Brand name: Myambutol
Drug class: Antituberculosis Agents
- Antimycobacterial Agents
VA class: AM500
CAS number: 1070-11-7

Introduction

Antituberculosis agent.^{103 106 a}

Uses for Ethambutol

Tuberculosis

Treatment of active (clinical) tuberculosis (TB) in conjunction with other antituberculosis agents.^{103 c d e}

First-line agent for treatment of pulmonary TB; used in the initial intensive treatment phase.¹⁰⁶

First-line agent for management of drug-resistant pulmonary TB.¹⁰⁶

For initial treatment of active TB caused by drug-susceptible M. tuberculosis, recommended multiple-drug regimens consist of an initial intensive phase (2 months) and a continuation phase (4 or 7 months).^{106 109} Although the usual duration of treatment for drug-susceptible pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB (except disseminated infections and TB meningitis) is 6–9 months,^{106 109} ATS, CDC, and IDSA state that completion of treatment is determined more accurately by the total number of doses and should not be based solely on the duration of therapy.¹⁰⁶ A longer duration of treatment (e.g., 12–24 months) usually is necessary for infections caused by drug-resistant M. tuberculosis.^{106 109}

Patients with treatment failure or drug-resistant M. tuberculosis, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB (resistant to both isoniazid and rifampin) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB (resistant to both isoniazid and rifampin and also resistant to a fluoroquinolone and at least one parenteral second-line antimycobacterial such as capreomycin, kanamycin, or amikacin), should be referred to or managed in consultation with experts in the treatment of TB as identified by local or state health departments or CDC.¹⁰⁶

Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) Infections

Treatment of M. avium complex (MAC) infections^{† [off-label]} in conjunction with other antimycobacterials, including infections in HIV-infected adults, adolescents, or children^{† [off-label]}.^{107 c d}

For initial treatment of nodular/bronchiectatic pulmonary disease caused by macrolide-susceptible MAC, ATS and IDSA recommend a 3-times weekly regimen of clarithromycin (or azithromycin), ethambutol, and rifampin in most patients.¹⁰⁷ For initial treatment of fibrocavitary or severe nodular/bronchiectatic pulmonary disease caused by macrolide-susceptible MAC, ATS and IDSA recommend a daily regimen of clarithromycin (or azithromycin), ethambutol, and rifampin (or rifabutin) and state that consideration can be given to adding amikacin or streptomycin during the first 2–3 months of treatment for extensive (especially fibrocavitary) disease or when previous therapy has failed.¹⁰⁷ Although a 2-drug regimen of clarithromycin (or azithromycin) and ethambutol may be adequate for treatment of nodular/bronchiectatic MAC disease in some patients, such regimens should not be used for fibrocavitary disease because of the risk of emergence of macrolide resistance.¹⁰⁷

For treatment of disseminated MAC disease, including in HIV-infected individuals, ATS, CDC, NIH, and IDSA recommend a regimen of clarithromycin (or azithromycin) and ethambutol with or without rifabutin.^{107 c d}

Treatment of MAC infections is complicated and should be directed by clinicians familiar with mycobacterial diseases; consultation with a specialist is particularly important when the patient cannot tolerate first-line drugs or when the infection has not responded to prior therapy or is caused by macrolide-resistant MAC.¹⁰⁷

Prevention of recurrence (secondary prophylaxis) of disseminated MAC infections^{† [off-label]} in HIV-infected adults, adolescents, and children^{† [off-label]}.^{108 c d} USPHS/IDSA, CDC, NIH, IDSA, and others recommend clarithromycin (or azithromycin) given with ethambutol (with or without rifabutin) for secondary prophylaxis after the initial infection has been treated.^{108 c}

Not used for primary prevention (primary prophylaxis) of disseminated MAC infection in HIV-infected individuals.¹⁰⁸ Drug of choice for primary prophylaxis is azithromycin or clarithromycin;^{107 108} rifabutin (with or without azithromycin) is an alternative.^{107 108}

