what is the drug rifampin used for

Precautions

What Is Rifampin and How Does It Work? Rifampin is a prescription medication used for treatment of both tuberculosis and the meningococcal carrier state.

What is rifampin prescribed for?

Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Rifadin including:

• flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headache, muscle aches),
• changes in amount of urine,
• persistent nausea or vomiting,
• stomach or abdominal pain,
• dark urine,
• yellowing eyes or skin,
• mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, unusual behavior ),
• unusual tiredness,
• easy bruising or bleeding,
• small red spots on the skin, or

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What are the side effects of rifampin?

Rifampin has a half-life of about 4 hours, but the time required to produce maximum enzyme induction is much longer due to the requirement of producing additional enzyme.

How long does rifampin stay in your system?

Rifampin is an antibiotic that is used to treat or prevent tuberculosis (TB). Rifampin may also be used to reduce certain bacteria in your nose and throat that could cause meningitis or other infections. Rifampin prevents you from spreading these bacteria to other people, but rifampin will not treat an active meningitis infection.

What is rifampin good for?

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What is rifampin used for?

Rifampin is frequently used in combination with other antibiotics to prevent or treat certain kinds of infections (e.g., latent/active tuberculosis, meningococcal disease ). Your dose/schedule/treatment length will vary, depending on what you are treated for.

How to report rifampin side effects in Canada?

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345. Precautions. Before taking rifampin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

Can rifampin cause false results?

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (urine screening for opiates, blood serum folate/ vitamin B12 ), possibly causing false test results. Rifampin may also make it harder for your body to get rid of certain chemicals used in gallbladder tests.

Can rifampin be taken in breast milk?

Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Rifampin passes into breast milk but is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Interactions. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects.

Does rifamycin help with viral infections?

This medication is a rifamycin antibiotic used to prevent and treat tuberculosis and other infections.This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (such as common cold, flu ). Using any antibiotic when it is not needed can cause it to not work for future infections.

Can you take rifampin with antacids?

If you have nausea, do not take antacids with rifampin since it will lessen the effectiveness of this drug. However, if you need to take antacids, ...

Why is rifampin prescribed?

Why is this medication prescribed? Rifampin is used with other medications to treat tuberculosis (TB; a serious infection that affects the lungs and sometimes other parts of the body).

What are the side effects of rifampin?

Rifampin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: 1 temporary discoloration (yellow, reddish-orange, or brown color) of your skin, teeth, saliva, urine, stool, sweat, and tears) 2 itching 3 flushing 4 headache 5 drowsiness 6 dizziness 7 lack of coordination 8 difficulty concentrating 9 confusion 10 changes in behavior 11 muscle weakness 12 numbness 13 pain in the arms, hands, feet, or legs 14 heartburn 15 stomach cramps 16 loss of appetite 17 nausea 18 vomiting 19 diarrhea 20 gas 21 painful or irregular menstrual periods 22 vision changes

How should this medicine be used?

Rifampin comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It should be taken with a full glass of water on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. When rifampin is used to treat tuberculosis, it is taken once daily. When rifampin is used to prevent the spread of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria to other people, it is taken twice daily for 2 days or once daily for 4 days. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take rifampin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

How long before taking rifampin before taking antacids?

if you are taking antacids, take rifampin at least 1 hour before you take the antacids.

What to do if you are allergic to rifampin?

Before taking rifampin, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to rifampin, rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifapentine (Priftin), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in rifampin capsules. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

What happens if you stop taking rifampin?

If you stop taking rifampin too soon, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics. If you miss doses of rifampin, you may develop uncomfortable or serious symptoms when you begin to take the medication again.

What is rifampin used for?

Uses of Rifampin Capsules: It is used to treat TB ( tuberculosis ). It is used to stop the spread of meningitis in people who carry the bacteria but are not sick with the disease. It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

How is this medicine (Rifampin Capsules) best taken?

Use this medicine (rifampin capsules) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

What are some other side effects of Rifampin Capsules?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Rifampin Capsules?

Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.

How long after taking rifampin can you take antacids?

Do not take antacids within 1 hour before or 1 hour after taking this medicine (rifampin capsules). Keep taking this medicine (rifampin capsules) as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well. Take with a full glass of water.

