Pharmacodynamic interference between rifampicin and isoniazid

Chemotherapy. 1978;24(2):97-103. doi: 10.1159/000237767.

Abstract

This study includes 30 children below the age of 3 years, distributed in three groups of 10 children each. One group received 15 mg/kg/day of rifampicin (RAMP), the other received 15 mg/kg/day of isoniazid (INH) and the third received both drugs (RAMP + INH) at the same doses. Plasma levels of RAMP and INH were determined. At the same time, some hepatic function parameters were analyzed: bilirubin, transaminases, alkaline phosphatases and prothrombin. Plasma levels of INH administered alone show significantly higher levels on the 7th day with respect to the 1st day, thus demonstrating a marked tendency towards the accumulation of successive doses. Very significant differences exist between initial and final values of transaminases in the RAMP + INH group. There are no significant differences in the other two groups. These data suggest a hepatic overload when both drugs are simultaneously administered.

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / blood
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Bilirubin / blood
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Interactions
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Isoniazid / blood
  • Isoniazid / pharmacology*
  • Isoniazid / urine
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Prothrombin / analysis
  • Rifampin / blood
  • Rifampin / pharmacology*
  • Rifampin / urine

Substances

  • Prothrombin
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • Bilirubin
  • Isoniazid
  • Rifampin