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Antimicrobials
Ethambutol

Ethambutol

None
N/A

Spectrum of Activity

General Spectrum of Activity
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General Information

Tuberculosis (Treatment and prophalaxis)

ODB Funded (tablet)

Precautions

  • Hepatic toxicity
  • Optic neuritis
  • Lexicomp
  • Monthly examination of visual acuity and color discrimination in patients receiving >15 mg/kg/day
  • Periodic renal, hepatic, and hematologic function tests
  • With or Without Food
  • Food decreases GI side effects

100mg and 400mg tablets

Tablets can be easily crushed and mixed with soft food or liquid.

No Major Interactions (Stockleys 2007)

Lexicomp (Peds and NeoNatal Lexi Drugs)

Vd: T1/2: (Adults) 2.5 to 3.6 hours; End-stage renal disease: 7 to 15 hours

  • Regular monthly ophthalmic exams recommended in patients receiving >15 mg/kg/day. Use with caution in children in whom visual acuity cannot be monitored (generally <5 years of age).
  • Ethambutol, 15 mg/kg/day is the preferred dosage as there is less risk of optic neuritis. At this dose, ethambutol is bacteriostatic, but will help prevent the development of resistance. It is bactericidal at a dose of 25 mg/kg/day.