Article Text
Articles
Ethambutol
Abstract
Ethambutol (Myambutol - Lederle), a new antituberculosis drug, was developed from a compound discovered during development of rubber additives. It is chemically different from all other antituberculosis drugs, and shows no cross-resistance with any of them. The drug diffuses actively into mycobacteria, arresting multiplication and causing cell death.1 Most strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are susceptible to about 5 mcg/ml of ethambutol in solid media. Some atypical mycobacteria are also susceptible.