ethambutol

What is the most important information I should know about ethambutol?

What is ethambutol?

Ethambutol is an antibiotic that prevents growth of the tuberculous bacteria in the body.

Ethambutol is used to treat tuberculosis (TB), and is usually given together with at least one other tuberculosis medicine.

Ethambutol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ethambutol?

Ethambutol can cause vision problems that may be a sign that you should stop taking the medicine. You may not be able to take ethambutol if you cannot recognize or report any changes in your vision. Young children or debilitated patients may not be able to tell someone about vision problems.

To make sure ethambutol is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• inflammatory eye disorders such as uveitis or iritis;
• eye problems caused by diabetes;
• cataracts;
• liver disease;
• kidney disease; or
• gout.

How should I take ethambutol?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Tell your doctor if you have ever used tuberculosis medicine before. Your dose may be different if you have been treated for tuberculosis in the past.

You may take ethambutol with or without food.

Tell your doctor if you have any changes in weight. Ethambutol doses are based on weight and your dose may also need to be changed.

Your vision will need to be checked often while you are taking ethambutol. If you wear glasses, take them with you to your vision examination.

Your blood cells, kidney function, and liver function may also need to be checked.

Tuberculosis is sometimes treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking ethambutol?

Avoid taking an antacid containing aluminum hydroxide (Alternagel, Maalox, Mi-Acid, Mylanta, Rulox) within 4 hours after you take ethambutol. Some antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb ethambutol.

What are the possible side effects of ethambutol?

• blurred vision or trouble focusing;
• loss of vision in one eye that lasts an hour or longer;
• increased sensitivity of your eyes to light;
• loss of color vision; or
• pain with eye movement, pain behind your eyes.

• new or worsening cough with fever, trouble breathing;
• numbness of tingling in your hands or feet;
• confusion, hallucinations;
• fever, swollen glands, painful mouth sores, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, general ill feeling;
• easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);
• chest pain or shortness of breath with mild exertion;
• little or no urinating;
• liver problems --upper stomach pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• severe skin reaction --fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects may include:

• itching or rash;
• joint pain;
• headache, dizziness; or
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, indigestion, loss of appetite.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect ethambutol?

Other drugs may interact with ethambutol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about ethambutol.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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