Indications & Uses
Tubutol is indicated for:
Pharmacology
Ethambutol appears to block the making of 1 or more metabolites in susceptible bacteria. Without them, the cell's metabolism is impaired, the bacteria stop multiplying, and the cells die. The medicine acts on susceptible bacteria only while they are dividing.
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 never be used alone, whether it's initial treatment or retreatment. It should be given once every 24 hours only. Absorption is not significantly altered by taking it with food. In general, therapy should continue until bacteriological conversion has become permanent and maximal clinical improvement has occurred.
Ethambutol is not recommended for pediatric patients under thirteen years of age, because safe conditions for use have not been established.
Initial Treatment
For patients who have not had antituberculous therapy before, give Ethambutol 15 mg/kg of body weight as a single oral dose once every 24 hours. In the more recent studies, isoniazid was given at the same time, as a single daily oral dose.
Retreatment
For patients who have already had antituberculous therapy, give Ethambutol 25 mg/kg of body weight as a single oral dose once every 24 hours. At the same time, give at least one other antituberculous drug to which the organisms have been shown to be susceptible by appropriate in vitro tests. Suitable drugs are usually those the patient has not used before. After 60 days of Ethambutol, reduce the dose to 15 mg/kg of body weight, still as a single oral dose once every 24 hours.
During the period when a patient is on the daily dose of 25 mg/kg, monthly eye examinations are advised.
Renal Impairment
The dose may need adjusting, 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.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Pregnancy Category C. This means that either animal studies have shown some risk to the developing baby (such as birth defects or fetal loss), but no well-controlled studies exist in pregnant women, or no adequate studies have been done in either women or animals. Because of this uncertainty, ethambutol should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother is judged to outweigh the potential risk to the unborn child.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Storage
Keep Ethambutol at a temperature between 20 to 25°C. Protect it from light, moisture and too much heat.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Tubutol 100 mg
What is Tubutol 100 mg Tablet?
Tubutol 100 mg Tablet is a medicine that contains Ethambutol. It is made by ACI HealthCare Limited. It belongs to the Anti-tubercular antibiotics group of medicines.
What is Tubutol used for?
Tubutol is used for: Tuberculosis.
What are the side effects of Tubutol?
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.
Can I take Tubutol during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Pregnancy Category C. This means that either animal studies have shown some risk to the developing baby (such as birth defects or fetal loss), but no well-controlled studies exist in pregnant women, or no adequate studies have been done in either women or animals. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
How should I store Tubutol?
Keep Ethambutol at a temperature between 20 to 25°C. Protect it from light, moisture and too much heat.
Can I take other medicines with Tubutol?
Some medicines can interact with Ethambutol, for example: Aluminium Hydroxide + Magnesium Hydroxide + Simethicone, Rifampicin + Isoniazid + Pyrazinamide + Ethambutol. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Do I need a prescription for Tubutol?
Tubutol is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.