Ethambutol is a first-line antitubercular drug used in combination with agents like isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide to treat tuberculosis and prevent drug resistance. It works by inhibiting arabinogalactan synthesis, disrupting the mycobacterial cell wall and leading to bacterial death, and is administered orally. Discovered in the 1960s, ethambutol provided a potent, well-tolerated option for TB treatment, although careful monitoring is needed for optic neuritis, a potential reversible side effect. Over time, it has remained an essential component of multidrug TB regimens, helping reduce treatment duration and combat resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Image
