What is ethambutol?

 Ethambutol 

Ethambutol (EMB or E) is a bacteriostatic anti-mycobacterial drug used for treating tuberculosis with isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide. It is an odorless, bitter, white crystalline powder.  Highly soluble in chloroform, Ethelyn chloride, less soluble in benzene, sparingly soluble in water. It is also known as,   Ethambutolum, Aethambutolum, Myambutol, Tibutol, Diambutol,  Purderal, Ebutol etc.

■Structure:

The molecular formula of Ethambutol is, [C10H24N2O2]

The IUPAC name of Ethambutol is,(2S)-2-[2-[[(2S)-1-hydroxybutan-2-yl]amino]ethylamino]butan-1-ol.

■Synthesis:-

At first, nitropropane is react with H2CO and produced 2-nitrobutanol, which further reacts with H2/Ra-Ni and DCE/NaOH to produce Ethambutol. 

■Mechanism of action:-

It acts as a bacteriostatic against actively growing  TB bacilli. Mycolic acid  attached to 

the 5-hydroxyl group of D-arabinose residue of arabinogalactan.

                  As a result mycelial arabinogalactan-peptidoglycan complex forms in the cell wall, this complex inhibits the arbinosyl transferase enzyme and hinders the synthesis of arabinogalactan. Disruption of arabinogalactan synthesis inhibits this complex formation and increases ---ed cell wall permeability. 

■Uses:-

• It is used with other drugs in the treatment of TB.
• It is also used to treat MAC(mycobacterium avium complex).

■Side-effects:-

Ethambutol in a daily dose of 15mg/kg produced very few  adverse reactions, while in a high dose it causes,

• Blurred vision. 
• Increased sensitivity of your eyes to light.
• Loss of color vision.
• Pain with eye movement. 

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