Ethambutol: Friend or foe?

Abstract

Ethambutol (EMB) is one of the first-line antimycobacterial drugs used to treat tuberculosis and is also used to treat atypical mycobacterium infections. It is almost always used in combination with other antimycobacterial drugs. Ever since the drug's introduction in the 1960s, there have been descriptions of optic neuropathy associated with EMB. Despite a clear association of EMB-induced optic neuropathy, many questions remain unanswered, namely, which tests are more accurate to monitor toxicity, how often should they be performed and once the optic neuropathy is present, how much of it is reversible? © 2014 Informa UK Ltd.