A 35 year old pilot has been detected to have pulmonary tuberculosis. Which one of the following should NOT be prescribed for him?

Question

Treatment with INH (isoniazid) leads to deficiency of which vitamin?

Answer 1

A pilot's job depends on flawless vision, so we need the TB drug most likely to harm the eyes.

Isoniazid: Known for nerve damage in the hands and feet and for liver strain, not eye problems. Safe to use here.
Ethambutol: Can inflame the optic nerve and specifically weakens red green color perception. For someone who must read cockpit displays and signal lights without error, this risk rules the drug out.
Pyrazinamide: Mostly affects the liver and can raise uric acid, causing joint pain, not vision issues.
Streptomycin: Known for harming hearing, balance, and the kidneys, not the eyes.

Only ethambutol threatens the exact skill a pilot cannot do without, clear color vision, so it is the drug to avoid.

Let's summarize:

Ethambutol's main danger is optic neuritis with red green color blindness.
This makes it unsuitable for anyone whose job depends on perfect vision, like a pilot.

So ethambutol should not be prescribed for this pilot.

Answer 2

A pilot's job depends on flawless vision, so we need the TB drug most likely to harm the eyes.

Isoniazid: Known for nerve damage in the hands and feet and for liver strain, not eye problems. Safe to use here.
Ethambutol: Can inflame the optic nerve and specifically weakens red green color perception. For someone who must read cockpit displays and signal lights without error, this risk rules the drug out.
Pyrazinamide: Mostly affects the liver and can raise uric acid, causing joint pain, not vision issues.
Streptomycin: Known for harming hearing, balance, and the kidneys, not the eyes.

Only ethambutol threatens the exact skill a pilot cannot do without, clear color vision, so it is the drug to avoid.

Let's summarize:

Ethambutol's main danger is optic neuritis with red green color blindness.
This makes it unsuitable for anyone whose job depends on perfect vision, like a pilot.

So ethambutol should not be prescribed for this pilot.

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