Psychiatric disorders in patients receiving anti-tuberculosis drugs

Eleven in-patients of the hospital for Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases, Hyderabad, who presented with psychiatric symptoms resulting in maladjustment were examined and placed in different diagnostic groups. There were five psychotics and six neurotics. Out of the five psychotics, three were manic and two were depressive. Among the six neutrotics, three were depressive and one each of anxiety, obsessive compulsive and phobic neurosis. All the patients improved on withdrawal of anti-tuberculosis drugs and there was no recurrence or symptoms on reintroduction of anti-tuberculosis drugs other than isoniazid. On re-introduction of Isoniazid, symptoms recurred. The psychiatric disorders were most likely due to Isoniazid and they were neither dose nor duration related. However, Isoniazid may be readministered in the less severe forms along with appropriate drugs to control psychiatric side-effects.