Treatments

Tuberculosis Treatments

The usual treatment for TB is medication. The type of medication and length of treatment depends on whether TB is latent or active, as well as your overall health.

Many patients with tuberculosis take antibiotics for anywhere from four to nine months. It’s important to complete the entire prescription to avoid a relapse and the development of drug-resistant TB. If you develop drug-resistant TB, your treatment may involve a combination of medications taken orally and through injections.

Many people have success with directly observed therapy (DOT), in which a health care provider administers the medication, watches for side effects and monitors your progress.