Mycobacterium kansasii and Other Mycobacterial Infections

Treatment of M. kansasii^{† [off-label]} infections in conjunction with other antimycobacterials.^{107 g} ATS and IDSA recommend a regimen of isoniazid, rifampin, and ethambutol for treatment of pulmonary or disseminated infections caused by rifampin-susceptible M. kansasii.¹⁰⁷ If rifampin-resistant M. kansasii are involved, ATS and IDSA recommend a 3-drug regimen based on results of in vitro susceptibility, including clarithromycin (or azithromycin), moxifloxacin, ethambutol, sulfamethoxazole, or streptomycin.¹⁰⁷

Treatment of M. marinum^† infections in conjunction with other antimycobacterials (e.g., clarithromycin and/or rifampin).^{107 i j l} Optimum regimens not identified.^{107 i j l} Monotherapy (minocycline, clarithromycin, doxycycline, co-trimoxazole) may be effective for superficial cutaneous infections,^j but a multiple-drug regimen usually used for severe cutaneous infections or infections in immunocompromised individuals.^{i j}

Treatment of M. xenopi^† infections in conjunction with other antimycobacterials.¹⁰⁷ Optimum regimens not established; in vivo response may not correlate with in vitro susceptibility.¹⁰⁷ ATS and IDSA state that a regimen of clarithromycin, rifampin, and ethambutol generally has been used, although rate of relapse is high.¹⁰⁷ A regimen of isoniazid, rifampin (or rifabutin), ethambutol, and clarithromycin (with or without streptomycin during initial treatment) also has been suggested.¹⁰⁷

Related/similar drugs

ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, levofloxacin, Zithromax, rifampin, clarithromycin, Levaquin

Ethambutol Dosage and Administration

Administration

Oral Administration

Administer orally without regard to meals.^{103 e}

Dosage

Available as ethambutol hydrochloride; dosage expressed in terms of the salt.^{103 e}

Must be used in conjunction with other antimycobacterial agents for treatment of active (clinical) TB,^{103 108 e} treatment or prevention of MAC infections^†,^{107 108 c} or treatment of other mycobacterial infections^†.¹⁰⁷

Can be used in daily or intermittent (e.g., 2 or 3 times weekly) multiple-drug TB regimens.^{106 109 c d}

Pediatric Patients

Tuberculosis

Treatment of Active (Clinical) Tuberculosis in Children†

Oral

Children <15 years of age or weighing ≤40 kg^†: 15–25 mg/kg once daily recommended by ATS, CDC, IDSA, AAP, and others.^{106 109 d h} If an intermittent regimen is used, 50 mg/kg twice weekly.^{106 109 d h} ATS, CDC, and IDSA recommend that children receive a maximum of 1 g per dose;^{106 d} AAP and others recommend a maximum of 2.5 g per dose.^{109 h}

Treatment of Active (Clinical) Tuberculosis in Adolescents

Oral

Adolescents ≥15 years of age weighing 40–55 kg: 800 mg daily, 2 g twice weekly, or 1.2 g 3 times weekly recommended by ATS, CDC, and IDSA.¹⁰⁶

Adolescents ≥15 years of age weighing 56–75 kg: 1.2 g daily, 2.8 g twice weekly, or 2 g 3 times weekly recommended by ATS, CDC, and IDSA.¹⁰⁶

Adolescents ≥15 years of age weighing 76-90 kg: 1.6 g daily, 4 g twice weekly, or 2.4 g 3 times weekly recommended by ATS, CDC, and IDSA.¹⁰⁶

Adolescents: AAP and others recommend 15–25 mg/kg (up to 2.5 g) once daily or 50 mg/kg twice weekly (up to 2.5 g per dose).^{109 h}

Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) Infections†

Treatment of Disseminated MAC in HIV-infected Children†

Oral

15–25 mg/kg (up to 1 g) once daily.^{d h} Used in conjunction with clarithromycin (7.5–15 mg/kg [up to 500 mg] twice daily) or azithromycin (10–12 mg/kg [up to 500 mg] once daily) with or without rifabutin (10–20 mg/kg [up to 300 mg] once daily).^d

Treatment of Disseminated MAC in HIV-infected Adolescents†

Oral

15 mg/kg once daily in conjunction with either clarithromycin (500 mg twice daily) or azithromycin (500 mg once daily) with or without rifabutin (300 mg once daily).^{107 c}

Prevention of MAC Recurrence (Secondary Prophylaxis) in HIV-infected Children†

Oral

15 mg/kg (up to 900 mg) once daily.^{108 h} Used in conjunction with clarithromycin (7.5 mg/kg [up to 500 mg] twice daily) or azithromycin (5 mg/kg [up to 250 mg] once daily) with or without rifabutin (5 mg/kg [up to 300 mg] once daily).¹⁰⁸

Secondary prophylaxis to prevent MAC recurrence in HIV-infected children usually continued for life.¹⁰⁸ The safety of discontinuing secondary MAC prophylaxis in children whose CD4⁺ T-cell count increases in response to antiretroviral therapy has not been studied.¹⁰⁸

Prevention of MAC Recurrence (Secondary Prophylaxis) in HIV-infected Adolescents†

Oral

15 mg/kg (up to 900 mg) once daily.^{108 c h} Used in conjunction with either clarithromycin (500 mg twice daily) or azithromycin (500 mg once daily) with or without rifabutin (300 mg once daily).^{108 c}

Secondary prophylaxis to prevent MAC recurrence usually continued for life in HIV-infected adolescents.^{108 c}

Consideration can be given to discontinuing such prophylaxis after ≥12 months in those who remain asymptomatic with respect to MAC and have an increase in CD4⁺ T-cell count to >100/mm³ that has been sustained for ≥6 months.^{108 c} Reinitiate prophylaxis if CD4⁺ T-cell count decreases to <100/mm³.^{108 c}

Adults

Tuberculosis

Treatment of Active (Clinical) Tuberculosis

Oral

Manufacturers recommend 15 mg/kg once daily in previously untreated adults.^{103 e} In previously treated adults, manufacturers recommend 25 mg/kg once daily for 60 days, followed by 15 mg/kg once daily.^{103 e}

Adults weighing 40–55 kg: 800 mg once daily, 2 g twice weekly, or 1.2 g 3 times weekly recommended by ATS, CDC, and IDSA.^{106 c}

Adults weighing 56–75 kg: 1.2 g once daily, 2.8 g twice weekly, or 2 g 3 times weekly recommended by ATS, CDC, and IDSA.^{106 c}

Adults weighing 76-90 kg: 1.6 g once daily, 4 g twice weekly, or 2.4 g 3 times weekly recommended by ATS, CDC, and IDSA.^{106 c}

Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) Infections†

Initial Treatment of Pulmonary MAC Infections (Nodular/bronchiectatic Disease) Caused by Macrolide-susceptible Strains†

Oral

25 mg/kg 3 times weekly in conjunction with rifampin (600 mg 3 times weekly) and either clarithromycin (1 g 3 times weekly) or azithromycin (500 mg 3 times weekly) recommended by ATS and IDSA.¹⁰⁷ Continue until patient has been culture negative on treatment for 1 year.¹⁰⁷

Intermittent (3-times weekly) regimen is not recommended for those with cavitary or moderate or severe disease or those who have been previously treated.¹⁰⁷

Initial Treatment of Pulmonary MAC Infections (Fibrocavitary or Severe Nodular/bronchiectatic Disease) Caused by Macrolide-susceptible Strains†

