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.

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.

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.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take ethambutol in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Tell your doctor if you have ever used tuberculosis medicine before. Your dose may be different if you have been treated for tuberculosis in the past.

You may take ethambutol with or without food.

Ethambutol may be taken with food if it upsets your stomach.

Tell your doctor if you have any changes in weight. Ethambutol doses are based on weight and your dose may also need to be changed.

Your vision will need to be checked often while you are taking ethambutol. If you wear glasses, take them with you to your vision examination.

Your blood cells, kidney function, and liver function may also need to be checked.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Ethambutol will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Tuberculosis is sometimes treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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;

• eye problems caused by diabetes;

• cataracts;

• liver disease;

• kidney disease; or

• gout.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether ethambutol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

Ethambutol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Ethambutol should not be given to a child younger than 13 years old.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Ethambutol may cause upset stomach. Take ethambutol with food.

Avoid taking an antacid containing aluminum hydroxide (Alternagel, Maalox, Mi-Acid, Mylanta, Rulox) within 4 hours after you take ethambutol. Some antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb ethambutol.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Ethambutol can cause serious vision problems, including vision loss that may be permanent. Stop using ethambutol and call your doctor at once if you have any problems with one or both of your eyes, such as:

• blurred vision or trouble focusing;

• loss of vision in one eye that lasts an hour or longer;

• increased sensitivity of your eyes to light;

• loss of color vision; or

• pain with eye movement, pain behind your eyes.

Ethambutol may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• new or worsening cough with fever, trouble breathing;

• numbness of tingling in your hands or feet;

• confusion, hallucinations;

• fever, swollen glands, painful mouth sores, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, general ill feeling;

• easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);

• chest pain or shortness of breath with mild exertion;

• little or no urinating;

• liver problems--upper stomach pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects of ethambutol may include:

• itching or rash;

• joint pain;

• headache, dizziness; or

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, indigestion, loss of appetite.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Other drugs may interact with ethambutol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will want to check your response to ethambutol. Blood, kidney, and liver tests may be done also. While you are taking ethambutol, your doctor will want to examine your eyes at least every 3-6 months.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.