First-Line Treatment of Tuberculosis (TB)
for Drug-Sensitive TB

Tuberculosis, which results from an infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, can usually be cured with a combination of first-line drugs taken for several months. Shown here are the four drugs in the standard regimen of first-line drugs and their modes of action. Also shown are the dates these four drugs were discovered—all more than 40 years ago.

Scientific Illustrations of Drug-Resistant TB

First-Line Treatment of Tuberculosis (TB) for Drug-Sensitive TB
Multidrug-Resistant TB (MDR TB) and Possible Effective Treatments
Extensively Drug-Resistant TB (XDR TB), Diminishing Options for Treatment
New TB Drugs Under Development

Learn More

TB Definitions
Drug-Resistant TB—A Visual Tour
TB Home Page

Photo Credit: The photo of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC/ Dr. Ray Butler; Janice Carr.
Illustration Credit: This illustration is in the public domain. Please credit the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
Illustrator: Krista Townsend