CLINICAL EFFICACY OF DOSAGE FORMS IN PATIENTS WITH TUBERCULOSIS AND DIABETES: A COMPARATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Abstract. Introduction. Tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are increasingly recognized as a clinically and epidemiologically significant comorbidity that complicates treatment strategies and worsens clinical outcomes. DM increases the risk of developing active TB and negatively affects treatment response and prognosis. The purpose of this work is to provide a comparative analysis of the clinical efficacy and bioavailability of different antituberculosis dosage forms – tablets, syrups, and injections – used in patients with TB and DM comorbidity. Results and discussion. The literature review demonstrated that the pharmacokinetic properties of each dosage form and patient adherence significantly influence treatment effectiveness. Tablet forms are widely used and convenient, but their bioavailability may be reduced in patients with gastrointestinal complications associated with DM. Syrup formulations are suitable for patients with swallowing difficulties and for children, offering good bioavailability, though their storage stability is lower. Injectable forms provide a rapid therapeutic effect but are less practical for long-term treatment because of the need for medical supervision and potential discomfort. Recent international guidelines emphasize short, fully oral treatment regimens and patient-centered approaches. However, there remains a lack of targeted pharmacokinetic studies focusing on TB–DM populations. Conclusion. Different dosage forms used in TB treatment demonstrate distinct pharmacokinetic profiles and clinical effectiveness, which must be considered in the management of TB–DM comorbidity. Current international recommendations prioritize short oral regimens, but further research is needed to optimize drug formulations and improve treatment outcomes in this vulnerable patient population.