Rifampin in association with isoniazid, streptomycin, and ethambutol, respectively, in the initial treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

A clinical trial of rifampin in association with isoniazid, streptomycin, or ethambutol was carried out in 220 patients with tuberculosis who had never received antituberculous drugs. A control group of patients was treated with isoniazid and streptomycin. The efficacy of rifampin was comparable to that of isoniazid; the combination of rifampin and isoniazid gave better results than isoniazid with streptomycin. Rifampin was well tolerated and no side effects were noted.