Rifampin Administration
This drug is best taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals, as advised by your doctor, or taken as directed by your doctor. If you have nausea, avoid taking antacids with rifampin since they will reduce its effectiveness. If you must take antacids, wait at least 1 hour after taking this medication.
If you find it difficult to swallow the capsules, open them and sprinkle them onto a spoonful of cool, soft applesauce or jelly. Consume the entire combination immediately. Make no provision for future usage.
If you’re using a liquid form, shake the bottle thoroughly before each dose. To precisely measure the specified dose, use medication-measuring equipment.
Rifampin is widely used in conjunction with other antibiotics to prevent or treat specific diseases (for example, latent/active tuberculosis and meningococcal illness).
Your dose, schedule, and treatment duration will vary based on the condition for which you are being treated. Take this drug at regular intervals or exactly as advised for the greatest results. Take this prescription at the same time(s) every day to help you remember.
Even if your symptoms go away after a few days, keep taking this medication until the complete advised dosage is gone. Stopping the drug too soon may allow germs to thrive, resulting in a recurrence of the infection.
Inform your doctor if your issue persists or worsens.
Adverse Effects
It is possible to experience upset stomach, heartburn, nausea, menstruation changes, or headache. Inform your doctor immediately if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
This medicine may produce color changes in urine, sweat, saliva, or tears (yellow, orange, red, or brown). This is a mild side effect that will fade once the drug is stopped. Teeth and contact lens staining, on the other hand, may be permanent.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you outweighs the risk of adverse effects. Many people who use this drug have no major adverse effects.
Rifampin can occasionally cause significant liver damage. Although it is occasionally important to treat certain infections entirely, combining it with other medications (such as isoniazid or pyrazinamide) may raise this risk.
Notify your doctor if you experience any of the following signs of liver disease: persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal discomfort, dark urine, or yellowing eyes/skin.
Notify your doctor right away if you experience any serious side effects, such as:
- Signs of kidney problems (such as increased urine output)
- Mental/mood changes (such as confusion or unusual behavior)
- Unusual tiredness
- Easy bruising/bleeding
- Small red spots on the skin
- Joint pain/swelling
- New or worsening shortness of breath
- Chest pain
This medicine may cause severe intestinal disease in rare cases owing to the bacteria C. difficile. This condition can develop during treatment or weeks to months after it has ended.
Inform your doctor immediately if you get persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, or blood/mucus in your stool. If you have these symptoms, avoid taking anti-diarrhea or opioid medications because they may aggravate them.
Long-term or recurrent use of this drug may result in oral thrush or a new yeast infection (oral/vaginal fungal infection). If you discover white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or any other new symptoms, consult your doctor.
It is uncommon for this medicine to cause a severe allergic reaction. However, get medical attention immediately if you detect any signs of a significant allergic reaction:
- Persistent fever
- New or worsening lymph node swelling
- Rash
- Itching/swelling (particularly of the face/tongue/throat)
- Severe dizziness
- Difficulty breathing
This is not an exhaustive list of potential negative effects. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any other side effects not listed above.
Rifampin Precautions
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to rifampin or if you have any other allergies before taking it. Inactive chemicals in this product may cause allergic reactions or other complications. For more information, consult your pharmacist.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, especially if you have diabetes, liver issues (such as hepatitis), HIV infection, or a history of alcohol use/abuse.
Alcohol consumption may increase the risk of liver disease. While using this medication, avoid drinking alcoholic beverages.
Rifampin may impair the effectiveness of live bacterial vaccinations (such as the typhoid vaccine). Before receiving any immunizations or vaccinations, inform your doctor that you are taking rifampin.
Inform your doctor or dentist about all of the products you consume before undergoing surgery (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
This drug should be taken only when necessary during pregnancy. When this medication is taken in the latter few weeks of pregnancy, the risk of both mother and newborn bleeding increases; call your doctor immediately if you observe any bleeding in your infant. Consult your doctor about the dangers and advantages.
Rifampin is excreted in breast milk but is unlikely to damage a nursing newborn. Before breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
Drug interactions can alter how your prescriptions operate or increase your risk of major adverse effects.
This guide does not include every conceivable medication interaction. Maintain a list of all the products you use (including prescription and nonprescription medicines and herbal supplements) and discuss it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or modify the dosage of any medications without first consulting your doctor.
What Should I Do About a Rifampin Overdose?
Call 911 if someone has overdosed and is experiencing serious symptoms like passing out or difficulty breathing. Otherwise, contact a poison control center immediately.
Residents in the United States can contact their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
Residents of Canada can contact a provincial poison control center. Overdose can cause swelling of the face and eyes, itching throughout the body, orange/red coloring of the skin and eyes, nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, increasing weariness, and fainting.
Do Not Give Rifampin to Anybody Else
Before starting this medicine and during therapy, laboratory or medical tests (such as liver/kidney function, bilirubin, and complete blood count) may be performed to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
What Should I Do if I Miss a Dose of Rifampin?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If the next dose is approaching, skip the missing dose. Take your next dose at your usual time. To catch up, do not increase the dose.
If you take this medication regularly (such as twice a week) and miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to request a new dosing plan.
Should I Speak with a Lawyer If I’ve Been Injured as a Result of Taking Rifampin?
Consult your doctor if you’ve had major health concerns after taking rifampin. You may also want to speak with an expert class action attorney who can protect your legal rights and obtain compensation for your injuries.
