Uses of Ethamben: - Tuberculosis (TB) Tuberculosis Hypersensitivity; optic neuritis. Lactation.

Anti-Tubercular Chemotherapeutics

Ethambutol appears to inhibit the synthesis of 1 or more metabolites in susceptible bacteria resulting in impairment of cellular metabolism, arrest of multiplication, and cell death. It is active against susceptible bacteria only when they are undergoing cell division.

How to use Ethambutol: Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Ethambutol may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. Administration: Should be taken with food. Adult Dose: Oral Primary treatment of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis Adult: Initial 8 wk: 15 mg/kg/day or 30 mg/kg thrice wkly given with isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide. For patients with history of antimycobacterial therapy: Initial doses: 25 mg/kg/day for 60 days, thereafter reduce to 15 mg/kg/day. Child Dose: Tuberculosis Child: PO 15–25 mg/kg, max 2.5 g q24h For treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis: 15-25 mg/kg daily or 50 mg/kg twice wkly. For congenitally acquired tuberculosis: Neonates: 15 mg/kg once daily and >1 mth: 15 mg/kg once daily or 30 mg/kg 3 times wkly for 2 mth initial treatment phase. Renal Dose: Renal impairment: Dose adjustment may be needed as determined by blood levels of ethambutol.

Delayed or reduced absorption w/ Al hydroxide.

Hypersensitivity; optic neuritis. Lactation.

Common - Visual impairment - Color blindness Acute gout or hyperuricemia,Abdominal pain,Anaphylaxis,Anorexia,Confusion, disorientation,Fever,Headache,LFT abnormalities,Malaise,Nausea Optic neuritis; symptoms may include decreased acuity, color blindness or visual defects (usually revrsible with discontinuation, though irreversible blindness has been reported) Peripheral neuritis,Pruritis,Rash,Vomiting

Category C: Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the foetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus.

Precaution: Impaired pre-treatment visual acuity, elderly, children. Perform liver, kidney and visual acuity tests regularly. Caution when assessing visual acuity in patients with cataracts, DM, recurrent eye inflammation to make sure that changes are not due to the underlying causes. Lactation: enters breast milk; use with caution (AAP Committee states "compatible with nursing")

Store between 20-25°C. Protect from light, moisture and excessive heat.

Anti-Tubercular Chemotherapeutics

Ethambutol interferes with RNA synthesis, causing suppression of Mycobacteria multiplication. It also has bacteriostatic action against M tuberculosis by acting on rapidly growing pathogens in cavity walls and is also effective in slow-growing pathogens. Has some action against atypical opportunistic Mycobacteria e.g. M kansasii, M avium complex (MAC).

Pregnancy Category: B Lactation: enters breast milk; use with caution (AAP Committee states "compatible with nursing")