Combutol 800 Tablet
Ethambutol (800mg)
by Lupin Ltd
strip of 10 tablets
Schedule H1 drug. Sold only against a valid prescription; the sale is recorded in a register retained for three years.
About this medicine
Combutol 800 Tablet is an antibiotic that belongs to a class of medicines known as anti tuberculosis drugs. It is used in the treatment and prevention of tuberculosis, an infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs and in some cases other parts of the body. Combutol 800 Tablet is usually given in combination with at least one other tuberculosis medicine. It should be used in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. This medicine may be taken with or without food, preferably at the same time every day. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping it early can result in treatment failure and in the development of drug-resistant tuberculosis. This can lead to serious health complications. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose as it may increase the side effects. Some people may experience visual impairment and color blindness, as side effects of this medicine. Please consult your doctor if these side effects do not resolve or worsen. Inform your doctor if you have diabetes as it can lower the sugar levels in the blood. If you are diabetic, you should monitor your blood sugar regularly. Your doctor may monitor your liver function, vision, and thyroid function while on treatment with this medicine.
Uses
- Tuberculosis (TB)
Benefits
In Tuberculosis (TB) Combutol 800 Tablet is used to treat tuberculosis, an infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs but can affect other parts of the body as well. It stops the growth of infection causing bacteria and helps in treating the infection. Take it in the dose and duration advised by the doctor. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cured. Do not stop taking it without consulting your doctor as doing so may cause the infection to return or worsen. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to get maximum benefit.
How it works
Combutol 800 Tablet is an antibiotic. It works by slowing the growth of bacteria that causes tuberculosis.
How to use
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Combutol 800 Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
Common side effects
- Visual impairment
- Color blindness
Safety advice
- AlcoholCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
- It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Combutol 800 Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
- PregnancyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
- Combutol 800 Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
- Breast feedingSAFE IF PRESCRIBED
- Combutol 800 Tablet is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.
- DrivingUNSAFE
- Combutol 800 Tablet may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive. Combutol 800 Tablet occasionally causes sight problems and tingling or numbness in hand or feet. After taking this medicine you should not drive until you know how it affects you.
- KidneyCAUTION
- Combutol 800 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Combutol 800 Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Kidney function tests are advisable before the start of this medicine.
- LiverCAUTION
- Combutol 800 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Combutol 800 Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose of Combutol 800 Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Quick facts
- Chemical Class
- 1,2-Aminoalcohols
- Habit Forming
- No
- Therapeutic Class
- Anti infectives
- Action Class
- Mycobacterial cell wall inhibitors-Ethambutol
Frequently asked questions
My child vomited after taking Combutol 800 Tablet. What should be done?
If your child vomited within 30 minutes of taking Combutol 800 Tablet, give the same dose again. If vomiting occurred 30 minutes after taking Combutol 800 Tablet, you need not repeat the dose. If your child vomits again after taking Combutol 800 Tablet, consult your doctor.
For how long does Combutol 800 Tablet stay in your system?
Combutol 800 Tablet stays for about 24 hours in your system. This duration varies from person to person and maybe different for patients with kidney problems.
Will Combutol 800 Tablet work if I have developed tuberculosis for the second time?
Yes, it will work if you had taken proper treatment and got cured when you developed tuberculosis for the first time. If you have any doubt, ask your doctor.
Is it necessary to take so many TB drugs simultaneously? Is there no single medicine which can provide a cure for tuberculosis?
Yes, it is important that you take all the prescribed TB drugs together for the recommended duration, else you will not be cured. A single drug is not prescribed to treat TB because it may increase the risk of developing multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, which is very difficult to treat.
What is drug resistance? Can I become resistant to Combutol 800 Tablet?
Sometimes it happens that bacteria gets modified in your body and stops reacting to the medicine. As a result, the medicine stops working. This is called drug resistance. Drug resistance is uncommon if Combutol 800 Tablet is used in combination with other TB drugs.
Can Combutol 800 Tablet treatment be taken for more than two months?
Yes, Combutol 800 Tablet can be continued for more than 2 months, depending on your condition and as per your doctor’s advice. If after 2 months, your investigations show that the TB bacteria are still active, you may have to take Combutol 800 Tablet for 1 more month. In case you are resistant to other TB drugs, you may have to take Combutol 800 Tablet and other TB drugs (for which you are not drug resistant) for longer than 2 months.
What are the warning signals which should prompt me to stop taking Combutol 800 Tablet?
You should consult your doctor and consider stopping the medicine immediately if you develop any vision problems like blurred vision, color blindness or any kidney problems like decreased amount of urine and swelling of your legs and feet. You may even develop liver troubles like nausea, vomiting and yellowish color of skin and eyes. Beware of all these symptoms and consult your doctor immediately.
Product details
- Manufacturer
- Lupin Ltd
- Salt composition
- Ethambutol (800mg)
- Pack
- strip of 10 tablets
- Dosage form
- Tablet
- Storage
- Store below 30°C
Same salt, other brands
Therapeutically equivalent. Ask your doctor or our pharmacist before substituting.
The content above is for information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a registered medical practitioner before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.