Among the following, identify the drug that comes under ATT category?

ESIC Nursing Officer 2016 (Shift -2)

Pharmacology

Easy

Appeared in: ESIC Nursing Officer 2016 (Shift -2)

Explanation

Rifampicin is a cornerstone first-line drug used in Anti-Tuberculosis Therapy (ATT).
It is a core component of the standard short-course chemotherapy regimen, often remembered by the mnemonic HRZE (Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol).
Rifampicin acts by inhibiting bacterial RNA synthesis, which makes it a potent bactericidal agent against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It is effective against all populations of tubercle bacilli.

Option B: Zidovudine is an antiretroviral drug, not an anti-tubercular agent.
Option C: Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used for various bacterial infections, such as respiratory tract infections, but it is not a primary drug for treating tuberculosis.
Option D: Nevirapine is an antiretroviral drug, not an anti-tubercular agent.

Visual 1: Chart: First-line vs. Second-line Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs. This visual would help differentiate the primary drugs (like Rifampicin) from reserve drugs used for resistant TB.
Visual 2: Infographic: The HRZE Regimen. An infographic explaining the four first-line drugs, their mechanisms, and key side effects would provide a comprehensive overview of standard TB treatment.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Pharmacology: Classification of Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
A key nursing responsibility is patient education. Nurses must inform patients taking Rifampicin about the common, harmless side effect of orange-red discoloration of body fluids (urine, sweat, tears, saliva) to prevent alarm and ensure treatment adherence.
Nurses must monitor for signs of hepatotoxicity (jaundice, fatigue, anorexia), a serious potential adverse effect of Rifampicin, especially when combined with other ATT drugs like Isoniazid and Pyrazinamide.
What if the patient is also HIV positive and taking Nevirapine? Rifampicin cannot be used as it is a potent enzyme inducer that drastically reduces Nevirapine levels, leading to treatment failure for HIV. In such cases, the regimen is modified, often by substituting Rifampicin with Rifabutin, a less potent enzyme inducer.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it asks to find a drug used for Anti-Tuberculosis Therapy (ATT).
Scan the options and try to classify each drug based on your pharmacology knowledge.
Recall that Rifampicin is a very common antibiotic. Think about its primary use.
Recognize Zidovudine and Nevirapine as well-known antiretroviral drugs used in HIV management.
Remember that Erythromycin is a general-purpose macrolide antibiotic, not specifically for TB.
By elimination and direct recall, conclude that Rifampicin is the only drug in the list that is a primary agent for ATT.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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