Medication Uses | Other Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions
| Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage
USES: Ethambutol is used to treat tuberculosis, often in combination
with other medications. Tuberculosis is a very serious infection and
requires a combination of antibiotics to cure the infection.
OTHER USES:
This medication may also be used to treat an infection known
as "MAC" (Mycobacterium avium complex).
HOW TO USE without prescriptions:
This works best when taken with food or milk to prevent
stomach upset. Take as directed. Do not stop taking this medication
without your doctor's approval. Stopping therapy too early may result
in ineffective
treatment. Treatment usually lasts for several months.
SIDE EFFECTS:
May cause stomach upset, dizziness, fatigue, or headache.
These effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
If they persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Notify your
doctor immediately if you develop: skin rash, numbness or tingling of
the hands
or feet. Infrequently, eye problems can occur (optic neuritis). Tell
your doctor immediately if you have any vision changes, sudden color
blindness, or blurred vision. Very rarely, permanent blindness has
occurred. Rare (possibly fatal) liver disease may occur. Tell your doctor
immediately
if you have persistent, severe nausea, vomiting, dark urine, stomach/abdominal
pain, yellowing eyes/skin. If you notice other effects not listed above,
contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS:
Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: gout,
kidney disease, vision problems such as cataracts. This medication
should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. There have
been reports
of eye problems in infants born to mothers using ethambutol. Discuss
the risks and benefits with your doctor. Ethambutol passes into breast
milk. Though, to date, no problems have been noted in nursing infants,
consult your doctor before you breast-feed.
