Myambutol

What it is used for

INDICATIONS AS AT 04 JAN 2002 : Oral Administation : MYAMBUTOL is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, as shown by a large number of studies by investigators throughout the world. It has also been used successfully in cases of primary tuberculosis and extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis, including miliary tuberculosis, tuberculois meningitis, tuberculosis of bones and joints, genitourinary tuberculosis, tuberculous of the shin and tuberculous eye diseases. It should not be used as the sole antituberculosis drug, but should be used in conjuction with at least one other antituberculosis drug. Selection of the companion drug should be based on clinical experience, considerations of comparative safety and appropriate in vitro susceptibility studies. In patients who have not received previous antituberculosis therapy, i.e. initial treatment, the most frequently used regimens have included three of the following drugs – MYAMBUTOL, isoniazid, rifampicin and streptomycin – for the first 2-4 months for example, MYAMBUTOL plus isoniazid plus rifampicin or MYAMBUTOL plus isoniazid plus streptomycin then continuing with a two drug regimen such as MYAMBUTOL plus isoniazid or MYAMBUTOL plus rifampicin. In patients who have received previous antituberculosis therapy, mycobacterial resistance to other durgs used in initial therapy is frequent. Consequently, in such retreatment cases MYAMBUTOL should be combined with at least one of the second-line drugs not previously administered to the patient and to which bacterial susceptibility has been indicated by appropriate in vitro studies. Antituberculosis drugs used with MYAMBUTOL have included cycloserine, ethionamide, pyrazinamide, viomycin and other drugs. Isoniazid, aminosalicylic acid, and streptomycin have also been use in multiple drug regimens. Alternating drug regimens have also been utilised.