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Clinical cure rates in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) are only 54% despite prolonged courses of therapy. Moxifloxacin and linezolid represent viable alternative treatments for patients with either drug resistance or intolerance to isoniazid or rifampin. Verapamil, long used in the treatment of hypertension, has been shown to inhibit mycobacterial and macrophage efflux pumps, thereby enhancing antimicrobial effects and intracellular activity.
Researchers used a murine model to examine the benefit of adding verapamil to moxifloxacin-plus-linezolid therapy. Utilizing human-equivalent doses, they found a statistically lower mycobacterial load in the lungs after 12 weeks with the addition of verapamil (log 10 colony-forming units per lung,…