Ethambutol: functions, dosage, side effects, instructions for use

Ethambutol What Medicine?

What is Ethambutol for?

Ethambutol is an antibiotic drug with a function to stop bacterial growth. Ethambutol is used with other medicines to treat tuberculosis (TB).

This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. These antibiotics will not work to treat diseases caused by viral infections such as the flu and common cold. Improper use and abuse can lead to reduced effectiveness of the drug.

Other uses: This section contains benefits of this medicine that are not stated on accepted professional labels but may be able to be prescribed by a doctor.

This drug can also be used with other drugs to treat serious MAC (mycobacterium avium complex) infections. This drug can also be used with other drugs to prevent MAC infection from returning to attack in people with advanced HIV.

Ethambutol dosages and ethambutol side effects are described further below.

How is Ethambutol used?

You can take this medication by mouth before or after meals, usually once daily or as prescribed by your doctor.

If you are also taking antacid medicines that contain aluminum, then take this medicine at least 4 hours before the antacid medicine.

The dose prescribed is based on your age, body weight, medical condition, and response to treatment. Antibiotics work best when they are taken constantly. Therefore, take this drug at an equal interval. To help you remember, take the medicine at the same time each day.

Continue to take this drug (and other TB drugs) until the full prescribed amount is finished, even though the symptoms have disappeared. Stopping the drug too early or skipping the dosing schedule will cause the bacteria to continue to grow which can cause the infection to come back and then the infection becomes more difficult to treat (resistant). Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How is Ethambutol stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Ethambutol dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Ethambutol dosage for adults?

For tuberculosis in adults:

Initial dose: 15 mg orally once a day for 6 to 8 weeks concurrently with isoniazid therapy.

Follow-up dose: 25 mg orally once a day for at least 60 days along with at least one other anti-TB drug. After 60 days, reduce the dose to 15mg orally once a day.

As an alternative to the once daily dose, a dose of 40 mg orally twice per week or 30 mg orally 3 times per week can also be used. This dosage is usually followed by 2 weeks of daily therapy. This rule allows for directly observed therapy.

For the treatment of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection in adults:

900 mg orally once a day. Pulmonary AVI treatment includes clarithomycin and 2-4 other drugs such as ethambutol, rifampi, clofazimine, and / or other drugs. The duration of this treatment is 18-24 months.

Treatment of diffuse MAI consists of clarithromycin for azithromycin and 1-3 other drugs such as ethambutol, clofazamine, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, rifampin, rifabutin, or amikacin. As long as clinical and microbiological responses are documented, therapy should be continued for life.

For the treatment of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection - Prophylaxis 15 mg orally once a day is used in combination with clarithromycin or azithromycin therapy. Therapy must be lifelong.

What is the Ethambutol dosage for children?

Usual pediatric dose for tuberculosis - active

Children over 13 years of age: Initial treatment: 15 mg orally once a day for 6 to 8 weeks along with isoniazid therapy. Re-treatment: 25 mg orally once a day for 60 days along with at least one other anti-TB drug. After 60 days, reduce the dose to 15 mg orally once a day. As an alternative to a single daily dose, 40 mg orally twice a week or 30 mg orally 3 times a week. This is generally followed by 2 weeks of daily therapy. This rule allows for directly observed therapy.

Pediatric Dose for Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare - Treatment

Children over 13 years: 900 mg orally once a day. Pulmonary AVI treatment consists of clarithromycin and 2-4 other drugs such as ethambutol, rifampin, clofazimine, and / or other agents. Treatment usually lasts 18 to 24 months. Treatment of diffuse MAI consists of clarithromycin or azithromycin and 1-3 other drugs such as ethambutol, clofazimine, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, rifampin, rifabutin, or amikacin. As long as clinical and microbiological responses are documented, therapy should be continued for life.

Pediatric Dose for Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare - Prophylaxis

Children over 13 years of age: 15 mg orally once a day. Used in combination therapy with clarithromycin or azithromycin. Therapy should be continued for life.

In what dosage is Ethambutol available?

Ethambutol is available in the following dosages: Tablet, Oral, as hydrochloride: 100 mg, 400 mg.

Ethambutol side effects

What side effects can I experience due to Ethambutol?

If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking Ethambutol and seek emergency help immediately or contact your doctor immediately:

• Allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closure of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, or waist)
• Vision changes (such as blurred vision, red-green color vision blindness)
• Itchy
• Numbness or tingling sensation in the fingers, toes, hands, or feet
• Confusion, disorientation, or hallucinations or
• Fever

Other less serious side effects can also be affected, continue taking ethambutol and talk to your doctor if you experience:

• Stomach tension, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or decreased appetite
• Headache
• Lightheadedness
• Worsening of uric acid
• Joint pain

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Ethambutol Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should I know before using Ethambutol?

Before using etambunol,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have an allergy to Ethambutol or any other medicines
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially antacids and vitamins. Antacids in combination with Ethambutol can make this drug less effective. Take Ethambutol 1 hour or 2 hours after antacids
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had kidney, thumb joint, or eye problems such as cataracts
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking Ethambutol, contact your doctor

Is Ethambutol safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Research has found that the process of consuming this drug has a small risk to the baby when it is breastfed.

Ethambutol Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Ethambutol?

Although several drugs should not be used at the same time, in other cases two different drugs can be used together even if there is an interaction. In this case, the doctor may be able to change the dose, or other risk prevention may be needed. While you are taking this medication, it is very important that your doctor knows if you are currently taking any of the following drugs. The interactions below have been selected based on their potential importance and are not always all inclusive.

Using this medication with the types of drugs below can increase your risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both oats are prescribed together, your doctor will change the dose or the frequency with which you take one or both drugs:

• Aluminum Distearate
• Aluminum Hydroxyde
• Dihydroxyaluminum Aninoacetate
• Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate
• Magaldrate

Can food or alcohol interact with Ethambutol?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with Ethambutol?

The presence of other health problems can affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Big toe arthritis. Ethambutol can cause or worsen arthritis of the big toe
• Kidney disorders. Patients with kidney disease can also experience other side effects
• Optic neuritis or eye nerve damage. Ethambutol can cause or worsen eye damage

Ethambutol overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.