ANTI-TUBERCULAR DRUGS: MECHANISMS OF ACTION AND MULTIDRUG RESISTANCE
B. Ramya Sree
Department of Biotechnology, Sree Vidyanikethan Engineering College, Tirupati
Jyothi M. Joy
Department of Pharmacognosy, Sree Vidyanikethan College of Pharmacy, Tirupati
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious worldwide health risk, with the increase in the Multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) and highly resistant to drugs (XDR-TB) TB. Although the world is experiencing technological advancements on diagnosis, treatment regimens and understanding of TB pathogenesis, the disease remains a menace to global health systems, especially in the lower and middle-income nations where other socio-economic issues like poverty, malnutrition, and HIV co-infection further contribute to its management complications. Drug-sensitive TB is traditionally treated with pharmacotherapy (combination of first-line drugs, including isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol). Nevertheless, the rise of MDR-TB and XDRTB brings about the need to prescribe second-line drugs that are more toxic and have prolonged treatment regimes. Newer medications such as bedaquiline, pretomanid, and delamanid have become a promising therapy in the treatment of resistant strains, yet the development of resistance to these medications is another problem. Coupled with pharmacotherapy, new technologies like vaccines, immunotherapy, and computers and mobile apps like artificial intelligence (AI) and mobile health apps promise an opportunity to enhance early detection, treatment adherence, and compliance. A combination of novel technologies, research, and enhanced patient-centered care plans will be the future in TB control in order to surmount the challenges of drug resistance to achieve global eradication of TB. The final target is to eliminate TB by 2035, which is to be reached through joint efforts of the international community and improved access to quality diagnostics, treatment as well as preventive measures.
16 , 1 , 2026
25 - 34