Key takeaways
Ethambutol (Myambutol) and Rifabutin (Mycobutin) are both antibiotics, but they are used for different purposes and belong to different drug classes. Ethambutol is an antitubercular agent primarily used to treat tuberculosis (TB) lung infections and must be taken with other anti-TB antibiotics. It can cause vision problems, so regular eye check-ups are necessary. Rifabutin, on the other hand, is a rifamycin antibiotic used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections in people with severe HIV. It can change the color of your body fluids and has many drug interactions, especially with HIV medications. Unlike Ethambutol, Rifabutin is not a first-choice medication for its primary use and is not recommended for treating TB. Both medications are taken orally and are available in generic forms.
