Ethambutol
Why this is used
Ethambutol eliminates certain bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB). It is used with other medicines to treat tuberculosis and to prevent you from giving the infection to others. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How to take it
Ethambutol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day in the morning. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ethambutol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Side effects
<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Ethambutol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
<ul>
<li>
loss of appetite</li>
<li>
upset stomach</li>
<li>
vomiting</li>
<li>
numbness and tingling in the hands or feet</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
<ul>
<li>
blurred vision</li>
<li>
inability to see the colors red and green</li>
<li>
sudden changes in vision</li>
<li>
skin rash</li>
<li>
itching</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>
<ul>
<li>
loss of appetite</li>
<li>
upset stomach</li>
<li>
vomiting</li>
<li>
numbness and tingling in the hands or feet</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
<ul>
<li>
blurred vision</li>
<li>
inability to see the colors red and green</li>
<li>
sudden changes in vision</li>
<li>
skin rash</li>
<li>
itching</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>
Precautions
Before taking ethambutol, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ethambutol or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antacids and vitamins. Antacids interfere with ethambutol, making it less effective. Take ethambutol 1 hour before or 2 hours after antacids. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease, gout, or eye disorders such as cataracts.
Overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Educational reference only — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber about Ethambutol.