Isoniazid Common Side Effect Explained

Isoniazid is a cornerstone medication for treating tuberculosis (TB). While effective, it is associated with specific side effects that healthcare providers monitor closely.

Identifying Peripheral Neuritis

Among the listed options, peripheral neuritis is the most common and clinically significant side effect of isoniazid therapy.

• Peripheral neuritis involves damage to the peripheral nerves (nerves outside the brain and spinal cord).
• Symptoms include numbness, tingling, burning sensations, and pain, often starting in the feet and hands.
• This side effect is thought to occur because isoniazid can deplete vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) levels in the body.
• Pyridoxine supplementation is often given alongside isoniazid to prevent this neurological toxicity.

Evaluating Other Options

The other potential side effects mentioned are less common or not characteristic of isoniazid:

• Diarrhoea: While gastrointestinal issues can occur, diarrhoea is not considered the primary or most common side effect compared to neurological symptoms.
• Hypertrophy: This refers to an increase in the size of an organ or tissue due to cell enlargement. It is not a recognized side effect of isoniazid.
• Acute tubular necrosis: This is a severe form of acute kidney injury. While drug-induced kidney injury is possible with some medications, it is not a common or typical side effect attributed to isoniazid.

Therefore, peripheral neuritis stands out as the key common side effect.