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Ethambutol Disease Interactions

There are 4 disease interactions with ethambutol.

Major

Ethambutol (applies to ethambutol) optic neuritis

Major Potential Hazard, High plausibility. Applicable conditions: Visual Defect/Disturbance

Ethambutol is contraindicated in patients with known optic neuritis unless clinical judgement determines that it may be used. Ethambutol can produce decreases in visual acuity which appear to be due to optic neuritis. This may be related to dose and duration of treatment, and is generally reversible when administration of the drug is discontinued promptly. However, irreversible blindness has been reported. Ethambutol should not be used in patients who are unable to identify and report visual side effects or changes in vision such as young children or unconscious patients. It should be administered cautiously and only after careful consideration of risks and benefits in patients with preexisting visual defects such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, or recurrent inflammatory conditions of the eye. Ophthalmologic testing of visual acuity, visual field, and color discrimination is required before and during treatment. However, visual changes may be difficult to evaluate in some cases, since they may be related to the underlying disease rather than the drug.

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Moderate

Ethambutol (applies to ethambutol) hepatic impairment

Moderate Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility. Applicable conditions: Liver Disease

Liver toxicities including fatalities have been reported when using ethambutol. Caution is advised, especially if using in patients with hepatic impairment. Baseline and periodic assessment of hepatic function should be performed.

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Moderate

Ethambutol (applies to ethambutol) hyperuricemia

Moderate Potential Hazard, High plausibility. Applicable conditions: Gout

Ethambutol may commonly cause hyperuricemia, which has been reported in up to two-thirds of treated patients. Occasionally, it has led to joint arthralgias and gouty arthritis after 1 to 2 months of therapy. Serum uric acid levels should be monitored in patients with preexisting hyperuricemia or gout during ethambutol therapy, and appropriate measures (e.g., administration of uricosuric agents) taken to prevent the development or exacerbation of gout.

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Moderate

Ethambutol (applies to ethambutol) renal dysfunction

Moderate Potential Hazard, High plausibility.

Ethambutol is primarily eliminated by the kidney. Patients with renal impairment may be at greater risk for adverse effects from ethambutol, including optic neuritis, due to decreased drug clearance. Therapy with ethambutol should be administered cautiously in patients with renal impairment. Dosage adjustments are recommended in moderate renal impairment but should be based on serum levels of ethambutol.

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Ethambutol drug interactions

There are 130 drug interactions with ethambutol.

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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