced relapse rates and lower risk of disease transmission.

The optimal dose range identified was between 20–30 mg/kg, which offered better outcomes without significantly increasing serious side effects. Doses beyond 30 mg/kg, however, were associated with risks such as liver toxicity and adverse drug reactions.

While high-dose rifampicin didn’t lower mortality or treatment failure at six months, researchers believe it holds promise for improving recurrence-free survival.

The study, published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, emphasizes the need for large-scale trials to evaluate long-term benefits and ensure patient safety with adjusted dosing regimens.