Ethambutol

Ethambutol

File:Ethambutol.svg
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(2S,2′S)-2,2′-(ethane-1,2-diyldiimino)dibutan-1-ol
Clinical data
Pregnancy category	B
Routes of administration	Oral
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	Well-absorbed from GI tract
Protein binding	20 to 30%
Metabolism	Liver
Biological half-life	3-4 hr (increased in impaired renal function)
Excretion	Renal
Identifiers
CAS Number	74-55-5
ATC code	J04AK02 (WHO)
PubChem	CID 3279
DrugBank	APRD00957
Chemical data
Formula	C10H24N2O2
Molar mass	204.31 g/mol[[]]
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Ethambutol (commonly abbreviated EMB or simply E) is a bacteriostatic antimycobacterial drug prescribed to treat tuberculosis. It is usually given in combination with other tuberculosis drugs, such as isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide.

It is sold under the trade names Myambutol and Servambutol.

Adverse effects

• Optic neuritis. Hence contraindicated in children below 6 yrs of age.
• Red-green color blindness
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Arthralgia
• Hyperuricaemia
• vertical nystagmus
• milk skin reaction

Mechanism of action

Ethambutol is 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. It disrupts arabinogalactan synthesis by inhibiting the enzyme arabinosyl transferase. 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 excreted unchanged in urine.

External links

• Medline Plus drug information
• Prescribing Information for MYAMBUTOL

ru:Этамбутол