Ethambutol

What is ethambutol?

Ethambutol is a medicine used to treat an infection called tuberculosis or TB.

You may also hear this medication called by its brand names, Etibi or Myambutol. Ethambutol comes in a tablet form.

Before giving ethambutol to your child

Tell your child's doctor if your child has reacted badly to ethambutol or any other medication in the past.

Talk with your child's doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has:

• eye or vision problems
• kidney problems

How should you give your child ethambutol?

Give your child this medicine:

• For as long as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, even if your child seems better. Talk to your child's doctor before you stop giving ethambutol for any reason.
• Your child may need to take ethambutol for as long as 6 months to 2 years.
• At the same times every day, exactly as your child's doctor or pharmacist tells you. Pick a time that is easy for you so that you do not miss doses.
• With food to prevent stomach upset.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of ethambutol?

• Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Give the next dose at the regular time.
• Do not give your child 2 doses to make up for 1 missed dose.

How long does ethambutol take to work?

• It may take 1 month to see the full effect.

What are the possible side effects of ethambutol?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take ethambutol. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects and they do not go away, or they bother your child:

• dizziness
• itching or a skin rash
• loss of appetite
• stomach pain
• upset stomach
• vomiting (throwing up)

Call your child's doctor during office hours if your child has any of these side effects:

• muscle or joint pain
• blurry vision or trouble seeing green and red colors

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these side effects:

• confusion
• tingling or pain in the fingers or toes that does not go away
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• dark urine
• yellow skin or eyes

What safety measures should you take when your child is using ethambutol?

There are some medicines that should not be taken together with ethambutol. It is important that you tell your doctor and pharmacist if your child takes any other medications, including prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, or natural products.

Keep all appointments at the clinic or doctor's office so that the doctor can check your child's reaction to ethambutol.

Your child may need to have regular eye tests and blood tests while they are taking ethambutol.

What other important information should you know about ethambutol?

• Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Keep ethambutol at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do NOT store it in the bathroom or kitchen.
  

Keep ethambutol out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much ethambutol, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.