Full formMedical & Health
INHstands forIsoniazid
Full Form of INH
What is INH?
Isoniazid (INH) is a first-line antibiotic used primarily for the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis (TB). It is one of the four cornerstone drugs in the standard short-course chemotherapy regimen recommended by the World Health Organization and widely adopted in India under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), now part of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). INH works by inhibiting the synthesis of mycolic acids in the bacterial cell wall, making it bactericidal against actively dividing Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In India, where TB remains a major public health challenge with the highest burden globally, INH is administered either as a single drug or in fixed-dose combinations with rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. It is also used as preventive therapy for latent TB infection, especially among children and people living with HIV. The drug is taken orally and is generally well-tolerated, though it can rarely cause hepatitis, requiring monitoring of liver function. For medical students and healthcare professionals preparing for Indian exams like NEET PG, AIIMS, and state medical entrance tests, a thorough understanding of INH's mechanism, resistance patterns, and adverse effects is essential. Its importance in India’s TB control strategy makes it a recurring topic in pharmacology and public health questions.
INH का फुल फॉर्म
आइसोनियाज़िड
Example
The patient was prescribed a daily dose of 300 mg INH along with rifampicin and pyrazinamide for the first two months of intensive phase TB therapy.
INH — frequently asked questions
What is the full form of INH?
The full form of INH is Isoniazid, an antibiotic primarily used for tuberculosis (TB) treatment and prevention.
What are the common side effects of INH?
Common side effects include peripheral neuropathy (prevented by vitamin B6), hepatitis, and mild gastrointestinal upset. Liver function monitoring is recommended.
Why is INH important in India's TB control program?
INH is a key drug in India's National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), used in standard regimen for drug-sensitive TB and as preventive therapy for latent infections.