What are the potential consequences of missing doses of INH?

Missing doses of isoniazid (INH) can lead to serious complications in the course of treatment for tuberculosis. When doses are skipped, particularly during the early stages of treatment, it creates an environment where the bacteria may not be effectively suppressed. This can lead to treatment failure, which means that the infection could continue to progress, and the patient would not see the intended therapeutic benefits of the medication.

Moreover, when INH is taken inconsistently, it increases the likelihood that the bacteria might adapt and develop resistance to the drug. Drug resistance is a significant concern in tuberculosis treatment, as it can complicate future treatment efforts, necessitating the use of more toxic and less effective second-line drugs. This escalation not only poses a threat to the individual’s health but also increases the risk of transmission of resistant strains to others.

In contrast, the other choices suggest that missing doses could have negligible or easily managed consequences, which wrongly minimizes the seriousness of medication adherence, especially in treating infectious diseases like tuberculosis. Maintaining a consistent dosing schedule is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of treatment and prevent complications.