Can rifampin cause liver problems?

Liver problems have happened with this medicine (rifampin capsules). Sometimes these problems have been deadly in people who had liver disease and in people who took this medicine (rifampin capsules) with other drugs that may raise the chance of liver problems. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.

Can rifampin affect lab tests?

This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take this medicine (rifampin capsules). Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine (rifampin capsules). If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.

What is rifampin used for?

Rifampin is a medication used in the management and treatment of various mycobacterial and gram-positive bacterial infections. It belongs to the antimicrobial class of drugs. This activity describes the indications, action, and contraindications for rifampin as a valuable agent in managing tuberculosis, leprosy, and serious gram-positive infections, including MRSA. This activity will highlight the mechanism of action, adverse event profile, and other key factors (e.g., off-label uses, dosing, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, monitoring, and relevant interactions) pertinent to members of the healthcare team in the management of patients with tuberculosis and related conditions.

Is rifampin a lipid?

Rifampin is a highly lipid-soluble drug and is available in oral or intravenous formulations. When given orally, it is rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the body. It is excreted equally in bile and urine and has a half-life of 2.5 hours.[11]  When meninges are inflamed, a significant amount of drugs can enter the cerebrospinal fluid, thereby making it useful clinically in the treatment of bacterial meningitis.[12]  It is available for intravenous use in critically ill patients with life-threatening infections caused by gram-positive organisms when oral formulations are not as effective. It does not require dosage adjustments in renal disorders. It is usually avoided in patients with preexisting liver diseases since rifampin is associated with significant hepatotoxicity, but the dose can be adjusted if a potential benefit exists. It can be safely administered during pregnancy and breastfeeding and is not associated with any congenital malformations or neonatal complications. [13][14]  Cases of rifampin-induced esophagitis have also been documented, especially in the elderly population. This is why it is recommended that rifampin is taken with a full glass of water, 1 or 2 hours before meals.  [15] Rifampin is a potent cytochrome P450 enzyme inducer. A careful review of the patient's medications should be performed in order to avoid any dampening effects of concomitant medications taken alongside rifampin.  [16]

Does rifampin cause liver problems?

Since rifampin can cause significant hepatoxicity, baseline liver function tests (LFTs) are recommended before starting the treatment.   When symptoms of hepatotoxicity (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, worsening LFTs, pruritus) occur, the dose should be decreased or rifampin should be stopped completely. Serial blood draws to monitor LFTs are recommended in these cases.  With tuberculosis, guidelines establish that rifampin has to be stopped if alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increases three times the upper limit of normal (with hepatitis symptoms like jaundice, abdominal pain, nausea, anorexia) or five times (when asymptomatic).[23]  The drug concentration levels of concomitantly administered medications are to be monitored regularly due to rifampin's ability to induce microsomal enzymes.  [16] Especial consideration in monitoring rifampin has to be made in certain conditions like; diabetes, malabsorption syndromes, HIV, or in the elderly population, due to a higher rate of poor drug absorption, and increased drug interactions caused by decreased metabolism or clearance.  [24]

Is rifampin a hepatotoxic drug?

Its toxicity has been determined as dose-related (hepato-toxic) or due to the duration of treatment (immuno-allergic toxicity).[17]  Dose-related toxic effects start to appear with the ingestion of 9 to 15 g of rifampin.  [25] A wide variety of symptoms can be seen like; metabolic acidosis (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, hyperventilation, and fatigue), thrombocytopenia (skin and mucosal bleeding), oliguric renal failure, convulsions, cholestatic jaundice, and red man syndrome (glowing red discoloration of the skin, facial, and periorbital edema). There is no specific antidote for its toxicity, and treatment is mostly supportive, including airway maintenance, antiemetic medications, gastric lavage with activated charcoal, correction of electrolytes and acid-base balances, active diuresis, and in severe cases, dialysis.  [17] [26]

Does rifampin inhibit RNA?

