ETHAMBUTOL is used to treat tuberculosis (TB), an infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body like the brain, spine. It destroys the growth of infection-causing bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis and helps in reducing the infection. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is the completion of the entire course of treatment. So not stop using it without speaking and informing your doctor, as doing so may cause the infection to return or worsen. Adhere to your doctor’s instructions carefully to get maximum benefit.
Follow the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Take this ETHAMBUTOL with or without food, preferably at the same time every day. Finish the full course of treatment and do not skip any doses even if you start feeling good. Discontinuing its use on your own, can result in treatment failure and in the development of drug-resistant tuberculosis which can lead to serious health complications. If you miss a dose, take it at the earliest. However, do not take double dose or overdose to fulfil missed dose as it may increase the side effects. Some people may experience changes in vision and colour blindness, as side effects of this medicine. Please speak with your doctor if these side effects do not resolve or worsen. It is advised to take antacids containing aluminium, at least 4 hours before or after taking ETHAMBUTOL to avoid drug interaction.
Inform your doctor if you have pre-existing conditions like diabetes as it can decrease the sugar levels in the blood. Diabetic patients should monitor blood sugar levels regularly. Proper functioning of eyes, liver and thyroid should be closely monitored while taking treatment with ETHAMBUTOL. So, before using ETHAMBUTOL, tell your doctor if you have eye problems (like diabetic retinopathy, optic neuritis, cataracts), liver disease, or kidney disease.
