Ethambutol - side effects

I have bronchiectasis and Mac. I've been on Ethambutol, Azithromycin, and Rifampin (Monday, Wed, Friday) for 5 months, so at least 13 more months to go. I do sometimes get a little headache, but nothing big. My biggest complaint is lower abdominal cramps, not every medicine day, but at least one day a week. My Infectious Disease doctor says she hasn't ever had that complaint, which really surprised me since it's a side effect listed on the RX description.
Hope your headaches ease up!

Yes I did.

Yes i had slight headache when I started Azo and ethambul but then it got better.
I only tolerated the drugs for 7 weeks because I was getting stomach and abdominal cramping that lasted 24 hours on sat and sun.
Good luck!

I just started Ethambutol, Azithromycin and Rifampin yesterday. I had a headache within an hour of taking the Ethambutol and Azithromycin yesterday and my headache went away mostly after I took an ibuprofen but today not so lucky. It only took the edge off and I still felt a bit nauseous all day. Have to say, I haven’t noticed the rifampin except my urine being bright orange.
Really hoping these headaches are short term til my body gets used to the drugs. Supposed to go back to work tomorrow and be friendly to customers so I pray I feel better!

@traceyk My doctor staggered start of the three medicines so I haven't started the other 2 but I had a headache, too with the Ethambutol and just portal messaged the doctor about it. (I'm on day 5 of just Ethambutol. ) Yesterday the headache didn't come on until later in the day - like 9 hours after the medicine and didn't last as long. Good luck and I hope you feel better. This is all so strange so I'm thinking of you.

This am I took an ibuprofen with my Ethambutol and Azithromycin and other than a few moments later in the day ( like 7+ hrs later), I didn’t get the bad headache like the days before.
I’ll wait til my next day off work before I try no ibuprofen again. Had such a better day!
Now off to see ophthalmologist in the am. Imagine this is to get a baseline? Surely Ethambutol would take time before doing any eye damage? Is it our eyes causing our headaches I wonder… I’ll be asking him/her about it.

I started Ethambutol first also. The headache diappeared then added Azithromycin 3x a week. Did ok M-F but weekends i was in bed with cramping that lasted 24 hours.
Contacted my pulmonologist and ID that I cannot tolerate the drug course. Both said to stop, do regular airway clearance and chest CTs every 6 months. I also asked my pulmonologist to order the Vest and pul rehab.
Of course I am scared my lungs will get worse. I have difficulty with drugs.
Good Luck!

I’m on month 17 and so far eye exams have been good. Best of luck!

Ok tomorrow morning is ophthalmologist appointment. Silly me. I’ll ask about headaches tomorrow. And yes, I took an hour to drive there and back with my husband. He is very happy with me. Maybe this disease or treatment is affecting my brain….

I have flashness in eyes but not headache. It happened after one month of taking ethambutol.
I took an eye vitamin. The eye flashness happened three times in the past six months. I never had eye flashness before. I will schedule a VEP test with SUNY College of Optometry in 42th street, NYC, to see whether there is any change of optic nerve. They need a referral from my ophthalmologist. I have faxed it to SUNY yesterday and will expect a call back from them to schedule an appointment.