Ethambutol

Ethambutol
	Chemical structure of ethambutol (top) and photo of ethambutol crystals (bottom)
Clinical data
Trade names	Myambutol, Etibi, Servambutol, others
Other names	(2S,2’S)-2,2’-(Ethane-1,2-diyldiimino)dibutan-1-ol
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
License data	US DailyMed: Ethambutol;
Routes of; administration	By mouth
ATC code	J04AK02 (WHO) J04AM09 (WHO);
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S4 (Prescription only); In general: ℞ (Prescription only);
Pharmacokinetic data
Protein binding	20–30%
Metabolism	liver
Elimination half-life	3–4 hours
Identifiers
	IUPAC name (2S)-2-[2-[[(2S)-1-hydroxybutan-2-yl]amino]ethylamino]butan-1-ol;
CAS Number	74-55-5 ;
PubChem CID	14052;
DrugBank	DB00330;
ChemSpider	13433;
UNII	8G167061QZ;
KEGG	D07925;
ChEBI	CHEBI:4877;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL44884;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID8023006 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.000.737
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C10H24N2O2
Molar mass	204.314 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
	SMILES CC[C@@H](CO)NCCN[C@@H](CC)CO;
	InChI InChI=1S/C10H24N2O2/c1-3-9(7-13)11-5-6-12-10(4-2)8-14/h9-14H,3-8H2,1-2H3/t9-,10-/m0/s1 ; Key:AEUTYOVWOVBAKS-UWVGGRQHSA-N;

Ethambutol (EMB, E) is a medication primarily used to treat tuberculosis. It is usually given in combination with other tuberculosis medications, such as isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide. It may also be used to treat Mycobacterium avium complex, and Mycobacterium kansasii. It is taken by mouth.

Common side effects include problems with vision, joint pain, nausea, headaches, and feeling tired. Other side effects include liver problems and allergic reactions. It is not recommended in people with optic neuritis, significant kidney problems, or under the age of five. Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding has not been found to cause harm. In the United States the FDA has raised concerns about eye issues in the baby if used during pregnancy. Ethambutol is believed to work by interfering with the bacteria's metabolism.

Ethambutol was discovered in 1961. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines and is available as a generic medication.