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Other brands with the same active ingredient
These brands contain the same active ingredient (Ethambutol). Strength and form may differ — confirm substitution with your doctor or pharmacist before switching.
Indications & Uses
Esbutol is indicated for:
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Ethambutol should not be used alone, in initial treatment or in retreatment. Ethambutol should be administered on a once every 24-hour basis only. Absorption is not significantly altered by administration with food. Therapy, in general, should be continued until bacteriological conversion has become permanent and maximal clinical improvement has occurred.Ethambutol is not recommended for use in pediatric patients under thirteen years of age since safe conditions for use have not been established.Initial Treatment: In patients who have not received previous antituberculous therapy, administer Ethambutol 15 mg/kg of body weight, as a single oral dose once every 24 hours. In the more recent studies, isoniazid has been administered concurrently in a single, daily, oral dose.Retreatment: In patients who have received previous antituberculous therapy, administer Ethambutol 25 mg/kg of body weight, as a single oral dose once every 24 hours. Concurrently administer at least one other antituberculous drug to which the organisms have been demonstrated to be susceptible by appropriate in vitro tests. Suitable drugs usually consist of those not previously used in the treatment of the patient. After 60 days of Ethambutol administration, decrease the dose to 15 mg/kg of body weight, and administer as a single oral dose once every 24 hours.During the period when a patient is on a daily dose of 25 mg/kg, monthly eye examinations are advised.Renal Impairment: Dose adjustment may be needed as determined by blood levels of ethambutol.
Side Effects
Ethambutol can cause retrobulbar neuritis, with reduced visual acuity, a narrowed visual field, central or peripheral scotoma, and green-red colour blindness in 1 or both eyes. It may reduce renal clearance of urate and precipitate acute gout. Other effects include confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, headache, dizziness, malaise, jaundice or transient liver dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, thrombocytopenia, pulmonary infiltrates, eosinophilia and GI disturbances (e.g. nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain). Rarely, retinal haemorrhage and hypersensitivity reactions including rashes, pruritus, leucopenia, fever and joint pains may occur.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Use with care in people who have eye problems (such as cataracts, recurring eye inflammation, or diabetic neuropathy), in those with kidney impairment, and during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Contraindications
Ethambutol should not be used by anyone known to be hypersensitive (allergic) to it. It should also not be used by patients with known optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve), unless a doctor judges that its use is appropriate. Ethambutol should not be used by patients who are unable to notice and report visual side effects or changes in their vision.