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Ethambutol


Ethambutol
Systematic (IUPAC) name
2-[2-(1-hydroxybutan-2-ylamino)ethylamino]butan-1-ol
Identifiers
CAS number	74-55-5
ATC code	J04AK02
PubChem	3279
DrugBank	APRD00957
Chemical data
Formula	C₁₀H₂₄N₂O₂
Mol. mass	204.31 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	Well-absorbed from GI tract
Protein binding	20 to 30%
Metabolism	Liver
Half life	3-4 hr (increased in impaired renal function)
Excretion	Renal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	B
Legal status
Routes	oral

Ethambutol is a bacteriostatic antimycobacterial drug prescribed to treat tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). It is usually given in combination with other tuberculosis drugs, such as isoniazid, pyrazinamide and rifampicin.

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It is sold under the name "Myambutol".

Bacteriostatic against actively growing TB bacilli, it works by obstructing the formation of cell wall. Mycolic acids attach to the 5'-hydroxyl groups of D-arabinose residues of arabinogalactan and form mycolyl-arabinogalactan-peptidoglycan complex in the cell wall. Disruption of the arabinogalactan synthesis inhibits the formation of this complex and leads to increased permeability of the cell wall.

Pharmacokinetics

It is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and well distributed in body tissues and fluids, 50% is execreted unchanged in urine.

Side Effects

Optic neuritis
Red-green color blindness
Peripheral neuropathy
Arthralgia

v • d • e Antimycobacterials (J04)
Tuberculosis/ tuberculosis treatment	Aminosalicylic acid (Calcium aminosalicylate, Sodium aminosalicylate) • Antibiotics (Amikacin, Capreomycin, Cycloserine, Kanamycin, Rifabutin, Rifampicin, Rifamycin, Rifapentin, Streptomycin) • hydrazides (Isoniazid) • thiocarbamides (Ethionamide, Protionamide, Tiocarlide) • Others (Ethambutol, Morinamide, Pyrazinamide, Terizidone)
Leprosy	Aldesulfone sodium • Clofazimine • Dapsone • Rifampicin