Oral

15 mg/kg once daily in conjunction with either rifampin (10 mg/kg [up to 600 mg] once daily) or rifabutin (150–300 mg once daily) and either clarithromycin (0.5–1 g daily) or azithromycin (250 mg once daily) recommended by ATS and IDSA.¹⁰⁷ Continue until patient has been culture negative on treatment for 1 year.¹⁰⁷ Consideration can be given to including amikacin or streptomycin 3-times weekly during the first 2–3 months of treatment for extensive, especially fibrocavitary, disease or when previous therapy has failed.¹⁰⁷

Treatment of Disseminated MAC in HIV-infected and Other Adults†

Oral

15 mg/kg once daily in conjunction with either clarithromycin (500 mg twice daily) or azithromycin (500 mg once daily) with or without rifabutin (300 mg once daily) recommended by ATS, CDC, and IDSA.^{107 c}

Prevention of MAC Recurrence (Secondary Prophylaxis) in HIV-infected Adults†

Oral

15 mg/kg once daily.^{108 c} Used in conjunction with either clarithromycin (500 mg twice daily) or azithromycin (500 mg once daily) with or without rifabutin (300 mg once daily).^{108 c}

Secondary prophylaxis to prevent MAC recurrence usually continued for life in HIV-infected adults.¹⁰⁸

Consideration can be given to discontinuing such prophylaxis after ≥12 months in those who remain asymptomatic with respect to MAC and have an increase in CD4⁺ T-cell count to >100/mm³ that has been sustained for ≥6 months.^{108 c} Reinitiate prophylaxis if CD4⁺ T-cell count decreases to <100/mm³.^{108 c}

Mycobacterium kansasii and Other Mycobacterial Infections†

Treatment of Pulmonary or Disseminated Infections Caused by Rifampin-susceptible M. kansasii†

Oral

15 mg/kg once daily in conjunction with rifampin (10 mg/kg [up to 600 mg] daily), isoniazid (5 mg/kg [up to 300 mg] daily), and pyridoxine (50 mg daily) recommended by ATS and IDSA.¹⁰⁷

Continue until patient has been culture negative on treatment for 1 year.¹⁰⁷ A longer duration may be needed in HIV-infected individuals with disseminated infections.¹⁰⁷

Treatment of M. marinum Infections†

Oral

15–25 mg/kg daily in conjunction with rifampin (600 mg daily) and/or clarithromycin.^{107 i j l}

Optimal duration of treatment not known; continue for 3–6 months or until at least 1–2 months after resolution of symptoms.^{107 i j l}

Prescribing Limits

Pediatric Patients

Tuberculosis

Treatment of Active (Clinical) Tuberculosis in Children†

Oral

Maximum 1 g per dose recommended by ATS, CDC, and IDSA for once-daily or twice-weekly regimens;^{106 d} maximum 2.5 g per dose recommended by AAP and others for once-daily or twice-weekly regimens.^{109 h}

Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) Infections in Children†

Oral

Maximum 1 g once daily for treatment of disseminated MAC infections.^d Maximum 900 mg once daily for prevention of MAC recurrence (secondary prophylaxis).¹⁰⁸

Special Populations

Renal Impairment

Reduce dosage based on degree of renal impairment and serum concentrations of the drug.^{103 106 c e h}

Some experts recommend 15 mg/kg once every 24–36 hours in adults with Cl_cr 10–50 mL/minute, 15 mg/kg once every 48 hours in those with Cl_cr <10 mL/minute, and 15 mg/kg 3 times weekly (after hemodialysis) in those undergoing hemodialysis.^c Others recommend 15–20 mg/kg 3 times weekly (after dialysis) in adults with end-state renal disease (Cl_cr <30 mL/minute, on hemodialysis).¹⁰⁶

In children with renal impairment, some experts recommend that the usual dose be given once every 24 hours in those with Cl_cr >50 mL/minute or once every 24–36 hours in those with Cl_cr 10–50 mL/minute.^h In children with Cl_cr <10 mL/minute, these experts recommend that a decreased dose be given once every 48 hours.^h Supplemental doses are recommended after hemodialysis.^h

Cautions for Ethambutol

Contraindications

• Known hypersensitivity to ethambutol or any ingredient in the formulation.^{103 e}

• Optic neuritis, unless clinical judgment deems it necessary to use the drug.^{103 e}

• Patients unable to appreciate and report visual adverse effects or changes in vision (e.g., young children, unconscious patients).¹⁰³ (See Pediatric Use under Cautions.)

