Ethambutol = E oral

Therapeutic action

First-line antituberculosis antibacterial (bacteriostatic activity).

Indications

Tuberculosis, in combination with other antituberculosis antibacterials.

Forms and strengths

• 100 mg and 400 mg tablets.
• 50 mg and 100 mg dispersible tablets.

Dose

• Child and adult: 15 to 25 mg/kg once daily.
• Do not exceed 1200 mg daily.
• Patient with renal impairment: 15 to 25 mg/kg 3 times weekly.

Duration

According to protocol.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer to patients with severe renal impairment or pre-existing optic neuritis such as diabetic retinopathy.
• May cause dose-related retrobulbar optic neuritis, worsened by renal impairment.
• Patients should immediately stop treatment and seek medical attention in the event of visual disturbances such as blurred vision, reduced visual acuity, or green-red colour blindness.
• Visual alterations are usually reversible a few weeks after stopping ethambutol.
• Dosage must be carefully adjusted to body weight, especially for children under 5 years because visual alterations are harder to detect.
• Pregnancy: no contra-indication.
• Breast-feeding: no contra-indication.