Ethambutol inhibits synthesis of mycobacterial cell wall. Ethambutol is well absorbed from the gut. It accumulates in renal failure. Ethambutol crosses the blood-brain barrier only if the meninges are inflamed.
Ethambutol hydrochloride given as a single daily dose in combination with INH or rifampin for the treatment of tuberculosis. The higher dose is recommended for treatment of tuberculous meningitis.
The most common serious adverse event is retrobulbar neuritis causing loss of visual acuity and red-green color blindness is a dose-related side effect. Ethambutol is relatively contraindicated in children too young to permit assessment of visual acuity and red-green color discrimination.
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