What are the side effects of medicines for TB?
If you are taking medicine for TB, you should take it as directed by your doctor or nurse. Occasionally, the medicines may cause side effects. Some side effects are minor problems. Others are more serious. If you have a serious side effect, call your doctor or nurse immediately. You may be told to stop taking your medicine or to return to the clinic for tests.
The side effects listed below are serious. If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor or nurse immediately:
* no appetite
* nausea
* vomiting
* yellowish skin or eyes
* fever for 3 or more days
* abdominal pain
* tingling fingers or toes
* skin rash
* easy bleeding
* aching joints
* dizziness
* tingling or numbness around the mouth
* easy bruising
* blurred or changed vision
* ringing in the ears
* hearing loss
The side effects listed below are minor problems. If you have any of these side effects, you can continue taking your medicine:
* Rifampin can turn urine, saliva, or tears orange. The doctor or nurse may advise you not to wear soft contact lenses because they may get stained.
* Rifampin can make you more sensitive to the sun. This means you should use a good sunscreen and cover exposed areas so you don't burn.
* Rifampin makes birth control pills and implants less effective. Women who take rifampin should use another form of birth control.
* If you are taking rifampin as well as methadone (used to treat drug addiction), you may have withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor or nurse may need to adjust your methadone dosage.
