What kind of drug is ethambutol?
Among the recent hot topics on the Internet, content in the medical and health field continues to receive widespread attention, especially discussions on drug classification and uses. As an important anti-tuberculosis drug, ethambutol’s pharmacological effects and clinical applications have become the focus of many netizens’ searches. This article will provide a detailed analysis of the drug classification, pharmacological effects, indications and side effects of ethambutol, and attach structured data so that readers can quickly obtain key information.
1. Drug classification of ethambutol

Ethambutol is a synthetic anti-tuberculosis drug that belongs to thefirst-line antituberculosis drugs, usually used in combination with isoniazid, rifampin and other drugs to treat tuberculosis. Based on its chemical structure and mechanism of action, ethambutol is classified asantimicrobialsinantituberculosis drugs.
| Classification level | Specific classification |
|---|---|
| Category | antimicrobials |
| subcategory | antituberculosis drugs |
| specific drugs | ethambutol |
2. Pharmacological effects of ethambutol
Ethambutol works by inhibiting the synthesis of the cell wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Its specific mechanism is to interfere with the activity of bacterial arabinosyltransferase, thereby blocking the synthesis of arabinogalactan, the main component of the bacterial cell wall. This effect leaves the bacterial cell wall structure incomplete, ultimately leading to bacterial death.
| target | Mechanism of action | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| arabinosyltransferase | Inhibit cell wall synthesis | bactericidal effect |
3. Indications of ethambutol
Ethambutol is mainly used to treat various types of tuberculosis, including pulmonary tuberculosis, lymph node tuberculosis, bone tuberculosis, etc. As part of a combination, it can effectively reduce the risk of tuberculosis bacteria becoming resistant to other drugs.
| Indication type | specific disease | Medication method |
|---|---|---|
| tuberculosis | Tuberculosis, lymphatic tuberculosis, bone tuberculosis, etc. | Oral, combined medication |
4. Side effects and precautions of ethambutol
Although ethambutol is an important drug in the treatment of tuberculosis, it also has certain side effects, especially toxicity to the visual system. The following are its main side effects and precautions:
| Side effect type | Specific performance | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| visual toxicity | Optic neuritis, color vision impairment, vision loss | Check your vision regularly while taking medication |
| gastrointestinal reactions | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea | Taking it after meals can reduce symptoms |
| allergic reaction | Rash, fever | Stop medication immediately and seek medical advice |
5. Usage and dosage of ethambutol
The dosage of ethambutol needs to be adjusted according to the patient's weight and severity of the condition. The usual daily dose for adults is 15-25mg/kg, and the maximum dose does not exceed 2.5g/day. Children need to be careful when using medication, and the dosage must be strictly followed by the doctor.
| patient type | dose range | Medication frequency |
|---|---|---|
| aldult | 15-25mg/kg/day | once a day |
| child | Follow doctor's advice | once a day |
6. Recent hot discussions about ethambutol
Among the hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days, the following topics about ethambutol have attracted much attention:
1.Ethambutol resistance issues: As the problem of drug resistance in tuberculosis intensifies, the rational use of ethambutol and drug resistance monitoring have become hot topics of discussion.
2.Prevention and treatment of visual toxicity: Many netizens shared the visual problems they or their relatives and friends experienced while using ethambutol, and discussed how to detect and intervene early.
3.combination medication regimen: The combination of ethambutol and other anti-tuberculosis drugs and its effects have attracted widespread attention from professional doctors and patients.
Summarize
Ethambutol, as an important anti-tuberculosis drug, plays an irreplaceable role in the treatment of tuberculosis. However, its side effects such as visual toxicity also require great attention. Patients should strictly follow the doctor's instructions during use and conduct relevant inspections regularly to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the medication. Through the structured data and analysis of this article, we hope to help readers fully understand the classification, functions and precautions of ethambutol.
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