What is Rifadin: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan 13, 2021  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Rifadin overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifadin IV Novaplus, Rifadin IV

Generic Names:

  • Rifampin

Uses:

  • Treats tuberculosis (TB). It is also used by patients who have a meningitis bacteria in their nose or throat who do not show symptoms of the infection. This medicine is an antibiotic., Treats tuberculosis (TB) and other types of infections. It is also used by patients who have a meningitis bacteria in their nose or throat who do not show symptoms of the infection. This medicine is an antibiotic.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antitubercular, Antitubercular

Forms:

  • Injectable, Capsule, Liquid, Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth, By injection

What is Rifadin used for?

Rifadin is an antibiotic used to treat and prevent bacterial infections such as tuberculosis. It works to stop the bacteria from multiplying and spreading in the body.

What form(s) does Rifadin come in

  • Injectable

  • Capsule

  • Liquid

  • Tablet

What are common Rifadin doses?

  • Solution Reconstituted 600MG

Common Rifadin prescriptions

  • Rifadin
    150mg capsule

  • Rifadin
    300mg capsule

  • Rifadin
    600mg solution reconstituted

How to take Rifadin

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Take this medicine on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, and with a full of glass of water. It is important to take rifampin on a regular schedule.

  • Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. Shake the oral liquid well before using.

  • Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. You may store the mixed oral liquid at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 4 weeks.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. You may store the mixed oral liquid at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 4 weeks.

  • Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. Shake the oral liquid well before using.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Take this medicine on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, and with a full of glass of water. It is important to take rifampin on a regular schedule.

  • Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Your doctor will only give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then you will be switched to an oral medicine that works the same way. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Your doctor will only give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then you will be switched to an oral medicine that works the same way. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

What to do if you miss a dose of Rifadin

  • Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Oral routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Rifadin contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to rifampin, or if you have meningococcal disease (including infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord and bloodstream).

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to rifampin, or if you have meningococcal disease (including infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord and bloodstream).

Rifadin warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, adrenal gland problems, blood clotting problems, vitamin K deficiency, or porphyria (an enzyme problem). Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Liver problemsSerious skin reactionsDrug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which can damage organs, including the liver, kidney, or heartBleeding problems

  • This medicine may turn your urine, saliva, sweat, teeth, and tears yellow, orange, red, or brown. This is normal. This side effect could stain contact lenses.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Numbness, pain, or tingling in your arms or legs.

  • Shortness of breath or troubled breathing.

  • Unsteadiness or weakness.

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, adrenal gland problems, blood clotting problems, vitamin K deficiency, or porphyria (an enzyme problem). Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Liver problemsSerious skin reactionsDrug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which can damage organs, including the liver, kidney, or heartBleeding problems

  • This medicine may turn your urine, saliva, sweat, teeth, and tears yellow, orange, red, or brown. This is normal. This side effect could stain contact lenses.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.

  • Numbness, pain, or tingling in your arms or legs.

  • Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.

  • Shortness of breath or troubled breathing.

  • Unsteadiness or weakness.

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Rifadin interactions

  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

  • If you are taking itraconazole, do not take rifampin 2 weeks before and during itraconazole treatment.

  • Do not receive this medicine if you also take medicine to treat HIV/AIDS, including atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, ritonavir, ritonavir-boosted saquinavir, saquinavir, and tipranavir.

  • You should not receive this medicine together with praziquantel. If you need to take praziquantel, you should stop receiving rifampin 4 weeks before starting praziquantel. You may restart rifampin one day after the last dose of praziquantel.

  • Some medicines can affect how rifampin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Atovaquone, clofibrate, cyclosporine, diazepam, digitoxin, digoxin, efavirenz, enalapril, haloperidol, halothane, irinotecan, levothyroxine, methadone, ondansetron, probenecid, quinine, simvastatin, sulfapyridine, sulfasalazine, tacrolimus, tamoxifen, theophylline, toremifene, zidovudine, zolpidem, zopicloneBirth control pillsBlood pressure medicine (including beta blockers, calcium channel blockers)Blood thinner (including warfarin)Medicine for heart rhythm problems (including disopyramide, mexiletine, propafenone, quinidine, tocainide)Medicine for hepatitis C (including daclatasvir, simeprevir, sofosbuvir, telaprevir)Medicine for seizures (including phenytoin)Medicine to treat depression (including SSRI, TCA)Medicine to treat infections (including cefazolin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, cotrimoxazole, dapsone, doxycycline, fluconazole, isoniazid, itraconazole, ketoconazole, moxifloxacin, pefloxacin, telithromycin)Narcotic pain reliever (including morphine, oxycodone)Oral diabetes medicine (including glipizide, glyburide, rosiglitazone)Steroid medicine

  • If you use an antacid, take it at least 1 hour after you receive rifampin.

  • Do not use this medicine if you also take medicine to treat HIV/AIDS, including atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, ritonavir, ritonavir-boosted saquinavir, saquinavir, and tipranavir.

  • Do not use this medicine together with praziquantel. If you need to take praziquantel, you should stop using rifampin 4 weeks before starting praziquantel. You may restart rifampin one day after the last dose of praziquantel.

  • Some medicines can affect how rifampin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Atovaquone, clofibrate, cyclosporine, diazepam, digitoxin, digoxin, efavirenz, enalapril, haloperidol, halothane, irinotecan, levothyroxine, methadone, ondansetron, probenecid, quinine, simvastatin, sulfapyridine, sulfasalazine, tacrolimus, tamoxifen, theophylline, toremifene, zidovudine, zolpidem, zopicloneBirth control pillsBlood pressure medicine (including beta blockers, calcium channel blockers)Blood thinner (including warfarin)Medicine for heart rhythm problems (including disopyramide, mexiletine, propafenone, quinidine, tocainide)Medicine for hepatitis C (including daclatasvir, simeprevir, sofosbuvir, telaprevir)Medicine for seizures (including phenytoin)Medicine to treat depression (including SSRI, TCA)Medicine to treat infections (including cefazolin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, cotrimoxazole, dapsone, doxycycline, fluconazole, isoniazid, ketoconazole, moxifloxacin, pefloxacin, telithromycin)Narcotic pain reliever (including morphine, oxycodone)Oral diabetes medicine (including glipizide, glyburide, rosiglitazone)Steroid medicine (including prednisolone)

  • If you use an antacid, take it at least 1 hour after you use rifampin.

  • If you are taking itraconazole, do not use rifampin 2 weeks before and during itraconazole treatment.

  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Rifadin side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Numbness, pain, or tingling in your arms or legs

  • Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

  • Trouble breathing, coughing up blood, nosebleed

  • Shortness of breath or troubled breathing.

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Unsteadiness or weakness.

  • Joint pain or swelling

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Blurred vision

  • Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Blurred vision

  • Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches

  • Joint pain or swelling

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

  • Unsteadiness or weakness.

  • Trouble breathing, coughing up blood, nosebleed

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

  • Numbness, pain, or tingling in your arms or legs

  • Shortness of breath or troubled breathing.

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Mild skin rash.

  • Headache, dizziness

  • Headache.

  • Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain

  • Muscle or joint pain.

  • Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain

  • Muscle or joint pain.

  • Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed

  • Headache, dizziness

  • Mild skin rash.