In the most commonly used regimen, the continuation phase lasts how long?

In the most commonly used regimen, the continuation phase lasts how long?

• A. 4 months
• B. 2 months
• C. 6 months
• D. 9 months

Answer: (A)

In the standard first-line TB regimen for drug-susceptible disease, treatment is split into two phases: an initial intensive phase lasting 2 months, followed by a continuation phase lasting 4 months. During the continuation phase, only isoniazid and rifampin are continued (ethambutol and pyrazinamide are stopped after the initial 2 months). This setup gives a total treatment duration of about 6 months, with the continuation phase specifically lasting 4 months to finish eradicating residual bacteria and prevent relapse.

In the standard first-line TB regimen for drug-susceptible disease, treatment is split into two phases: an initial intensive phase lasting 2 months, followed by a continuation phase lasting 4 months. During the continuation phase, only isoniazid and rifampin are continued (ethambutol and pyrazinamide are stopped after the initial 2 months). This setup gives a total treatment duration of about 6 months, with the continuation phase specifically lasting 4 months to finish eradicating residual bacteria and prevent relapse.