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Rifampicin

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Description

Rifampicin is an antibiotic that is used to treat tuberculosis (a bacterial infection that affects your lungs) and meningitis (swelling of the protective layers of your brain and spinal cord) caused by bacteria. Rifampicin prevents the bacteria from growing, thus it helps in treating the infection. It is available on prescription in tablet, capsule, syrup, injection and suspension form. Rifampicin might cause some side effects like nausea, vomiting, headache, heartburn, etc., that subside with time. Avoid consuming alcohol while you are on treatment with this medicine because it may cause excessive drowsiness. Inform your doctor if any of the side effects become severe or persist for a long time. Rifampicin may cause discolouration (yellow, orange, red, brown) of your teeth, urine, sweat, sputum, and tears. Soft contact lenses may be permanently stained. This is normal and not harmful. Rifampicin should be taken on an empty stomach or 2 hours after the meal as the food decreases its absorption. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of this medicine based on the severity and location of the infection. Ensure to complete the entire course and do not stop taking it on your own. Stopping it early may make the infection reoccur and be difficult to treat. Rifampicin should be used with caution if you have liver and stomach/intestinal disease. Inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking since a few may interact with or be impacted by this medication. If you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
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Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Rifampicin

Heart burn

Headache

Yellow colored eyes or skin

Nausea and Vomiting

Increased menstrual flow

Bloating

Dark coloured urine

Dizziness

Uses of Rifampicin

What is it prescribed for?

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a contagious infection that mainly affects your lungs. It can also spread to other parts of your body, such as the brain and spine. Rifampicin is used in the treatment of tuberculosis. It kills as well as prevents the activity of the bacteria. Thus, it helps in the treatment of the infection.

Meningococcal Meningitis

Meningococcal meningitis is an infection that affects your brain and spinal cord. Rifampicin prevents the growth of bacteria and helps in the treatment of meningococcal meningitis.

Leprosy

Leprosy is a skin disease that changes colour and causes lumps on the skin. Rifampicin is used alone or in combination with other medicines in the treatment of leprosy.
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action

    Rifampicin starts to show its action in 1-3 hours and varies depending on the dosage form. However, you may start feeling well in few days to weeks.

  • Duration of effect

    The effect of Rifampicin lasts for an average duration of 15 hours.

  • Safe with alcohol?

    Avoid drinking alcohol while on treatment with Rifampicin as it may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, flushing, increased heartbeat, nausea, thirst, etc.

  • Is it habit forming?

    No habit forming tendencies were reported for Rifampicin.

  • Usage in pregnancy?

    Rifampicin is not recommended for use if you are pregnant. It may cause affect tyour foetus; hence, consult your doctor before using it.

  • Usage while breast-feeding?

    Rifampicin passes into breastmilk. Thus, it is not recommended for use if you are breastfeeding.

Allergy

If you have a known allergy to Rifampicin, avoid this medication. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as a skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

Antiviral medications

Rifampicin is not recommended for use if you are receiving antiviral therapy. This medicine can decrease the effectiveness of antiviral medicines and may lead to viral resistance.

Severe liver impairment

Rifampicin should be used with caution if you have any liver conditions. This medicine is metabolised in your liver, and improper liver function can lead to the accumulation of this medicine in your body. This may worsen your condition.

Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Rifampicin is not recommended for use if you are pregnant. It may cause affect tyour foetus; hence, consult your doctor before using it.

Breast-feeding

Rifampicin passes into breastmilk. Thus, it is not recommended for use if you are breastfeeding.

General warnings

Liver injury

Rifampicin may cause liver injury, therefore should be used with caution. The liver function tests should be performed before starting the treatment.

Diabetes

Rifampicin should be used with caution if you have diabetes (a condition in which the blood sugar level increases). This medicine may alter your blood sugar levels and affect the management of diabetes.

Drug-resistance

Usage of Rifampicin without sufficient proof or suspicion of a bacterial infection should be avoided. Irrational dosing might fail in providing the benefits and even cause toxicity. It may also increase the risk of the development of bacteria that are drug-resistant.

Kidney impairment

Rifampicin should be used with caution if you have any medical conditions affecting your kidneys. This medicine is metabolised in your liver and excreted through urine. Any kidney dysfunction can lead to its accumulation in your body. This may worsen your condition.

Use in children

Rifampicin is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 15 years of age due to the lack of safety and efficacy of its use.

Severe bleeding

Rifampicin may cause bleeding. Vitamin K supplements may be prescribed by your doctor to prevent bleeding.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Rifampicin, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical treatment in case you suspect an overdose of Rifampicin.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Avoid drinking alcohol while on treatment with Rifampicin as it may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, flushing, increased heartbeat, nausea, thirst, etc.

Interaction with Medicine

Clopidogrel

Propranolol

Warfarin

Atorvastatin

Disease interactions

Colitis

Rifampicin should be used with caution if you have colitis [swelling of the colon (a part of the intestine)]. This medication may cause the infection to flare up, thus can worsen your condition.

Hematopoietic disturbances

Hematopoietic disturbances are disorders that primarily affect the blood & blood-forming organs like bone marrow. Take Rifampicin with extreme caution as it may worsen your condition.

Porphyria

Porphyria is a blood disorder that is caused due to build-up of certain chemicals related to red blood cell proteins. Take Rifampicin with extreme caution as it may worsen your condition.

Food interactions

Rifampicin should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal because food decreases the absorption of this medicine.

Lab interactions

Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Take Rifampicin as advised by your doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. It is advised to take this medicine at the same time every day. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed to prevent the spread of infection. Consult your doctor if you experience any side effects. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor. It may cause discolouration (yellow, orange, red, brown) of your teeth, urine, sweat, sputum, and tears. Soft contact lenses may be permanently stained. This is normal and not harmful. This medicine may reduce the effects of oral contraceptives (medicines to prevent an unwanted pregnancy). Therefore, use effective preventive measures to avoid unwanted pregnancy.

Miscelleneous

To be taken before food

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works

Rifampicin acts by blocking the action of bacterial components, which is necessary for tuberculosis bacteria to produce vital proteins and multiply.

Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Antituberculosis agents

Schedule

Schedule H

Drugs, H., 2021. Rifampin: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 31 August 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682403.html>

Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 24 August 2021].

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/050420s073,050627s012lbl.pdf>

Allen, H., 2021. Rifampicin. [online] Patient.info. Available at: <o/medicine/rifampicin-for-infection-rifadin-rimactane> [Accessed 24 August 2021].

https://patient.inf

Pharmacology, C., 2021. Patient Information Leaflet - Rifampicin - My Medicines. [online] Mymedicines.nz. Available at: < [Accessed 24 August 2021].

https://www.mymedicines.nz/home/sheet/F7P7ZNVU7hw=?format=inline>
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Information on this page was last updated on 15 Sep 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.