What should be done if a patient misses multiple doses of INH?

If a patient misses multiple doses of isoniazid (INH), contacting the healthcare provider for guidance on how to proceed is the appropriate course of action. This is vital because missed doses can not only affect the effectiveness of the treatment but also increase the risk of developing drug resistance.

A healthcare provider can assess the situation—consider factors such as how many doses were missed, the duration of the lapse, and the patient's treatment history—to provide individualized instructions. This may include guidance on whether to resume the medication as per the regular schedule, adjust dosing, or possibly implement a different strategy to ensure the patient's treatment remains effective.

In contrast, simply continuing the medication as before could lead to under-medication, while ignoring missed doses can impact the treatment outcome negatively. Stopping the medication altogether without professional advice jeopardizes the patient's recovery and can lead to complications. Engaging with a healthcare professional ensures the patient receives the safest and most effective approach to managing their treatment.