How frequently should liver function tests be monitored for a patient on INH?

For a patient on isoniazid (INH), monitoring liver function tests is essential due to the risk of hepatotoxicity associated with the medication. The recommended practice is to conduct liver function tests on a monthly basis for the first three months of treatment. This initial close monitoring helps to detect any early signs of liver damage, as this is when the risk is greatest.

After the first three months, the frequency of monitoring can be adjusted to every three months. This ongoing assessment is important to ensure the patient's liver health continues to be within safe limits while receiving INH therapy. Regular monitoring allows healthcare providers to identify any potential issues early, thus ensuring timely intervention if liver function becomes compromised.

Other options do not align with the guidelines for monitoring liver function tests in patients taking INH. For instance, weekly testing for a month may be excessive after the initial assessment, and annual testing would not provide adequate oversight in the critical first months of therapy when the risk of hepatotoxicity is highest. Therefore, the chosen answer reflects the recommended monitoring strategy to maintain patient safety during treatment with INH.