Ethambutol
Information about Ethambutol
Ethambutol uses
Ethambutol is used in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB).
How ethambutol works
Ethambutol is an antibiotic. It works by slowing the growth of bacteria that causes tuberculosis.
Common side effects of ethambutol
Visual impairment, Color blindness
Available Medicine for Ethambutol
Expert advice for Ethambutol
Do consult your doctor before taking ethambutol if you have any eye problems such as cataracts (disturbed vision due to clouding of eye lenses) , recurrent inflammatory conditions of the eye, optic neuritis (inflammation of nerve fibers that transmit visual information from your eye to the brain), and diabetic retinopathy (a complication of eye due to diabetes). Ethambutol can cause serious eye damage. Regular eye checkups are recommended while on treatment with ethambutol.
Do consult your doctor before taking ethambutol:
- If you have kidney problems.
- If you have liver problems.
- If you have gout (pain, swelling, redness and stiffness in joints due to accumulation of uric acid).
Ethambutol is not recommended for use in children aged below 3 years.
Do consult your doctor before taking ethambutol if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Do consult your doctor before taking ethambutol if you are breastfeeding.
Do not stop taking ethambutol without consulting your doctor. If you forget to take a dose of ethambutol, take it as soon as you remember. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose.
Frequently asked questions for Ethambutol
Ethambutol
Q. Does Ethambutol cause blindness?
Optic neuritis (inflammation of nerve fibers that transmit visual information from your eye to the brain) is one of the side effects of Ethambutol which causes several forms of eye defect. Although these conditions are reversible upon discontinuation of the drug, rare cases of irreversible blindness have also been reported. Please contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms: decreased clearness of vision, loss of vision, disturbed vision due to blind spots, color blindness, visual field defect and eye pain
Q. Does Ethambutol induce hyperuricemia/how does Ethambutol induce hyperuricemia?
Yes. Increase in blood levels of uric acid is a side effect of Ethambutol. It increases the retention of uric acid in the body by decreasing the excretion of urates (uric acid) by the kidneys
Q. How does Ethambutol work in the body?
Ethambutol is an antibiotic effective against tuberculosis causing bacteria. It suppresses the growth of the bacteria by interfering with the formation of the outer protective covering (cell wall) of the bacteria, thereby weakening the bacteria