Drug-resistant TB, including MDR-TB, means the TB bacteria are not killed by some of the usual medicines. It is still treatable, with different medicines given at specialised drug-resistant TB centres.
हिंदी में सार
दवा-प्रतिरोधी टीबी (MDR-TB) में कुछ सामान्य दवाइयाँ असर नहीं करतीं, फिर भी इसका इलाज संभव है। इलाज विशेष DR-TB केंद्रों पर होता है। BPaLM नाम का 6 महीने का इलाज सितंबर 2024 में मंज़ूर हुआ; दूसरे इलाज 9 से 11 महीने या उससे लंबे होते हैं। कौन सा इलाज होगा, यह डॉक्टर तय करते हैं।
Never stop or change TB medicines on your own
Do not stop, skip or change your TB medicines without talking to your doctor or DOTS provider, even if you feel better. Stopping early can bring TB back and can make it drug-resistant.
Contact your health facility at once if you have:
- yellow eyes or yellow skin, or dark urine with pale stools
- any change in your eyesight, such as blurring or trouble seeing colours
- severe or repeated vomiting, or you cannot keep food down
- a skin rash, itching with swelling, or blisters
How drug resistance is found
Rapid NAAT tests (CBNAAT or Truenat) show rifampicin resistance at diagnosis. Further tests such as line probe assay and culture check resistance to other medicines. See CBNAAT and Truenat.
Regimens at overview level
| Regimen | About how long | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BPaLM (bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid, with or without moxifloxacin) | 6 months | Approved for India’s programme in September 2024; rolled out with training |
| Shorter oral bedaquiline-containing regimen | 9 to 11 months | An initial phase of at least 4 months, then a continuation phase of 5 months |
| Longer oral regimens | Up to about 20 months | Used when shorter regimens are not suitable |
Which regimen is right depends on test results, earlier treatment, other illnesses and pregnancy. Only the drug-resistant TB centre decides. This page gives no doses.
During drug-resistant TB treatment
- Follow-up tests are more frequent than for drug-sensitive TB.
- Side effects can be different; report every problem.
- Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana covers drug-resistant TB too: Rs 1,000 per month of treatment as of October 2026.
- Household contacts may be offered preventive treatment suited to the resistance pattern.
The NTEP knowledge base says the shorter oral bedaquiline-containing regimen is not given before 32 weeks of pregnancy, and treatment choices in pregnancy are made jointly by the obstetrician and the DR-TB centre doctor.
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Frequently asked questions
Is MDR-TB curable?
Yes, it can be cured with the right regimen taken in full, though treatment is harder than for drug-sensitive TB.
What is XDR-TB?
Extensively drug-resistant TB is resistant to even more medicines. It is treated at specialised centres.
Is MDR-TB treatment free?
Yes, under the national programme.
Can MDR-TB spread to family?
Yes, drug-resistant TB spreads the same way. Household contacts should be checked, and may get preventive treatment.
Medical review note. Written from official TB programme guidelines; last checked 16 October 2026. This is general information, not medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, see a doctor at your nearest government health facility.