Three cases of intentional isoniazid overdose – a life-threatening condition

David Francis Stead; Carolyn Ruth Mason

doi:10.7196/SAMJ.2016.v106i9.10582

In Practice

Three cases of intentional isoniazid overdose – a life-threatening condition

David Francis Stead, Carolyn Ruth Mason

Abstract

Currently, isoniazid (INH) overdose seems to be a growing and life-threatening problem, partly due to the recent national roll-out of INH
preventive therapy (IPT) for HIV-positive adults. We present three cases, two of which were fatal, seen at Frere and Cecilia Makiwane
hospitals, East London, South Africa over the past 16 months.

Authors' affiliations

David Francis Stead, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Frere Hospital, East London; Department of Medicine, Frere and Cecilia Makiwane hospitals, East London; and Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha

Carolyn Ruth Mason, Department of Medicine, Frere and Cecilia Makiwane hospitals, East London; and Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha