What is Priftin: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Priftin overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Priftin

Generic Names:

  • Priftin

Uses:

  • Treats active or latent tuberculosis (TB).

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antitubercular

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Priftin used for?

Priftin is an antibiotic medication that is used by both adults and children older than 12 years old for the treatment of tuberculosis. When taken, Priftin destroys the bacteria responsible for causing tuberculosis within the lungs and other parts of the body. This medication is available as an oral tablet.

What form(s) does Priftin come in

  • Tablet

What are common Priftin doses?

  • Tablet 150MG

How to take Priftin

  • If you take this medicine 2 times each week, wait at least 3 days (72 hours) between each dose.

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

  • Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • Swallow the tablet whole. If you cannot swallow it whole, you may crush and add it to a small amount of semi-solid food. Take all of it right away and do not store for later use.

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

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • 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.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • If you take this medicine 2 times each week, wait at least 3 days (72 hours) between each dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

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

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

  • Swallow the tablet whole. If you cannot swallow it whole, you may crush and add it to a small amount of semi-solid food. Take all of it right away and do not store for later use.

  • 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.

What to do if you miss a dose of Priftin

Priftin contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to rifapentine, rifampin, rifabutin, or rifamycin.

Priftin warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, HIV infection, or porphyria (enzyme problem).

  • This medicine may cause the following problems: Liver problemsSerious skin reactions, including drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which can damage organs, including the liver, kidneys, or heartWorsening of porphyria

  • This medicine may cause your skin, teeth, or tongue to turn a reddish-orange color. Your tears, saliva, urine, or bowel movements may also become reddish-orange. Your contact lenses or dentures could become permanently discolored.

  • This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Priftin interactions

  • There are many other drugs that can interact with rifapentine. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are using, especially the following: Clofibrate, cyclosporine, diazepam, digoxin, haloperidol, phenobarbital, sildenafil, tacrolimus, theophyllineBirth control pills (including ethinyl estradiol, levonorgestrel, progestin)Blood pressure medicine (including beta blockers, calcium channel blockers)Blood thinner (including warfarin)Medicine for heart rhythm problems (including disopyramide, mexiletine, quinidine, tocainide)Medicine to treat depression (including TCAs)Medicine to treat HIV infectionMedicine to treat infection (including chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, dapsone, doxycycline, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, quinine)Medicine to treat seizures (including phenytoin)Narcotic pain medicine (including methadone)Oral diabetes medicine (including glipizide, glyburide)Steroid medicineThyroid medicine (including levothyroxine)

  • Birth control pills may not work properly if you take them while you are using rifapentine. Use a non-hormonal form of birth control (including condoms, spermicide) while you are using rifapentine. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

  • This medicine may cause your skin, teeth, or tongue to turn a reddish-orange color. Your tears, saliva, urine, or bowel movements may also become reddish-orange. Your contact lenses or dentures could become permanently discolored.

  • This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.

  • 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.

Priftin side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Diarrhea that may contain blood

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

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

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

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

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Coughing or spitting up blood

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Back pain

  • Headache

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