Drug-Resistant TB

What are Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB)?

Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB)
MDR-TB is a specific form of TB which is resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampicin, two of the main first line drugs used in the treatment of TB. MDR-TB therefore is much more difficult to treat. It takes longer to treat with second line drugs which are more expensive and have more side-effects.

Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB)
XDR-TB is a rare type of MDR-TB which is also resistant to any of a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones and at least one of three injectable second line anti-TB drugs (capreomycin, kanamycin or amikacin). Because XDR-TB is resistant to first line and second line drugs, treatment options are more limited.

Last updated: 8 October 2018