Why is this medicine 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)
- Neisseria meningitidis (a type of bacteria that can cause a serious infection called meningitis) infections in their noses or throats to prevent infecting other people
Rifampin is in a class of medications called antimycobacterials. It works by killing the bacteria that cause infection.
Antibiotics such as rifampin will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
Are there other uses for this medicine?
Rifampin is also sometimes used to treat infections caused by other types of bacteria and to prevent infection in people who have been in close contact with a person who has certain serious bacterial infections. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
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. Rifampin is taken once or twice daily, depending on the condition being treated. The length of your treatment also depends on the condition being treated.
Take rifampin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you cannot swallow the capsules. Your pharmacist can prepare a liquid for you to take instead.
If you are taking rifampin to treat tuberculosis, your doctor may tell you to take rifampin for several months or longer. Continue to take rifampin until you finish the prescription even if you feel better, and be careful not to miss doses. 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 special precautions should I follow?
Before taking rifampin,
- tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
- you should know that some medications should not be taken with rifampin. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with rifampin. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting rifampin with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking rifampin, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
- you should know that rifampin may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, and injections). You will need to use another method of contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking rifampin. Talk to your doctor about other ways to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medication.
- you should know that if you are taking antacids, take them at least 1 hour after taking rifampin.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, porphyria (condition in which certain natural substances build up in the body and may cause stomach pain, changes in thinking and behavior, or other symptoms), any condition that affects your adrenal gland (small gland next to the kidney that produces important natural substances) or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking rifampin, call your doctor.
- tell your doctor if you wear soft contact lenses. Rifampin may cause permanent red stains on your contact lenses if you wear them during your treatment with rifampin.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
Do not miss doses of rifampin. Missing doses may increase the risk that you will experience serious side effects. If you do miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and call your doctor. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What should I do in case of overdose?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help . If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- itching
- headache
- loss of consciousness
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- reddish brown discoloration of the skin, saliva, urine, feces, sweat, and tears
- tenderness in the upper right part of the stomach
- swelling of the eyes or face
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- seizures
What side effects can this medicine cause?
Rifampin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- temporary discoloration (yellow, reddish-orange, or brown color) of your skin, teeth, saliva, urine, stool, sweat, and tears)
- headache, fever, drowsiness, fatigue, lack of coordination, dizziness, changes in behavior, muscle weakness, difficulty concentrating, confusion, numbness, pain in arms, hands, feet or legs
- itching, flushing
- heartburn, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas
- painful or irregular menstrual periods
- vision changes
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment
- rash; hives; fever; chills; swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty swallowing or breathing; shortness of breath; wheezing; swollen lymph nodes; sore throat; pink eye; flu- like symptoms; unusual bleeding or bruising; or joint swelling or pain
- nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes
Rifampin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
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).
Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to rifampin.
Before having any laboratory test, including drug screening tests, tell the laboratory personnel that you are taking rifampin. Rifampin may cause the results of certain drug screening tests to be positive even though you have not taken the drugs.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.