About ethambutol
Antimycobacterial antibiotic
Used for
- Treats tuberculosis, always with other tuberculosis medicines.
Usual adult dose
Usually 15–20 mg/kg by mouth once daily; intravenous dosing is specialist-directed.
Usual dose in children
Usually 15–25 mg/kg by mouth once daily, with other tuberculosis medicines.
Common side effects
- Blurred vision or reduced sharpness
- Difficulty distinguishing red and green
- Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
- Rash or joint pain
Important warnings
- Can damage the optic nerve and impair vision; risk increases with dose and duration.
- Vision changes require prompt medical assessment; monitoring is important during treatment.
- Use cautiously with kidney problems; dose adjustment may be needed.
- Never use alone to treat active tuberculosis.
Pregnancy
May be used for tuberculosis during pregnancy when clinically indicated; treatment decisions require specialist guidance.
Breastfeeding
Small amounts enter breast milk; treatment is generally compatible when needed, with clinical monitoring.
Interactions
- Aluminum-containing antacids can reduce absorption of oral ethambutol; separate administration.
- Other tuberculosis medicines are routinely combined with ethambutol under supervised treatment.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.