Adverse drug reactions to anti-tubercular drugs in HIV/TB co-infected patients

The medications used to treat HIV and TB can result in significant adverse effects and drug interactions which can adversely impact the disease management. The objective of this study is to determine the adverse reactions to anti-tubercular drugs in these HIV/TB co-infected patients. A retrospective study of case record files of HIV/TB co-infected patients on anti-tubercular treatment was carried out at a tertiary care teaching hospital and a district government hospital. Demographic details and adverse drug reactions were recorded. Data of 96 HIV/TB co-infected patients on anti-tubercular therapy was evaluated. Of these, 44 (45.8%)developed adverse drug reaction during the course of treatment. Rifampicin was considered to be responsible for 63.6% of adverse drug reactions. Hepatitis was the most common adverse reaction (31.8%). Almost half of the patient population with HIV/TB co-infection on anti-tubercular drugs experienced an adverse drug reaction. Early recognition and management of the adverse drug reactions is important to decrease morbidity and mortality.