Flu-like and Other Systemic Drug Reactions Among Persons Receiving Weekly Rifapentine Plus Isoniazid or Daily Isoniazid for Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in the PREVENT Tuberculosis Study

Abstract

Background: Weekly rifapentine plus isoniazid for 3 months (3HP) is as effective as daily isoniazid for 9 months (9H) for latent tuberculosis infection in high-risk persons, but there have been reports of possible flu-like syndrome.

Methods: We identified clinically significant systemic drug reactions (SDR) and evaluated risk factors in patients who did not complete treatment in the PREVENT Tuberculosis study.

Results: Among 7552 persons who received ≥ 1 dose of study drug, 153 had a SDR: 138/3893 (3.5%) with 3HP vs 15/3659 (0.4%) with 9H (P < .001). In the 3HP arm, 87 (63%) had flu-like syndrome and 23 (17%) had cutaneous reactions; 13/3893 (0.3%) had severe reactions (6 were hypotensive) and 6 reported syncope. Symptoms occurred after a median of 3 doses, and 4 hours after the dose; median time to resolution was 24 hours. There were no deaths. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, factors independently associated with SDR included receipt of 3HP (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 9.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.5, 16.2), white non-Hispanic race/ethnicity (aOR 3.3; 95% CI, 2.3, 4.7), female sex (aOR 2.0; 95% CI, 1.4, 2.9), age ≥ 35 years (aOR 2.0; 95% CI, 1.4, 2.9), and lower body mass index (body mass index [BMI]; P = .009). In a separate multivariate analysis among persons who received 3HP, severe SDR were associated with white non-Hispanic race/ethnicity (aOR 5.4; 95% CI, 1.8, 16.3), and receipt of concomitant non-study medications (aOR 5.9; 95% CI, 1.3, 27.1).

Conclusions: SDR were more common with 3HP, and mostly flu-like. Persons of white race, female sex, older age, and lower BMI were at increased risk. Severe reactions were rare and associated with 3HP, concomitant medication, and white race. The underlying mechanism is unclear.

Clinical trials registration: NCT00023452.

Keywords: adverse drug reaction; flu-like syndrome; isoniazid; rifapentine; treatment of latent M. tuberculosis infection.

Figure 1.

Adverse events (AE) evaluated in the PREVENT Tuberculosis study. ^aCompletion of treatment definition: 11/12 doses in the 3HP or 240/270 in the 9H arm; ^bCriteria for possible hypersensitivity: (1) hypotension (systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg), urticaria, angioedema (defined as swelling around the lips or eyes), acute bronchospasm, or conjunctivitis (red eyes); or (2) ≥4 of these symptoms concurrently, ≥1 of which was grade 2 or higher: weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, aches, sweats, dizziness, shortness of breath, flushing, or chills; ^cSevere Adverse Event: hospitalization, hypotension (systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg) or loss of consciousness, anaphylaxis, or grade 4 toxicity. These categories were not mutually exclusive; ^d3HP: 3 months of once-weekly rifapentine plus isoniazid given under direct observation; ^e9H: 9 months of daily isoniazid given self-administered; ^fOne report was received after the 6 cases of hypotension reported in the parent PREVENT Tuberculosis study. Abbreviation: ADR, adverse drug reaction.