Warnings/Precautions

Warnings

Ocular Effects

Decreased visual acuity, constriction of visual fields, central and peripheral scotomas, and loss of red-green color discrimination reported.^{103 106 a e} May be due to optic neuritis, but has occurred in the absence of a diagnosis of optic or retrobulbar neuritis.^{103 e} May be related to dose and duration of treatment.^{103 106 e}

Perform ophthalmic evaluation (ophthalmoscopy, finger perimetry, test for color discrimination) at baseline and periodically during treatment.^{103 106 e} Test each eye separately and together since change in visual acuity may be unilateral or bilateral.^{103 e} Evaluate monthly in patients receiving >15 mg/kg daily, in those receiving the drug for >2 months, and in those with renal impairment.^{103 106 e}

Use with caution in patients with ocular defects (e.g., cataracts, recurrent ocular inflammatory conditions, optic neuritis, diabetic retinopathy) that make visual changes difficult to detect or evaluate; weigh benefits versus possible visual deterioration in these patients.^{103 e}

Discontinue if substantial changes in visual acuity occur.^{103 e} Changes in visual acuity usually reversible (over several weeks or months), but irreversible blindness has been reported.^{103 e}

Hepatic Effects

Liver toxicities, including fatalities, have been reported.¹⁰³

Perform baseline and periodic assessment of hepatic function.^{103 e}

Sensitivity Reactions

Anaphylactoid reactions, dermatitis, pruritus reported.¹⁰³

General Precautions

Precautions Related to Treatment of Tuberculosis

Should not be used alone for the treatment of active TB; must be given in conjunction with other antituberculosis agents.¹⁰⁶

Clinical specimens for microscopic examination and mycobacterial cultures and in vitro susceptibility testing should be obtained prior to initiation of antituberculosis therapy and periodically during treatment to monitor therapeutic response.¹⁰⁶ The antituberculosis regimen should be modified as needed.¹⁰⁶ Patients with positive cultures after 4 months of treatment should be considered to have failed treatment (usually as the result of noncompliance or drug-resistant TB).¹⁰⁶

Compliance with the full course of antituberculosis therapy and all drugs included in the multiple-drug regimen is critical.¹⁰⁶ Missed doses increase the risk of treatment failure and increase the risk that M. tuberculosis will develop resistance to the antituberculosis regimen.¹⁰⁶

To ensure compliance, ATS, CDC, IDSA, and AAP recommend that directly observed (supervised) therapy (DOT) be used for treatment of active (clinical) TB whenever possible, especially when intermittent regimens are used, when the patient is immunocompromised or infected with HIV, or when drug-resistant M. tuberculosis is involved.^{106 109 c d}

Laboratory Monitoring

Assess organ system function (e.g., renal, hepatic, hematopoietic) at baseline and periodically during treatment.^{103 e}

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category C.¹⁰³

Ophthalmic abnormalities have been reported in infants born to women who received antituberculosis regimens that included ethambutol during pregnancy.¹⁰³

The ATS, CDC, IDSA, AAP and others consider ethambutol safe for use in pregnant women;^{106 108 109} AAP states potential benefits outweigh the risks to the infant.¹⁰⁹

Lactation

Distributed into milk; use only if possible benefits outweigh potential risks.¹⁰³

AAP considers ethambutol compatible with breast-feeding.^b

Pediatric Use

Safety not established in children <13 years of age; manufacturers do not recommend use in this age group.^{103 e} Has been used in pediatric patients without unusual adverse effects.^d

ATS, CDC, IDSA, and AAP state that ethambutol can be used safety in older children, but should be used with caution in children in whom it may be difficult to monitor visual acuity (e.g., <5 years of age).^{106 109} If used in pediatric patients, perform ophthalmic evaluations once monthly during treatment.^d

