What is Rifampin: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

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.

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Oral routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.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

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).

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.

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.