What is a common side effect of INH therapy that patients should be monitored for?

Nausea is a known common side effect of isoniazid (INH) therapy, which is used primarily for the treatment and prevention of tuberculosis. During treatment with INH, patients may experience gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea, due to the drug's impact on the stomach lining and its metabolic effects. This side effect can lead to decreased compliance with the treatment regimen, making it important for healthcare providers to monitor patients for any signs of nausea.

In clinical practice, managing side effects is critical to ensuring that patients adhere to their treatment regimens, as they can significantly affect the effectiveness of the therapy. Monitoring for nausea allows healthcare professionals to provide timely interventions, which may include dietary adjustments or medications to alleviate symptoms, ultimately supporting better patient outcomes.

The other options may also be symptoms associated with various medications but are less commonly linked directly to INH therapy itself. For instance, weight gain and excessive sweating are less frequently reported, while constipation is not a typical side effect of INH. Understanding the common side effects of medications helps in providing comprehensive care to patients undergoing treatment.