Ethambutol

Ethambutol may cause some unwanted side effects. Generally, the common side effects tend to occur at the beginning of the treatment. Such side effects include :

• Stomach upset. If this occurs, take the medicine with food.
• Headache, fatigue, dizziness

Inform the doctor if any of the above side effects lasts for more than a few days or if they become serious or bothersome.

Rare but serious side effects may sometimes occur. Contact the doctor as soon as possible if any of the following are noticed:

• Visual changes, include red-green color blindness, sudden change in eyesight, eye pain or irritation.
• Burning, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet
• Skin rash
• Fever and chills

Inform the doctor if any other unusual symptoms were noticed.

​​Inform your doctor if you have kidney disorder or eye problem before starting the medication.

• Ethambutol comes in the form of tablets. It may be swallowed whole or made into a mixture with water before taking. Ethambutol may be taken with or without food.
• Follow the instructions on the label carefully and ask the pharmacist or doctor if unsure. Do not take aluminium-containing antacids within 2 hours of taking ethambutol.
• Do not stop taking this medicine unless instructed by the doctor. Stopping this medicine can worsen the infection or result in resistance.

• Take the dose as soon as it is remembered and then continue to take it as one normally would. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose that is missed and administer the next dose at the usual time.
• Do not double or increase the dose.

Keep away from children;#Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight;#

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you want to give any other medicines, supplements or herbal products to your child.

If another doctor is to be seen, he/she must be informed that ethambutol is being taken before he/she prescribes any other medication.