Ethambutol

Ethambutol is an antibiotic that stops the growth of the bacteria that cause tuberculosis in the body.

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

Ethambutol may also be used for other reasons that are not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time to ensure you get the best results. Do not take ethambutol in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than what is 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.

Ethambutol may be taken with food if it makes you feel sick to your stomach.

Tell your doctor if you notice any changes in your weight. Ethambutol doses are based on weight, and your dose may need to be adjusted.

Your vision will need to be checked regularly while you are taking ethambutol. If you wear glasses, be sure to bring them to your vision check.

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

Use this medicine for the full length of time your doctor has prescribed. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely gone. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of developing an infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Ethambutol will not treat a viral infection like the flu or a common cold.

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

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Ethambutol can lead to serious vision issues or permanent vision loss. You should not take ethambutol if you have an eye problem or vision disorder.

You should not use ethambutol if you are allergic to it. You may not be able to take ethambutol if you have an eye condition called optic neuritis (inflammation of nerve fibers behind your eyes). Your doctor will decide if this treatment is right for you if you have an eye disorder.

Ethambutol can cause vision problems that may mean 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 patients with health issues 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.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether ethambutol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

Ethambutol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Ethambutol should not be given to a child younger than 13 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Ethambutol can cause serious vision problems, including permanent vision loss. Stop using ethambutol and call your doctor right away if you have any issues with one or both of your eyes, such as:

• 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.

Ethambutol may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• a new or worsening cough with fever, difficulty breathing;
• numbness or 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 of ethambutol 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.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Do not take an antacid that contains 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.

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