What is MDR-TB?

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis or MDR-TB happens when TB bacteria no longer respond to isoniazid and rifampicin, the two most effective first-line TB medicines.

Can MDR-TB be cured?

Yes. MDR-TB is treatable and curable when the right combination of medicines is taken properly and consistently. The World Health Organization (WHO) now recommends all-oral regimens which are treatment plans made up entirely of tablets or capsules, with no injectable drugs.

These all-oral regimens are designed to be safer and easier for patients to complete. They may include newer or repurposed medicines such as bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid, clofazimine, and moxifloxacin, taken together in specific combinations for about six to nine months. The exact drugs and duration depend on the patient’s test results and national guidelines.

How do people get MDR-TB?

Drug resistance can happen when TB treatment is taken incorrectly like for example, skipping doses, stopping too early, or using the wrong combination or poor-quality medicines. MDR-TB can also spread from one person to another, just like regular TB.

Why testing matters

Rapid tests that detect rifampicin resistance allow health workers to identify MDR-TB early and start the correct all-oral regimen immediately, improving the chances of recovery.

Reminders for patients and families

• Finish every dose exactly as prescribed by your doctor
• Do not buy or share TB medicines without medical advice
• Attend all follow-up visits and report any side effects early
• Encourage household screening if someone is diagnosed with TB

Sources

• World Health Organization. Guidelines for the Treatment of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis, 2022 Update (Module 4: Treatment – Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis). Geneva: WHO, 2022.
• World Health Organization. WHO announces landmark changes in treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis. News release, April 2025.
• Health Policy Watch. WHO recommends three shorter, oral treatments for drug-resistant TB. Published 2025.
• Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP). Trial data support three shorter, all-oral treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB. University of Minnesota, 2025.