Toxicity of aminoglycoside [streptomycin] in the management of tuberculosis in placebo controlled study

ABSTRACT

The study was planned with an aim to identify the toxicity of streptomycin in the treatment of Tuberculosis. It's early an easy detection, establishment of existing damage without the use of sophisticated, costly and time consuming methods and also to assess the existing popular modalities of treatment. This prospective study was carried out in the Chest Ward and OPD JPMC Karachi and duration of twelve weeks. Patients were selected from chest ward and OPD of JPMC. Prospective randomized study of adverse effects of Streptomycin in the treatment of tuberculosis was done. It showed that like other antituberculous drug the streptomycin must be careful to use in combination therapy in the treatment of tuberculosis. The major side effects were those giving rise to serious health hazards, and required discontinuation of the drug. Minor side effects caused relatively little discomfort and often responded to symptomatic or simple treatment but occasionally persisted for the entire duration of drug treatment. In fact tuberculosis drugs are relatively toxic and side effects are not uncommon but most of them do not warrant drug withdrawal