ISONIAZID IN TREATMENT OF THE CHRONIC SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENT

Abstract

SINCE the demonstration of the antituberculosis activity in experimental animals and in vitro of the hydrazine derivatives of isonicotinic acid^* and their therapeutic use in human tuberculosis,⁴ both the Committee on Therapy of the American Trudeau Society⁵ and the Tuberculosis Chemotherapy Trials Committee of the Medical Research Council of Great Britain⁶ have mentioned the occurrence of adverse mental reactions as one of the occasional toxic effects. An early report noted intensified color imagery.⁷ Similar color intoxication has been observed preceding the formed visual hallucinations in mescaline † and d-lysergic acid¹⁰ psychosis. The usual progression, however, is from irritability to a toxic delirium, with confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, and delusions.‡ In one of the two cases of peripheral neuropathy described by Jones and Jones¹³ an associated pellagra-like dermatitis and mental confusion followed isoniazid therapy. McConnell and Cheetham¹⁴ report acute pellagra during isoniazid therapy, with