Ethambutol/Aluminum hydroxide
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Moderate. These medicines may cause some risk when taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
Antacids containing aluminum hydroxide may bind to ethambutol in your digestive tract, preventing its absorption.
What might happen:
The amount of ethambutol your body absorbs may decrease and it may not work as well.
What you should do about this interaction:
Let your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know that you are taking these medicines together. Do not take aluminum-hydroxide containing antacids 4 hours before or after taking your ethambutol.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
References:
1.Myambutol (ethambutol hcl) US prescribing information. X-GEN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. October, 2008.
2.Mattila MJ, Linnoila M, Seppala T, Koskinen R. Effect of aluminium hydroxide and glycopyrrhonium on the absorption of ethambutol and alcohol in man. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1978 Feb;5(2):161-6.
3.Peloquin CA, Bulpitt AE, Jaresko GS, Jelliffe RW, Childs JM, Nix DE. Pharmacokinetics of ethambutol under fasting conditions, with food, and with antacids. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1999 Mar;43(3):568-72.
