Rifampicin

by Fedro

Active ingredients: Rifampicin, Rifampin

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About Rifampicin

Antituberculosis Preps

Uses

Adjunct in TB and certain infections due to related mycobacteria. Adjunct in multibacillary and paucibacillary leprosy. Brucellosis, legionnaire's disease, endocarditis and serious staphylococcal infections.

How to take it

Tuberculosis: Adults: 450-600 mg daily in a single dose 30 min before breakfast. Children: Up to 20 mg/kg daily; max 600 mg as a single dose. Multibacillary leprosy: Adults: 600 mg once-monthly, supervised. <35 kg: 450 mg. Multibacillary leprosy should be treated for at least 2 yrs. Paucibacillary leprosy: Adults: 600 mg once-monthly, supervised. <35 kg: 450 mg. Paucibacillary leprosy should be treated for 6 months. Brucellosis, legionnaire's disease, endocarditis and serious staphylococcal infections: Adults: In combination with other drugs, by oral or IV inf, 0.6-1.2 gm daily (in 2-4 divided doses). Meningococcal prophylaxis: Adults: 600 mg orally or IV twice daily for 2 days.

Side effects

Heartburn, epigastric distress, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore mouth. Rash, pruritus, urticaria. Eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia. Muscular weakness, pain in extremities. Visual disturbances, Haemoglobinuria, hematuria. Menstrual disturbances. Other blood dyscrasias, headache, dizziness, GI upset, purpura, pyrexia, chills, raised LFTs, secretions and soft contact lenses, skin reactions.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy: Risk cannot be ruled out. Lactation: Caution advised or effect undetermined. Contraindications: Previous hypersensitivity to any rifamycin, jaundice. Precautions: Not recommended for intermittent therapy, caution patients against intentional or accidental interruption of daily dosage regimen, since rare renal hypersensitivity reactions have been reported when therapy is resumed.

Advice

Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Contact prescriber if there is severe constant vomiting or diarrhoea, anorexia, joint pain, chills, fever, rash, flu-like symptoms, yellowing of skin or eyes, unusual bleeding or bruising or if no improvement occurs within 2 to 3 weeks. Complete full course of therapy even if you feel better. Avoid alcohol intake during therapy. Avoid wearing soft contact lenses during therapy because drug may permanently stain them. Patient who takes an oral contraceptive should use an additional form of birth control during therapy.

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Interactions with Rifampicin

Known to induce hepatic microsomal enzymes that metabolize a wide variety of drugs e.g. metoprolol, propranolol, quinidine, corticosteroids, contraceptives, oral anticoagulants, oral sulfonylureas. Anxiolytics, digoxin, oral hypoglycaemics, other antibacterials, anticonvulsants, narcotics, analgesics, azole antifungals, haloperidol, protease inhibitors, NNRTIs, calcium channel blockers, atovaquone, diuretics, immunosuppressants, antiarrhythmics, barbiturates, statins, theophylline, levothyroxine, TCADs, halothane, erectile dysfunction drugs, NSAIDs, antineoplastic agents, antacids, saquinavir/ritonavir, other drugs metabolised by CYP.

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Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

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