Efficacy of stimuliv, an indigenous compound formulation, against hepatotoxicity of antitubercular drugs--a double blind study.

ABSTRACT

Anti-tubercular drugs are known to cause hepatotoxicity, which may lead to noncompliance to drug therapy. Stimuliv, an indigenous compound formulation, is reported to be useful in liver disorders. Efficacy of prophylactic administration of stimuliv against anti-tubercular drugs-induced hepatotoxicity was studied in this double blind randomized clinical trial. One hundred and forty-five newly diagnosed patients of tuberculosis were included in the study. Out of these, sixty three patients were treated with stimuliv (2 tablets thrice daily), sixty received the placebo, while twenty-two dropped out of the study. The patients were assessed clinically and biochemically at two-week intervals over a period of two months. In stimuliv-treated group, the incidence and severity of hepatotoxicity was significantly less (p < 0.05) as compared to placebo-treated group. In addition, patients treated with stimuliv had better appetite and weight gain. Stimuliv treatment may be recommended in newly diagnosed adult patients of tuberculosis.