6.3.1 When should suspension of TB treatment be considered?

TB treatment often consists of an initial treatment cycle and, if no response is seen, it is necessary to reassess the regimen and treatment plan as well as to formulate a new plan of action. Suspension of drug therapy is recommended in cases where the medical personnel involved are confident that the patient has been adherent to the prescribed regimen, the patient is on the correct regimen with respect to drug sensitivities (e.g. the patient is not on a DS-TB regimen if they may have DR-TB) and there is no possibility of offering another effective therapy (61). In patients who have no therapeutic options, there is a medical, moral and public health obligation to continue providing care to the end of life with proper infection control (91, 103).

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