When the doctor told you that you have tuberculosis, you probably felt a little scared and worried. You also have a lot of questions about the medications that are given for it. That's normal. Today we are talking about Ethambutol, a very important drug used in the treatment of tuberculosis. We will talk about everything you need to know about using this drug in a very simple and friendly way.
What is Ethambutol?
Simply put, Ethambutol is a medicine used to treat tuberculosis (TB). The most important thing about this medicine is that it is never used alone . To treat tuberculosis, you need to attack the germ from multiple angles. Therefore, Ethambutol is always given to you together with one or more other medicines used to treat tuberculosis. You may have come across this medicine under the brand name Myambutol.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
It is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Only then can he or she be able to provide you with the most appropriate and safest treatment. Be sure to tell them about the following in particular:
- Eye problems: If you have any eye disease or vision impairment (e.g. cataracts, glaucoma), be sure to tell us about it.
- Kidney disease: If there is any weakness in the kidneys.
- Liver disease: If you have any liver disease.
- Allergies: If you have an allergic reaction to Ethambutol or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant soon.
- Breastfeeding: If you are a breastfeeding mother.
By giving this information to your doctor, he can treat you without risking any potential complications.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medication, it is essential to use it as directed.
- Swallow this pill with a glass of water .
- Take the dose prescribed by the doctor at the right time.
- This medicine can be taken before or after meals . It won't cause any problems.
- The most important thing is to take the medicine at about the same time every day, without missing a day .
- Very important: Even if you feel a little better, do not stop taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to finish the full course of treatment. If you stop taking it halfway, the TB germs can become resistant to this medicine and other medicines. If this happens, the disease will be much harder to cure and the treatment time may be longer.
Is this medicine given to children?
This medicine is also given to young children over the age of 13 in some special cases. However, only a doctor can decide on this. Therefore, if this is given to children, it is very important to follow the doctor's instructions exactly.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose of this medicine, don't panic and take action immediately.
Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose of medicine?
That's possible. Don't worry. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it's very close to your next dose (e.g., just a few hours away), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Things to be careful about while taking the medicine
It's good to pay a little more attention to your body during this time.
- Medical check-ups: Go to the clinic on the days your doctor has prescribed. It is very important to see if your condition is improving.
- Vision changes: This is the most important thing to watch out for when taking Ethambutol. If you notice any changes in your vision (e.g. blurred vision, difficulty distinguishing colors, especially red and green), do not ignore it. Tell your doctor right away.
- Aluminum-containing foods: Do not take aluminum-containing antacids (liquids/tablets used for gastritis) or vitamins within 4 hours of taking Ethambutol tablets, as they can reduce the absorption of this medicine into the body.
Possible side effects
Like any medicine, Ethambutol can cause side effects in some people. Most of these are minor, but some should be reported immediately.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips/tongue/face. |
| Vision changes | Blurred vision, difficulty recognizing colors. |
| Confusion | Loss of consciousness, forgetting where you are. |
| Fever and signs of infection | Fever, chills, sore throat. |
| Joint pain | Joint swelling, severe pain. |
| Numbness in the limbs | Numbness or pain in the hands and feet. |
| If it persists or is bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Digestive system problems | Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain. |
| Other minor features | Dizziness , headache. |
How should you store your medicine?
- Keep it in a safe place out of the reach of children .
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 C) , away from direct sunlight, excessive heat, and moisture.
- Do not use expired medicine and dispose of it properly.
Tuberculosis treatment is like a journey. To have a successful journey, it is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly and to pay attention to your body. If you have any problems, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about them.
Take-Home Message
- Ethambutol is a medicine used to treat tuberculosis. It is always used in combination with other tuberculosis medicines.
- Even if you feel a little better, do not stop taking your medicine until your doctor tells you to. Do not skip a single meal.
- If you experience any changes in your vision (blurring, difficulty seeing colors), tell your doctor immediately. This is the most important thing.
- Before starting the medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and allergies.
- Avoid taking aluminum-containing gastritis medications (antacids), such as those close to the time of taking Ethambutol (within 4 hours).
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