New shorter, fully oral TB treatments aim to ease patient burden and improve cure rates

Veni EN

Sep 16, 2025

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Health

Patients with tuberculosis (TB), including children and those with drug-resistant forms, can now complete treatment in a shorter, fully oral course under new international guidelines.

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The recommendations, developed by leading international respiratory and infectious disease bodies, replace traditional six-month therapies with simpler and more effective regimens.

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Developed using rigorous evidence-based frameworks called GRADE and GRADE-ADOLOPMENT, the guidelines draw on large clinical trial data and systematic reviews.

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For people with drug-susceptible pulmonary TB, a new four-month regimen is now advised, replacing the six-month course.

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Adults with drug-susceptible TB are recommended a combination of isoniazid, rifapentine, pyrazinamide, and moxifloxacin. 

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Children begin with an eight-week intensive phase using isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and sometimes ethambutol, followed by a continuation phase with isoniazid and rifampin.

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For drug-resistant TB, the guidelines emphasise new combinations built around bedaquiline, pretomanid, and linezolid.