Last update Dec. 29, 2023

Ethambutol Hydrochloride

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Ethambutol is a bacteriostatic agent used in the prophylaxis and treatment of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis, generally associated with isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide. Oral administration in one or three daily doses.

It is excreted in breast milk in a clinically insignificant amount (Partosch 2018, Fulton 1993, Snider 1984, Vorherr 1974) and no problems have been observed in infants whose mothers took it. (Keskin 2008, Drobac 2005)

Several medical societies and expert authors consider safe the use of this medication during breastfeeding. (Baquero 2015, CDC 2003, ATC-Blumberg 2003, Tran 1998)

Recommendations for Drugs in the Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs: compatible with Breastfeeding. (WHO 2002)

American Academy of Pediatrics: medication usually compatible with breastfeeding.(AAP 2001)


See below the information of this related product:

  • Maternal Tuberculosis (TBC) (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Ethambutol Hydrochloride since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.
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Other names

Ethambutol Hydrochloride in other languages or writings:

Group

Ethambutol Hydrochloride belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Ethambutol Hydrochloride in its composition:

List of 20 tradenames

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 75 - 80 %
Molecular weight 277 daltons
Protein Binding 20 - 30 %
VD 1.1 l/Kg
pKa 14.8 -
Tmax 2 - 4 hours
T½ 3.3 hours
M/P ratio 1 -
Theoretical Dose 0.08 - 0.7 mg/Kg/d
Relative Dose 0.3 - 4.6 %
Ped.Relat.Dose 2.8 - 4.6 %

References

  1. Algharably EA, Kreutz R, Gundert-Remy U. Infant Exposure to Antituberculosis Drugs via Breast Milk and Assessment of Potential Adverse Effects in Breastfed Infants: Critical Review of Data. Pharmaceutics. 2023 Apr 13;15(4). pii: 1228. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  2. Partosch F, Mielke H, Stahlmann R, Gundert-Remy U. Exposure of Nursed Infants to Maternal Treatment with Ethambutol and Rifampicin. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2018 Aug;123(2):213-220. Abstract
  3. Baquero-Artigao F, Mellado Peña MJ, del Rosal Rabes T, Noguera Julián A, Goncé Mellgren A, de la Calle Fernández-Miranda M, Navarro Gómez ML; Working Group on gestational, congenital, and postnatal tuberculosis, Spanish Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (PFIC). Guía de la Sociedad Española de Infectología Pediátrica sobre tuberculosis en la embarazada y el recién nacido (ii): profilaxis y tratamiento. [Spanish Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases guidelines on tuberculosis in pregnant women and neonates (ii): Prophylaxis and treatment]. An Pediatr (Barc). 2015 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. Keskin N, Yilmaz S. Pregnancy and tuberculosis: to assess tuberculosis cases in pregnancy in a developing region retrospectively and two case reports. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2008 Nov;278(5):451-5. Abstract
  5. Drobac PC, del Castillo H, Sweetland A, Anca G, Joseph JK, Furin J, Shin S. Treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis during pregnancy: long-term follow-up of 6 children with intrauterine exposure to second-line agents. Clin Infect Dis. 2005 Jun 1;40(11):1689-92. Epub 2005 Apr 18. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. ATC. Blumberg HM, Burman WJ, Chaisson RE, Daley CL, Etkind SC, Friedman LN, Fujiwara P, Grzemska M, Hopewell PC, Iseman MD, Jasmer RM, Koppaka V, Menzies RI, O'Brien RJ, Reves RR, Reichman LB, Simone PM, Starke JR, Vernon AA; American Thoracic Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Infectious Diseases Society. American Thoracic Society/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Infectious Diseases Society of America: treatment of tuberculosis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2003 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. CDC. (American Thoracic Society); CDC; Infectious Diseases Society of America. Treatment of tuberculosis. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2003 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  8. WHO / UNICEF. BREASTFEEDING AND MATERNAL MEDICATION Recommendations for Drugs in the Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs. Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (WHO/UNICEF) 2002 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  9. AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs. Transfer of drugs and other chemicals into human milk. Pediatrics. 2001 Sep;108(3):776-89. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  10. Tran JH, Montakantikul P. The safety of antituberculosis medications during breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 1998 Dec;14(4):337-40. Review. Abstract
  11. Fulton B, Moore LL. Antiinfectives in breastmilk. Part III: Antituberculars, quinolones and urinary germicides. J Hum Lact. 1993 Mar;9(1):43-6. No abstract available. Abstract
  12. Snider DE Jr, Powell KE. Should women taking antituberculosis drugs breast-feed? Arch Intern Med. 1984 Abstract
  13. Vorherr H. Drug excretion in breast milk. Postgrad Med. 1974 Oct;56(4):97-104. Review. No abstract available. Abstract

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