Sorfequiline is Not a Recognized Treatment for Tuberculosis
There is no evidence supporting the use of sorfequiline for tuberculosis treatment, and it does not appear in any established TB treatment guidelines or drug regimens.
Critical Finding
The provided evidence contains no mention of "sorfequiline" in any CDC, WHO, ATS/ERS/IDSA guidelines, or research literature on tuberculosis treatment 1. This drug name does not correspond to any approved anti-tuberculosis medication.
Established TB Treatment Framework
For Drug-Susceptible TB
- Standard first-line regimen consists of isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide for 6 months 1
- A 4-month rifapentine-moxifloxacin regimen has proven non-inferior to the traditional 6-month standard 2
For Multidrug-Resistant TB (MDR-TB)
The cornerstone of MDR-TB treatment is bedaquiline-containing regimens, which demonstrate superior outcomes:
- Bedaquiline should be included to achieve a total of five effective drugs for MDR-TB treatment 1
- Bedaquiline-containing regimens show significantly lower mortality (12.6% vs 24.8% in standard regimens) 1
- Recommended dosing: 400 mg daily for 2 weeks, then 200 mg three times weekly for 22 weeks, always with food 1
Current Recommended MDR-TB Combinations
- Preferred regimen: Bedaquiline + levofloxacin (or moxifloxacin) + linezolid, supplemented by cycloserine and/or clofazimine 3
- Bedaquiline combined with linezolid shows adjusted odds ratio of 2.7 for treatment success 1
- Bedaquiline combined with clofazimine shows adjusted odds ratio of 5.0 for treatment success 1
Critical Safety Considerations
Why Unproven Drugs Should Not Be Used
- Adding medications outside established regimens increases risk of adverse effects without proven benefit 4
- MDR-TB already carries mortality rates exceeding 10% (range 8-21%), requiring evidence-based treatment 1
Monitoring Requirements for Approved Regimens
- ECG monitoring after initial 2 weeks, then monthly to assess QT prolongation when using bedaquiline 1
- Serum electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, potassium) monitoring 1
- Drug susceptibility testing for fluoroquinolones, bedaquiline, and linezolid before treatment initiation 3
Common Pitfall to Avoid
Do not use unrecognized or experimental agents for TB treatment outside of approved clinical trials. TB treatment requires:
- Combination therapy with at least 4-5 drugs to prevent resistance development 1
- Directly observed therapy to ensure adherence 2
- Evidence-based regimens with established efficacy and safety profiles 5, 6
The emergence of drug-resistant strains is primarily driven by inadequate medical management, making adherence to guideline-based regimens essential 6, 7.