Rifampicin

Rifampicin is an antibiotic, used in the treatment of all forms of tuberculosis, an infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs and in some cases other parts of the body. It may be used alone or in combination with other medicines to fight serious infections. Rifampicin may also be used alongside other medicines for the treatment of leprosy. This medicine may also be given to people who are carriers (people who are infected, yet do not show any signs and symptoms of infection). Rifampicin should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before a meal or 2 hours after a meal. It should be taken in the dose and duration as advised by the doctor. It is better to take it at the same time each day to get the most benefit and you should keep on taking this medicine for as long as you are prescribed. Stopping it early may make the infection to come back and harder to treat. Some people may develop side effects like low blood platelets, headache, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, and fever. These side effects are usually temporary and go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if these side effects bother you or will not go away. Your urine, tears and other secretions may become orange-red in color due to Rifampicin. You should avoid using contact lenses since they may become discolored. Before starting treatment with this medicine, you should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or suffering from any liver, kidney or heart problems or if you are allergic to any medicine. You may be regularly monitored with blood tests for liver function tests while using this medicine. 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.

• Tuberculosis (TB)

Rifampicin suppresses initiation of chain formation for RNA synthesis in susceptible bacteria by binding to the beta subunit of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, thus blocking RNA transcription.

Adult Dose: Oral Tuberculosis Adult: 10 mg/kg/day or 2-3 times/wk. Max: 600 mg/day. 50 kg: 600 mg daily. Leprosy 600 mg once mthly. Prophylaxis against meningococcal meningitis 600 mg twice daily for 2 days. Prophylaxis against meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae 600 mg/day for 4 days. Hepatic impairment: Max: 8 mg/kg/day. Child Dose: Oral Tuberculosis 10–20 mg/kg, max 600 mg for TB q24h With directly observed biweekly therapy, dosage is still 10–20 mg/kg/dose (max 600 mg) twice weekly 20 mg/kg/day for 2 days for meningococcus prophylaxis, q12h

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Do not chew, crush or break it. Rifampicin is to be taken empty stomach.

If you miss a dose of Rifampicin, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Common: • Low blood platelets • Headache • Dizziness • Vomiting • Abnormal liver function tests • Nausea • Fever • Chills

[UNSAFE] Rifampicin may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive. You may feel dizzy or faint, have problems with vision or have other side effects that could affect your ability to drive. 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.

Hypersensitivity to rifampicin or other rifamycins. Patient w/ jaundice. Concurrent use w/ saquinavir/ritonavir therapy.

May accelerate the metabolism and reduce the effect of drugs that are metabolised by CYP450 enzymes (e.g. quinidine, phenytoin, theophylline). Decreased concentrations of atovaquone and increased concentrations of rifampicin when taken concomitantly. Concurrent use of ketoconazole and rifampicin may result in decreased serum concentrations of both drugs. May decrease serum concentrations of enalaprilat. Reduced absorption by antacids. Increased risk of hepatotoxicity w/ halothane or isoniazid. Potentially Fatal: Increased potential for hepatotoxicity when taken concomitantly w/ saquinavir/ritonavir combination.

[UNSAFE] It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Rifampicin.

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] Rifampicin may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Rifampicin is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.

[CAUTION] Rifampicin should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Rifampicin may be needed. Please consult your doctor. [CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] There is limited information available on the use of Rifampicin in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.

My daughter is given tb medicine even though she is not infected taking these medicine will cause tb??? Hello, TB medicines are given only when there is indication of tuberculosis. They are for treating tuberculosis. Though took vaccines in childhood, the test for TB came positive. Was advised to undergo treatment.physically absolute fit and healthy, is it advisable to take treatment? If sputum is positive for Tb , treatment is absolutely essential. Read more at www.arohealth.com/tuberculosis Extra pulmonary tuberculosis mdr tb for spinal card treatment This needs to be examined and treated in the clinic Whats r Various pathological test for me tuberculosis???? Dear PATIENT various tests which you use for MDR Tuberculosis are: Genexpert test which basically detects the DNA of TB bacteria, microarrays, Phage assyas etc. Sir my aunt has lymph node tuberculosis she had all the TB medicine course completely but no cure plzz prescribe her effective ayurvadic medice of lymph node tuberculosis Kindly send your reports on E-mail at : Fluid in lungs, in fluid sample tuberculosis positive any solution? Sir if TB is positive the best treatment is to take Anti Tuberculosis Treatment (ATT) from GOVT authorised ATT centres. But you can also add homeopathy for improvement in general health. I'm having chest pain from the last four month I have doubt in tuberculosis How can I know that I have tb Get chest X Ray done Doctor asked me to do TB GOLD test. But there is no lab test on 1mg with so name. Finally I searched for tuberculosis test and I found two test. 1 is Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other 1 is Mycobacterium tuberculosis sputum. Kindly tell me which test is to be selected and proceeded further. Please follow your doctors advise as he has clinical examination data with him. He can advise you for place where you can do TB gold