Ethambutol Toxicity in HIV Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy

Abstract

Over the years treatment of tuberculosis in persons living with HIV has changed. Ethambutol toxic optic neuropathy is a rare complication but consideration should be given to regular monitoring of visual function in HIV positive patients on antiretroviral therapy. Physicians treating patients with Ethambutol need to be wary of this and must adopt appropriate strategies for early detection and management of the potential toxicity. This review cautions against the ocular side effects of ethambutol especially among the immunocompromised patients put on directly observed short -course regimen (DOTS) for treatment of tuberculosis. The latest guidelines issued by World Health Organization (WHO) and centre for disease control (CDC) do not omit the use of Ethambutol (EMB) in patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART)

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