Ethambutol is an ethylenediamine derivative that is ethane-1,2-diamine in which one hydrogen attached to each of the nitrogens is sutstituted by a 1-hydroxybutan-2-yl group (S,S-configuration). It is a bacteriostatic antimycobacterial drug, effective agai + some more technical info. Chemically it is a chiral diaminodiol whose base formula is C10H24N2O2 and molar mass is approximately 204.31 g mol to the base. The S,S stereochemistry confers the clinically used enantiomeric form; the drug is commonly supplied as the hydrochloride salt for oral dosing, with good aqueous solubility at physiological pH. Pharmacologically ethambutol inhibits mycobacterial cell wall assembly by targeting arabinosyl transferases, impairing incorporation of arabinose residues into arabinogalactan and lipoarabinomannan and producing a bacteriostatic effect against susceptible Mycobacterium species. Clinically used in combination regimens for active and latent tuberculosis, ethambutol is orally bioavailable, largely renally excreted as unchanged drug, dose dependent in systemic exposure and associated with dose related optic neuropathy that requires baseline and periodic visual acuity and color vision monitoring.
Parent: Ethambutol
Parent: Ethambutol / Ethambutol Hydrochloride
Parent: Ethambutol
Parent: Ethambutol
Related substances for ethambutol API and finished product typically reflect stereochemical variants and small degradation or synthetic byproducts. Common related compounds include the R,R enantiomer, the meso stereoisomer, N dealkylated species, oxidation products and low level condensation or coupling impurities derived from starting materials and reagents. Typical quality control targets used in manufacturing specifications are based on ICH principles and pharmacopeial practice: enantiomeric impurity (R,R) is generally controlled to low single digit percent levels, often below 2.0 percent; individual known related compounds are commonly limited to 0.5 percent or less; unspecified impurities are controlled at reporting thresholds and often limited to 0.1 to 0.2 percent for individual unknowns; total related substances are commonly limited to 1.0 to 2.0 percent depending on the manufacturer specification. Analytical control is achieved by validated HPLC for assay and related substances, chiral HPLC for enantiomeric purity and LC MS or NMR for structural identification.
Ethambutol is used as part of combination antitubercular regimens to treat active pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis and for certain latent mycobacterial infections. It is included to broaden regimen activity and to prevent emergence of resistance. It is not typically used as monotherapy.
Ethambutol inhibits mycobacterial cell wall biosynthesis by blocking arabinosyl transferases involved in assembly of arabinogalactan and lipoarabinomannan. This interference with cell wall construction results in a bacteriostatic effect against susceptible Mycobacterium species.
Avoid activities requiring unimpaired vision if you experience visual changes. Do not coadminister other drugs known to cause optic neuropathy without medical evaluation. Report any new blurring, loss of visual acuity or changes in color perception immediately. Excessive alcohol and other neurotoxic substances should be used with caution since they may exacerbate neuropathic risk. Dosing adjustments are required in renal impairment so avoid unsupervised dose changes.
No, Ethambutol is not a steroid. It is a synthetic ethylenediamine derivative with antimycobacterial activity and a mechanism of action distinct from corticosteroids.
