Rifabutin
Description
Rifabutin is an antimycobacterial agent used to prevent or slow the spread of Mycobacterium avium complex disease (infection with severe symptoms) in patients with HIV. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients below 18 years of age unless prescribed by your physician since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Rifabutin
- Black or Tarry stools
- Chest pain
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Sore throat
- Muscle pain
- Eye pain
- Joint pain
- Pale skin
Uses of Rifabutin
What is it prescribed for?
- Mycobacterium avium Complex Prophylaxis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to rifabutin, or any other inactive ingredients present in the formulation.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Regular monitoring of kidney functions tests is necessary for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Diarrhea
Antibiotic therapy will cause an imbalance in the normal microbial flora of the large intestine, which may promote the growth of a bacteria called Clostridium difficile and you may experience severe diarrhea as a result. Report any such incidence to the doctor on priority and avoid usage of this combination medicine in these cases.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with severe liver disease due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Regular monitoring of liver functions tests is necessary for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Monitoring of Blood levels
Regular monitoring of the white blood cells, platelets, and liver enzymes are necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
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
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Live cholera vaccine
Isoniazid
Clarithromycin
Warfarin
Ritonavir
Disease interactions
Colitis
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with fatal and nonfatal ulcerative or hemorrhagic/ischemic colitis due to increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Tuberculosis
This medicine is not recommended for use as a monotherapy in patients with active tuberculosis due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. An alternative treatment option should be considered based on the clinical condition.
Thrombocytopenia
This medicine should be used with caution in patients since it may increase the risk of thrombocytopenia. Regular monitoring of the blood levels is necessary for such patients. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine exactly as instructed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than prescribed. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of any severe side effects. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by interfering with the certain processes required for cell growth and results in cell death.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Rifamycin derivatives
Schedule
Schedule H1
Rifabutin - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
DailyMed - RIFABUTIN- rifabutin capsule [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
Mycobutin - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
TGA eBS - Product and Consumer Medicine Information Licence [Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 26 Aug 2019
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.