MSF short-course MDR-TB regimen

The MSF short-course MDR-TB regimen is a 9-11 month combination therapy protocol developed and evaluated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Netherlands for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). This regimen significantly shortens the treatment duration from the traditional 20-24 month standard of care. It consists of an intensive phase (4-6 months) comprising seven drugs: high-dose isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol, moxifloxacin, prothionamide, clofazimine, and an injectable agent (either capreomycin or kanamycin). This is followed by a 5-month continuation phase with five oral drugs (moxifloxacin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, prothionamide, and clofazimine). The regimen was specifically evaluated in programmatic conditions in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, to address high rates of drug resistance and improve patient adherence and outcomes.

Other names

short course MDR-TB treatment regimen-Medecins Sans Frontieres, Netherlands-multidrug-resistant tuberculosis9-month short-course MDR-TB regimenSimplified Short Regimen for MDR-TBKarakalpakstan regimenBangladesh regimen