Ethambutol

Definition

An antibiotic with bacteriostatic, antimicrobial and antitubercular properties. Ethambutol interferes with the biosynthesis of arabinogalactan, a major polysaccharide of the mycobacterial cell wall. It inhibits the polymerization of cell wall arabinan of arabinogalactan and lipoarabinomannan by blocking arabinosyl transferases and induces the accumulation of D-arabinofuranosyl-P-decaprenol, an intermediate in arabinan biosynthesis. This results in halting bacterial growth.

Also known as ETHAMBUTOL — per NCIT

Also identified as

• ATC J04AK02 per RXNORM
• NCIT NCIT:C61755 per NCIT
• SCTID 24450004 per RXNORM
• SCTID 387129004 per RXNORM
• UNII 8G167061QZ per RXNORM

Indications