Rifampin produces bactericidal antimicrobial activity by inhibition of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RNAP) either by sterically blocking the path of the elongating RNA at the 5′ end or by decreasing the affinity of the RNAP for short RNA transcripts.  It specifically inhibits the microbial RNAP, halting further RNA synthesis.  [6][7][8]Rifampin has no action on the mammalian RNAP enzyme, thereby decreasing the number of potential adverse effects in humans. Elevated levels of bile acids are primarily responsible for the pruritis seen with cholestatic diseases like primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The antipruritic effect of rifampin, which has been described to be of most benefit in cholestatic disorders, is mediated by the upregulation of the microsomal enzymes cytochrome P3A (CYP3A), which subsequently induces hydroxylation of bile acids. The hydroxylation of bile acids decreases their ileal reabsorption which further alleviates the pruritic symptoms. [9][10]

What Is Rifampin and How Does It Work?

Rifampin is a prescription medication used for treatment of both tuberculosis and the meningococcal carrier state. Bacteriologic cultures should be obtained before the start of therapy to confirm the susceptibility of the organism to rifampin and they should be repeated throughout therapy to monitor the response to treatment.

What are the side effects of rifampin?

shortness of breath. wheezing. decrease in blood pressure. shock. Rare side effects of rifampin include: blood in urine. inflammation in the kidney. lack of blood flow to the kidneys. kidney insufficiency.

What Other Drugs Interact with Rifampin?

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

What Are Warnings and Precautions for Rifampin?

This medication contains rifampin. Do not take Rifadin or Rimactane if you are allergic to rifampin or any ingredients contained in this drug.

How many drugs does rifampin interact with?

Rifampin has serious interactions with at least 159 different drugs. Rifampin has moderate interactions with at least 237 different drugs. Rifampin has mild interactions with at least 67 different drugs. This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects.

Is rifampin a good intermittent drug?

Rifampin is not recommended for intermittent therapy; caution patient against intentional or accidental interruption of daily dosage regimen; rare renal hypersensitivity reactions have been reported when therapy was resumed in such cases

Is rifampin contraindicated for atazanavir?

Contraindicated in patients receiving atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, saquinavir, or tipranavir, because rifampin may cause substantial decreases in plasma concentrations of these antiviral drugs, which may result in loss of antiviral efficacy or development of viral resistance. Effects of Drug Abuse.

What is rifampin?

Rifampin is an antibacterial prescription medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Rifampin is also FDA-approved to treat people who carry Neisseria meningitidis bacteria but have no symptoms of disease. Treatment with rifampin eliminates the bacteria from their noses and throats. This use of rifampin can prevent the spread of meningitis and other meningococcal diseases caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria.

How should I use rifampin?

Use rifampin according to your health care provider’s instructions. Your health care provider will tell you how much rifampin to use and when to use it. Before you start rifampin and each time you get a refill, read any printed information that comes with your medicine.

How is rifampin used in people with HIV?

The Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents with HIV and the Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Exposed and HIV-infected Children include recommendations on the uses of rifampin in people with HIV to treat:

How to keep rifampin from getting out of date?

Protect the medicine from light. Keep rifampin in the container that it came in and keep the container tightly closed. Do not use rifampin if the original seal over the container opening is broken or missing. Throw away rifampin that is no longer needed or expired (out of date).

What are the conditions that can cause allergic reactions to rifampin?

About any medical conditions you have or have had, including: Liver problems. Diabetes. Porphyria (a group of genetic disorders that affect the skin or nervous system) Bleeding problems or blood clotting disorders. Vitamin K deficiency.

Can you throw away expired rifampin?

Throw away rifampin that is no longer needed or expired (out of date). Follow FDA guidelines on how to safely dispose of unused medicine.

Can you take rifampin while pregnant?

Talk to your health care provider about the risks and benefits of using rifampin during pregnancy. The Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents with HIV may include other recommendations on the use of rifampin during pregnancy.

Medical uses

Usage

Preparation

Treatment

Contraindications

• Rifampin is used with other medications to treat tuberculosis (TB; a serious infection that affects the lungs and sometimes other parts of the body). Rifampin is also used to treat some people who have Neisseria meningitidis (a type of bacteria that can cause a serious infection called meningitis) infections in their noses or throats. These people ...

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Risks

Prevention

Diagnosis