Co-administration of treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis and hepatitis C: rapid communication

Overview

This rapid communication aims to inform national TB programmes, technical partners, and other stakeholders about the key implications for the co-administration of treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis and hepatitis C, facilitating seamless integration and planning at the country level.

The expert evidence indicated that co-administering MDR-TB and HCV treatments, as compared to delaying HCV treatment while treating MDR-TB alone, may yield several benefits. These benefits include an increase in MDR-TB treatment success rates, fewer cases of MDR-TB treatment failure, reduced instances of patients lost to follow-up, and a slight decrease in mortality rates.

It is essential to recognize that patients with MDR/RR-TB can undergo treatment with either shorter or longer all-oral regimens concurrently with hepatitis C treatment.

The decision to administer both treatment regimens should be informed by knowledge of potential drug-drug interactions and patient preferences. Importantly, the unavailability of HCV treatment should not impede the initiation of MDR treatment.

The forthcoming edition of the WHO consolidated guidelines on the treatment of TB and drug-resistant TB will feature updated recommendations and detailed results of the evidence review that informed the analysis.