Rifampin
Rifampin Oral capsule
What is this medicine?
RIFAMPIN (RIF am pin) is an antibiotic. It is used to treat or prevent certain kinds of bacterial infections. It is used to treat or prevent tuberculosis (TB). It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
liver disease, including hepatitis
an unusual or allergic reaction to rifampin, rifabutin, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. For your therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine even if you feel better. Skipping doses may make the TB resistant to this medicine and other medicines. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
delavirdine
nevirapine
sirolimus
voriconazole
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, isoniazid
antifungal medicines like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole
atovaquone
chloramphenicol
cyclosporine
dapsone
female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills
halothane
medicines for blood pressure, other heart problems
medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
medicines for diabetes
medicines for pain
medicnes for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
medicines for sleep
medicines for the thyroid
medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin
probenecid
steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone
vitamin D
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. This medicine can cause serious liver problems. Make sure you understand the risks for liver problems and how to identify the symptoms. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or other health care provider.
Avoid alcoholic drinks while you are taking this medicine. Drinking alcohol during treatment with this medicine increases the risk of serious liver problems.
Birth control pills may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about using an extra method of birth control.
Antacids may reduce the absorption of this medicine. Doses of this medicine should be given at least 1 hour before taking antacids.
This medicine can color your urine, feces (stool), perspiration (sweat), tears, sputum, skin or saliva reddish-orange to reddish-brown. This color can last for as long as you take this medicine and is not a cause for alarm. This color in tears may permanently stain soft contact lenses. It is better not to wear soft contact lenses while you are taking this medicine.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
breathing problems
feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
fever or chills, mouth sores, or sore throat
pinpoint red spots on the skin
stomach pain
trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
unusual bleeding, bruising
unusually weak or tired
yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
diarrhea
dizziness
headache
loss of appetite
nausea, vomiting
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Protect from light and moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Rifampin Solution for injection
What is this medicine?
RIFAMPIN (RIF am pin) is an antibiotic. It is used to treat or prevent certain kinds of bacterial infections. It is used to treat or prevent tuberculosis (TB). It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
liver disease, including hepatitis
an unusual or allergic reaction to rifampin, rifabutin, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is usually given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.
If you get this medicine at home, you will be taught how to prepare and give this medicine. Use exactly as directed. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or healthcare provider to get one.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Tell your health care professional about all missed doses.
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
delavirdine
nevirapine
sirolimus
voriconazole
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, isoniazid
antifungal medicines like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole
atovaquone
chloramphenicol
cyclosporine
dapsone
female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills
halothane
medicines for blood pressure, other heart problems
medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
medicines for diabetes
medicines for pain
medicnes for seizures
medicines for sleep
medicines for the thyroid
medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin
probenecid
steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone
vitamin D
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. You may need blood work done while you are taking this medicine. This medicine can cause serious liver problems. Make sure you understand the risks for liver problems and how to identify the symptoms. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or other health care provider.
Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Birth control pills may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about using an extra method of birth control.
This medicine can color your urine, stool, sweat, tears, sputum, skin or saliva red, orange or brown. This is not a cause for alarm. However, soft contact lenses may be permanently stained.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
breathing problems
feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
fever or chills, mouth sores, or sore throat
pinpoint red spots on the skin
stomach pain
trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
unusual bleeding, bruising
unusually weak or tired
yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
diarrhea
dizziness
headache
loss of appetite
nausea, vomiting
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
If you are using this medicine at home, you will be instructed on how to store this medicine. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label.
Updated:  
March 21, 2017
Sources:  
U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert