SKIP TO CONTENT

HOME

GLOSSARY

EXIT

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348

https://wwwn.cdc.gov/dcs/ContactUs/Form

USA.gov

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

There are several treatment regimens recommended in the United States for TB disease. TB disease treatment can take 4, 6, or 9 months depending on the regimen. In some cases, treatment can last much longer. For example, multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) might require 18 to 24 months or longer to treat.  

Regimens for treating TB have an intensive phase of 2 months, followed by a continuation phase.  The continuation phase is 2, 4, or 7 months depending on the regimen. This is because even though most tubercle bacilli are killed within the first weeks of treatment (intensive phase), some remain in the body. To kill those remaining bacteria, treatment with at least 2 drugs must continue for several more months (continuation phase).  

If treatment is cut short, the remaining bacilli may develop drug resistance, and TB disease may re-occur.