Back to Antitubercular Agents
Name: Rifampin
Pregnancy Category C
Drug classes
- Antituberculous drug ("first-line")
- Antibiotic
Mechanisms of action
Inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity in susceptible bacterial cells.
Indications
- Treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in conjunction with at least one other effective antituberculous drug
- Neisseria meningitidis carriers, for asymptomatic carriers to eliminate meningococci from nasopharynx; not for treatment of meningitis
- Unlabeled uses: infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis, usually in combination therapy; gram-negative bacteremia in infancy; Legionella (Legionella pneumophilia), not responsive to erythromycin; leprosy (in combination with dapsone); prophylaxis of meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae
Contraindications/cautions
- Contraindicated in the presence of allergy to any rifamycin, acute hepatic disease, nursing a baby.
- Use caution in pregnancy (teratogenic effects have been reported in preclinical studies; safest antituberculous regimen for use in pregnancy is considered to be rifampin, isoniazid, and ethambutol).
Adverse effects
- CNS: Headache, drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, inability to concentrate, mental confusion, generalized numbness, ataxia, muscle weakness, visual disturbances, exudative conjunctivitis
- GI: Heartburn, epigastric distress, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, gas, cramps, diarrhea, pseudomembranous colitis, pancreatitis, elevations of liver enzymes, hepatitis
- Hematologic: Eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, transient leukopenia, hemolytic anemia, decreased hemoglobin, hemolysis
- GU: Hemoglobinuria, hematuria, renal insufficiency, acute renal failure, menstrual disturbances
- Dermatologic: Rash, pruritus, urticaria, pemphigoid reaction, flushing, reddish-orange discoloration of body fluids-tears, saliva, urine, sweat, sputum
- Other: Pain in extremities, osteomalacia, myopathy, fever, "flulike" syndrome
Are you a Doctor, Pharmacist, PA or a Nurse?
Join the Doctors Lounge online medical community
-
Editorial activities: Publish, peer review, edit online articles.
-
Ask a Doctor Teams: Respond to patient questions and discuss challenging presentations with other members.
Doctors Lounge Membership Application
Tools & Services:
Follow us on Twitter |
RSS News |
Newsletter |
Contact us