Rifadin

Generic name:rifampin (oral route) [ rif-AM-pin ]
Drug class:Rifamycin derivatives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 3, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Rifadin
• Rimactane

Available Dosage Forms:

• Capsule

Therapeutic Class: Antitubercular

Chemical Class: Rifamycin

Uses for Rifadin

Rifampin is used together with other medicines to treat tuberculosis (TB) in many different parts of the body. It is also used by patients who have a meningitis bacteria in their nose or throat who do not show symptoms of the infection to prevent the spread of the bacteria to other patients. Rifampin belongs to the class of medicines called antibiotics and works to kill or prevent the growth of bacteria. However, it will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using Rifadin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of rifampin in children.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of rifampin in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Artemether
• Atazanavir
• Bictegravir
• Boceprevir
• Cabotegravir
• Cobicistat
• Daclatasvir
• Darunavir
• Dasabuvir
• Delamanid
• Doravirine
• Elbasvir
• Elvitegravir
• Fosamprenavir
• Fostemsavir
• Glecaprevir
• Grazoprevir
• Isavuconazonium
• Lopinavir
• Lorlatinib
• Lurasidone
• Maraviroc
• Mavacamten
• Nelfinavir
• Nirmatrelvir