Geriatric Use

No substantial differences in safety and efficacy relative to younger adults, but increased sensitivity in this age group cannot be ruled out.¹⁰³

Hepatic Impairment

ATS, CDC, and IDSA state that ethambutol can be used safely in patients with hepatic disease.¹⁰⁶

Renal Impairment

Use with caution; dosage reduction based on serum concentrations is advised.^{103 e} Closely monitor visual acuity and color discrimination (i.e., monthly).^{103 106} (See Renal Impairment under Dosage and Administration.)

Common Adverse Effects

Ophthalmic effects (decreased visual acuity, scotoma, color blindness, visual defect), joint pain, GI effects (anorexia, nausea, vomiting, GI upset, abdominal pain), fever, malaise, headache, dizziness, mental confusion.^{103 e}

Drug Interactions

Specific Drugs

Ethambutol Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

75–80% of an oral dose is absorbed from the GI tract;^a peak plasma concentrations achieved within 2–4 hours.^{103 e}

Food

Food does not appear to affect absorption.^{103 e}

Special Populations

Serum concentrations are higher in patients with renal impairment.^a

Distribution

Extent

Widely distributed into most body tissues and fluids.^a Highest concentrations are found in erythrocytes, kidneys, lungs, and saliva; lower drug concentrations are found in ascitic fluid, pleural fluid, brain, and CSF.^a

Crosses the placenta and is distributed into cord blood and amniotic fluid.¹⁰⁰

Distributed into milk.¹⁰³

Plasma Protein Binding

8–22%.^a

Elimination

Metabolism

Undergoes oxidation in the liver to an aldehyde intermediate which is converted to a dicarboxylic acid derivative.^{103 e}

Elimination Route

Excreted in urine as unchanged drug (50%) and metabolites (8–15%) and in feces as unchanged drug (20–22%).^{103 e}

Removed by peritoneal dialysis and to a lesser extent by hemodialysis.^a

Half-life

3.3 hours.^a

Special Populations

Half-life prolonged in patients with impaired renal or hepatic function.^a Half-life may be ≥7 hours in patients with renal failure.^a

Stability

Storage

Oral

Tablets

15–30°C^e or 20–25°C¹⁰³ , depending on the manufacturer. Protect from light and moisture.^e

Actions and Spectrum

• Bacteriostatic in action.^a

• Appears to inhibit the synthesis of one or more metabolites in susceptible bacteria resulting in impairment of cellular metabolism, arrest of multiplication, and cell death.^{103 e}

• A highly specific agent; active only against Mycobacterium.^{103 a} Active against M. tuberculosis,^a M. avium complex (MAC),^a M. bovis,^a M. kansasii,^{107 a g} and some strains of M. fortuitum.^a Although M. marinum may be susceptible,^{107 a} resistance has been reported.^k Active in vitro against M. gordonae,¹⁰⁷ M. malmoense,¹⁰⁷ and M. smegmatis.¹⁰⁷ Has limited activity against M. genavense.¹⁰⁷ M. haemophilum¹⁰⁷ and some strains of M. xenopi are resistant.¹⁰⁷

• Natural and acquired resistance to ethambutol demonstrated in vitro and in vivo in strains of M. tuberculosis.^{103 a}

• No evidence of cross-resistance with other currently available antimycobacterials.^{103 e}

Advice to Patients

• Advise patients that poor compliance with antituberculosis regimens can result in treatment failure and development of drug-resistant TB, which can be life-threatening and lead to other serious health risks.¹⁰⁶

• Importance of completing full course of therapy; importance of not missing any doses.¹⁰³

• Importance of promptly informing clinicians of any change in visual acuity.^{103 e}

• Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs, as well as any concomitant illnesses.¹⁰³

• Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.¹⁰³

• Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information.¹⁰³ (See Cautions.)

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

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