Rifampicin
Information about Rifampicin
Rifampicin uses
Rifampicin is used in the treatment of tuberculosis and leprosy.
How rifampicin works
Rifampicin is an antibiotic. It works by inactivating a bacterial enzyme (RNA-polymerase) which is required by bacteria to make essential proteins and to reproduce.
Common side effects of rifampicin
Low blood platelets, Dizziness, Vomiting, Nausea, Fever, Abdominal pain, Skin rash, Hemolytic anemia, Acute renal failure, Hepatitis (viral infection of liver), Pseudomembranous colitis, Pseudoadrenal crisis, Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Drug allergy, Headache, Chills, Paradoxical reactions, Increased aspartate aminotransferase, Increased alanine aminotransferase, Increased bilirubin in the blood, Decreased white blood cell count (lymphocytes), Diarrhea, Cutaneous reactions, Renal insufficiency, Anaphylactic reaction, Psychotic disorder, Muscle damage, Agranulocytosis (deficiency of granulocytes in the blood), Disseminated intravascular coagulation, Blood in urine
Available Medicine for Rifampicin
Expert advice for Rifampicin
- Your doctor has prescribed Rifampicin to cure your infection and improve symptoms.
- It is best taken on an empty stomach. If you get an upset stomach, try taking it with small portions of food.
- Your urine, tears and other secretions may become orange-red in colour. Avoid using contact lenses since they may become discolored.
- Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking as Rifampicin can interact with many medicines.
- Avoid taking hormone-based birth control methods as Rifampicin may decrease their effectiveness.
- Tell your doctor immediately if you experience unusual tiredness or loss of appetite, fever or chills.
Frequently asked questions for Rifampicin
Rifampicin
Q. Is rifampin a penicillin/amoxicillin/sulfa drug?
No. Rifampin is an antibiotic commonly used in the treatment of tuberculosis and leprosy. It has a structure and mechanism of action different from penicillin or amoxicillin (amoxicillin belongs to the class of penicillin antibiotics). The chemical structure and mechanism of action of rifampin is different from sulfa drugs
Q. Is rifampin bacteriostatic or bactericidal?
Rifampin is a bactericidal drug. It acts by blocking the activity of a bacterial enzyme called DNA-dependent RNA polymerase which essential for important life processes in the bacteria, thereby killing the bacteria
Q. Is rifampin an inducer or inhibitor?
Rifampin is an inducer (increases activity) of an important liver enzyme system that is responsible for the final processing and elimination of several drugs from the body