About Ethambutol Hydrochloride:
- It is an antibacterial prescription medicine used for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB).
- It is a synthetic, water soluble, heat stable
- It is specifically effective against actively growing microorganisms of the genus Mycobacterium including tuberculosis.
- It is used to combat both pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
- Mechanism:
- Ethambutol (HCl) specifically targets the synthesis of the cell wall in M. tuberculosis.
- By interfering with the polymerization of arabinogalactan, a key component of the mycobacterial cell wall, Ethambutol disrupts the structural integrity of the bacteria, leading to its demise.
- Its unique mode of action is fundamental in combination therapies, where it is often used in conjunction with other anti-tubercular drugs to prevent resistance and enhance efficacy.
- Resistance to ethambutol emerges rapidly when the drug is used alone. Therefore ethambutol is always given in combination with other antituberculosis drugs.
