rifampin (oral/injection)

What is the most important information I should know about rifampin?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact, and some drugs should not be used together.

What is rifampin?

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 this medicine will not treat an active meningitis infection.

Rifampin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using rifampin?

Many drugs can interact and cause dangerous effects. Some drugs should not be used together with rifampin. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use: atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, praziquantel, ritonavir, saquinavir, or tipranavir.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• diabetes;
• liver disease;
• bleeding problems; or
• porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).

How should I use rifampin?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Rifampin oral is taken by mouth. Rifampin injection is given as an infusion into a vein.

A healthcare provider will give you rifampin injection. Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when rifampin is injected.

Rifampin may cause temporary discoloration of your teeth, sweat, urine, saliva, and tears (a yellow, orange, red, or brown color). This side effect is usually not harmful. However, soft contact lenses may be permanently stained if you wear them while using rifampin.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Rifampin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

While using rifampin, you may need frequent blood tests.

This medicine may affect a drug-screening urine test and you may have false results. Tell the laboratory staff that you use rifampin.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose can cause worsening symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, itching, headache, lack of energy leading to loss of consciousness, and dark or discolored skin, saliva, tears, urine, or stools.

What should I avoid while using rifampin?

Avoid wearing contact lenses. Rifampin may discolor your tears, which could permanently stain soft contact lenses.

What are the possible side effects of rifampin?

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• chest pain, cough, shortness of breath;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• flu symptoms --fever, chills, body aches, headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting; or
• liver problems --upper stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects may include:

• red discoloration of your teeth, sweat, urine, saliva, and tears;
• heartburn, gas, upset stomach, loss of appetite;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• fever;
• headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness;
• muscle weakness, pain in your arms or legs;
• problems with balance or muscle movement;
• numbness; or
• confusion, changes in behavior, trouble concentrating.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect rifampin?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Rifampin can harm your liver, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, tuberculosis, depression, birth control, hormone replacement, high cholesterol, heart problems, high blood pressure, seizures, pain, or arthritis (including Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, or Aleve).

Many drugs can affect rifampin, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about rifampin.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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