Urine Redness to Nausea, These are the Side Effects of TB Drugs that Need to be Known

Illustration of nausea. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - Tuberculosis (TB) treatment does require discipline because it lasts for quite some time.

During therapy, some patients may experience side effects of the drug. However, most of the complaints that arise are considered mild and can still be handled without having to stop treatment.

Titi Sundari, Sp.P(K), FISR, a pulmonary specialist at Prof. Sulianti Saroso Infectious Disease Hospital, explained that the common side effects experienced by TB patients are usually a decrease in appetite, nausea, feeling tired, and itching without accompanying rashes or redness on the skin.

In addition, a number of patients also complained of headaches, joint pain, flu-like sensations, body temperature felt warmer, to changes in urine color to redness. "These complaints generally fall into the mild category," he said in a webinar monitored from Jakarta.

However, there are certain conditions that need to be aware of. If the patient experiences nausea or vomiting, it could be related to liver dysfunction. Another sign to be aware of is a change in the color of the eyes to yellow, which can also indicate problems with the liver.

Dr. Titi emphasized that not all patients will experience severe side effects. Many TB patients can undergo treatment to the end without any complaints. This condition is also influenced by the health status of each individual outside of TB therapy.

In general, side effects of TB drugs can be experienced by various age groups, ranging from children to adults. In the elderly, the risk of certain effects may increase because organ functions such as the liver and kidneys have decreased. Meanwhile, patients with immune system disorders, such as HIV/AIDS, or those who already have kidney disorders, have the potential to experience more serious side effects.

Regarding urine that turns reddish, Dr. Titi explained that this is generally caused by the drug rifampicin. This condition is not dangerous and will return to normal after the use of the drug is stopped according to the schedule of therapy.

Therefore, patients are urged to continue to communicate with health workers if they experience complaints during treatment, so that it can be determined whether the symptoms are mild or require further treatment.