Tuberculosis Medications Program

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Tuberculosis (TB) Prevention and Control Program provides TB medications free of charge for persons with latent TB infection (LTBI) or active TB disease who reside in Minnesota. Treatment regimens using medications supplied by MDH must follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines for treatment of LTBI or treatment of active TB disease. Attention: Non-MDH web link

On this page:
Medications for latent TB infection
Medication for active TB disease

Medication for latent TB infection

To request medications for the treatment of LTBI, the clinician should contact the MDH TB Medications Coordinator at 651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414.

The clinician will be asked to provide pertinent demographic and clinical information and a copy of the prescription(s).

The completed LTBI Medication Request Form (PDF:93KB/2 pages) (fill-in version Word:108KB/2 pages) may be faxed to 651-201-5500 or mailed to:

MDH TB Prevention and Control Program
Immunization, Tuberculosis and International Health Section
Minnesota Department of Health
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975

MDH (through its contracted pharmacy) will ship the patient's first month supply of LTBI medication to the designated clinic or local public health agency (or other health care provider licensed to administer medications) within 5 working days of when the request form is received. If the form is incomplete or the request is not consistent with national LTBI treatment guidelines (PDF:351KB/71 pages), the shipment may be delayed. Attention: Non-MDH web link

When the patient picks up the first bottle, complete the LTBI Medication Start Date Verification Form (PDF:56KB/1 page) that was enclosed with the first shipment and fax to 651-201-5500 or mail to the above address. After MDH receives confirmation that the patient has begun to pick up the medication, monthly shipments will continue until the regimen is complete, or until MDH is notified that treatment has been stopped or transferred.

The health care provider who receives the medications is responsible for monitoring the patient at least monthly for adverse reactions and for adherence to the regimen. A monitoring flowsheet (PDF:31KB/2 pages) is available from MDH to assist with this process.

Quick-reference dosing table for LTBI medication.
LTBI Dosing: INH (PDF:35KB/1 page)

Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Maximizing Adherence (PDF:47KB/2 pages)
Fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that presents practical techniques for increasing patient adherence to LTBI treatment. Please contact MDH staff for additional guidance. Attention: Non-MDH link

Medication for active TB disease

To request medications for treatment of active TB disease, the clinician should contact the MDH TB Nurse Case Manager at 651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414. The clinician will be asked to provide pertinent clinical and demographic information and a copy of the prescription(s).

Medications will be sent monthly to the designated clinic, local public health agency, or other health care provider licensed to administer medications.

If a patient being treated for active TB disease stops therapy, fails to pick up medications, or if treatment is discontinued, please contact the MDH TB Nurse Case Manager immediately.

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If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 (TTY: 651-201-5797) for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.