E-DRUG: Formulation of Ethambutol with other anti-TB drugs (3)
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Dear Gauda Timothy Mahlatsi
The fixed dose combination formulations of Anti- Tuberculosis Drugs
(ATDs) contains rifampicin, pyrazinamide and isoniazid which can not
only be combined with ethambutol but also with streptomycin formulated
separately.
Keeping ethambutol separate may be due to the following reasons:
1.
Possible interaction of ethambutol pyrazinamide
2
Requirement of the standard/recommended treatment regimen (e.g., in
USA, unless there is virtual certainty that a person has fully sensitive
organisms, all first time tuberculosis cases are recommended for a
4-drug regimen which includes isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and
either ethambutol or streptomycin. The initial use of four drugs is
advisable in populations where bacterial resistance to isoniazid &
pyrazinamide is more common and in patients suffering from AIDS
3
keeping the fixed dose combinations flexible since sometimes cahning of
dose freqeucney of a drug is needed, e.g., in reduced renal function,
ethambutol required to be changed in frequency
Hoping it would be a stimulus for a very fruitful discussion among
members.
Regards
Nadeem Irfan Bukhari
Lecturer Pharmaceutical Technology,
International Medical University,
Bukit Jalil 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Web: http://www.imu.edum.my
Tel: +60 3 8656 7228, Ext. 1186; Fax: 86567229
C/P: +60 12 3242264
"Nadeem Irfan Bukhari" <nadeemirfan_bukhari@imu.edu.my>