Combutol 400 Tablet (Ethambutol 400mg)

Combutol 400 Tablet

Combutol 400 mg Tablet belongs to the antitubercular group of medicines. The active ingredient in Combutol 400 mg Tablet is ethambutol. This medicine is an antibiotic used as a first-line medicine in the treatment of tuberculosis along with the combination of other medicines. Tuberculosis affects different organs in our body like lungs in pulmonary tuberculosis, intestine in abdominal tuberculosis, etc. Ethambutol is represented by the letter ‘E’ in the chemotherapy of WHO proposed 6-8 month multi-medicine ‘short course’ regimens in the treatment of tuberculosis by categorising the patients. All the regimens have an initial intensive phase with 4-5 medicines lasting for 2-3 months with a goal of rapidly killing the bacteria. Added to the triple medicine regimen of RHZ (combination of rifampicin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide), ethambutol has been found to hasten the rate of sputum conversion and to prevent the development of resistance. One of the main purposes of using ethambutol in first-line therapy is to prevent the development of resistance. Disclaimer: If you are experiencing cough along with the sputum for more than 2 weeks, it is better to consult a physician for the evaluation of tuberculosis

Uses of Combutol 400 MG

Combutol 400 mg Tablet is used in,
Treatment of tuberculosis affecting various organs like pulmonary tuberculosis, tuberculous meningitis (affecting membranes around the brain), abdominal tuberculosis, urogenital tuberculosis (affecting the kidneys and bladder), etc.
Re-treatment and prophylactic treatment of tuberculosis.

Contraindications of Combutol 400 MG

If you are allergic to ethambutol or any of its excipients
If you have any pre-existing health conditions like optic neuritis (inflammation of nerve fibres behind your eyes)
If you are suffering from serious liver conditions
If you are suffering from serious kidney problems

Side effects of Combutol 400 MG

Decreased vision,
Blurred vision
Optic neuritis (usually observed with higher dosage or overdose).
Skin rashes
Nausea (vomiting sensation)
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Cardiac problems
Pain and swelling of joints
Chills
Tense skin over affected joints
Yellowing of eyes (Jaundice)

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if
You have a history of liver disease, kidney disease, gout, eye-related problems.
You are pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or you conceive during the course of medication.
You observe any changes in your vision or any eye-related problems while you are on Combutol 400 mg. It is advised to have regular eye checkups, especially if you have any pre-existing eye-related problems.
You have had tuberculosis in the past. Inform your doctor about treatment history and medicines used so that appropriate medicines can be prescribed.
You experience side effects that persist or worsen in time.
Do not stop taking Combutol 400 mg abruptly without consulting your physician.

Related Product

Mode of Action of Combutol 400 MG

How Does It Work?
Ethambutol is the active ingredient of Combutol Tablet. The mechanism of action of ethambutol is not fully understood. But it has been found to inhibit arabinosyltransferase(an enzyme involved in arabinogalactan synthesis), thus interfering in the synthesis of mycolic acid incorporation into the cell wall of the bacteria, causing tuberculosis. Resistance to ethambutol develops slowly and is more commonly associated with the mutation of a gene leading to the decreased affinity of enzymes for ethambutol. The use of ethambutol reduces the risk of toxicity and the risk of developing resistance to other first-line medicines in the chemotherapy of tuberculosis. Ethambutol is active against MAC (Mycobacterium Avium Complex) and some other types of mycobacteria, but not other types of bacteria.

Directions for Use of Combutol 400 MG

Take Combutol 400 mg Tablet exactly as prescribed by your physician.
Do not exceed the prescribed dosage or miss a dose.
Do not discontinue the medication until the completion of the course or as directed by your physician even if the symptoms disappear.
Take Combutol Tablet as a whole, with a glass of water.
Do not break this medicine or chew it.
For optimal pharmacological effects, it is better to take the tablet at the same time every day.
It is advised to note down the days of consumption of the tablet in a week in order to avoid missing the doses or to avoid overdose.

Interactions of Combutol 400 MG

Interactions with other medicines
Inform your physician about any other medicines or supplements you are taking to avoid side effects associated with medicine interaction.
It is advised to take Combutol 400 mg Tablet 2 hours before you take antacids. Antacids containing Aluminium hydroxide are known to decrease the absorption of Combutol 400 mg. Your doctor may advise alternatives to the antacids.
Vitamin supplements may also interact with Combutol 400 mg Tablet. So, it is advised to inform your physician about your treatment history before prescribing the medications.
Interactions with food items
Combutol 400 mg Tablet can be taken with or without food. There is no proper evidence of its interaction with the food. However, if you observe any difficulty while taking Combutol 400 mg Tablet along with food, consult your physician immediately. Talk to your physician about any herbal supplements you are consuming while taking Combutol Tablet.

Storage and disposal of Combutol 400 MG

Combutol Tablet should be stored at room temperature in a dry container. Keep it out of reach of children. Avoid exposing the medicine to heat, sunlight, or moisture. Open the seal only before taking the tablet. Avoid taking the tablet left outside to the open air. Dispose of expired/unused medicine. Do not flush medications down the toilet or throw them into drainage unless instructed to do so. For safe disposal, pack the medication in a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into a bin.

Dosage of Combutol 400 MG

Overdose
Overdose of Combutol Tablet may cause symptoms like vomiting, fever, headache, dizziness, disorientation, etc. Additionally, if you experience any side effects like vision problems, skin-related problems, etc., even if you don’t have any disease history, consult your physician immediately.
Missed a Dose
If you miss a dose of Combutol Tablet, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost the time for the next dose, avoid taking the missed dose. Inform your physician about your missed dose. The gap between the doses must be maintained to prevent an overdose.