Generic name: ethambutol [ eth-AM-bue-tol ]
Brand name: Myambutol
Dosage form: oral tablet (100 mg; 400 mg)
Drug class:Miscellaneous antituberculosis agents
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.
Warnings
Ethambutol can cause serious vision problems or irreversible vision loss. You may not be able to take ethambutol if you have an eye problem or vision disorder.
Before taking this medicine
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 if you have an eye disorder.
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
