Here’s the detailed profile for Ethambutol Tablet 600 mg 👇
💊 Ethambutol Tablet 600 mg
📘 Description:
- Ethambutol is a first-line antimycobacterial drug used in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB).
- Mechanism: Inhibits arabinoglycan synthesis in the mycobacterial cell wall → interferes with cell wall formation.
- Always administered in combination therapy to prevent resistance.
📄 Prescription / Indications:
- Pulmonary TB (new and retreatment cases).
- Extrapulmonary TB (meningitis, lymph nodes, bones, etc.).
- Used during both intensive and continuation phases of TB therapy.
🌿 Nature / Drug Class:
- Antimycobacterial drug
- Cell wall synthesis inhibitor
✅ Advantages:
- Effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Key component of WHO-recommended TB regimens.
- Helps prevent emergence of resistance to other drugs like rifampicin and isoniazid.
⚠️ Precautions:
Contraindications:
- Hypersensitivity to Ethambutol.
Use with caution in:
- Optic neuritis / pre-existing vision problems – may worsen.
- Renal impairment – requires dose adjustment.
- Children under 5 years – vision monitoring is difficult.
Possible Adverse Effects:
- Optic neuritis (dose related) → decreased vision, red-green color blindness.
- GI upset, skin rash, headache.
- Rare: Peripheral neuropathy, joint pains.
💊 Dosage (Adults):
- 15–25 mg/kg body weight per day (single daily dose).
- For a 60–70 kg adult, 600 mg tablet is often part of the regimen (may be combined with 400 mg or 800 mg tablets to adjust dose).
- Always given as part of multidrug therapy (with rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide).
📦 Common Packaging:
- Strip or blister packs of 600 mg tablets.
- Available as single drug tablets and also in Fixed-Dose Combinations (FDCs) with rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide.
❄️ Storage:
- Store below 25°C, in a cool and dry place.
- Protect from light and moisture.