Who can administer
May be administered by registered competent doctor or nurse/midwife
Important information
- Unlicensed preparation
- Must be diluted before administration via IV infusion. High peak levels increase risk of damage to eyesight so DO NOT GIVE undiluted
Available preparations
EMB-Fatol 1g in 10ml vial
Reconstitution
Already in solution
Dilute further prior to administration
Infusion fluids
Sodium chloride 0.9% or Glucose 5%
Methods of intravenous administration
Slow intravenous infusion
- Add required dose to 500ml infusion solution and administer over at least 2 hours (ref 1)
- Slow infusion required, as high peak levels increase risk of damage to eyesight
Dose in adults
Usual dose
- Use the same dose by intravenous infusion as would be given orally
- Switch to oral therapy as soon as possible
Renal impairment (ref 2)
| GFR (mL/min/1.73m2) |
Dose |
Alternative dose |
| Greater than 20 |
Usual dose |
| 10 to 20 |
15 mg/kg every 24 to 36 hours |
7.5 to 15 mg/kg/day |
| less than 10 |
15 mg/kg every 48 hours |
5 to 7.5 mg/kg/day |
Monitoring
- Hypersensitivity syndrome has been reported (skin reaction, eosinophilia plus one or more of the following: hepatitis, pneumonitis, nephritis, myocarditis, pericarditis). Fever and lymphadenopathy may be present.
- Anaphylactoid reactions have been reported
- Ethambutol can cause optic neuritis and must be discontinued in patients who report changes in their eyesight, as it can cause irreversible visual damage (blindness) if treatment is not discontinued in a timely manner.
- Monitor renal and hepatic function
Storage
Store below 250C
References
1: Medusa UK Injectable Medicines guide downloaded 17th Jan 2023
2: Renaldrugdatabase.com, downloaded 17th Jan 2023
Therapeutic classification
Anti-tuberculosis agent
