Rifampin regimen found to be cheaper than isoniazid for latent TB

A 4-month rifampin regimen was found to be cheaper than a 9-month course of isoniazid for the treatment of latent tuberculosis in a cost-comparison study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Currently, isoniazid is the standard of treatment in most countries for latent tuberculosis infection. The finding that 4 months rifampin treatment is cheaper adds to previously published evidence that this treatment is as effective, while also significantly safer and more likely to be completed, than 6 months or 9 months isoniazid treatment. These findings have the potential to change the way latent tuberculosis is treated.