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- $Unique_ID{BRK03323}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{rifampin}
- $Subject{Rifadin Marion Merrell Dow Rimactane Ciba Antibiotic rifampin
- tuberculosis meningococcal meningitis bacteria}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- rifampin
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Rifadin (Marion Merrell Dow)
- Rimactane (Ciba)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Antibiotic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- rifampin
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Capsules (150 mg and 300 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Rifampin should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed,
- light-resistant container.
-
- USES
-
- Rifampin is an antibiotic that is used to treat tuberculosis and to
- prevent meningococcal meningitis. Rifampin works by preventing the growth and
- multiplication of susceptible bacteria. Rifampin, however, is not effective
- against viruses, parasites, or fungi.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- Rifampin should be taken with a full glass of water on an empty stomach
- one hour before or two hours after a meal. If this medication causes stomach
- irritation, however, check with your doctor to see if you can take it with
- food.
- Try not to miss any doses of this medication. If you do miss a dose,
- take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for your
- next dose. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to
- your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose.
- Continue to take this medication for the entire time prescribed by your
- doctor (which may be months to years), even if the symptoms disappear before
- the end of that period. If you stop taking the drug too soon, resistant
- bacteria will continue to grow, and your infection could recur.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, gas, headache, heartburn, loss of
- appetite, nausea, stomach irritation, or vomiting. These side effects should
- disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
- If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
- sitting or reclining position.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- confusion, difficult or painful urination, fatigue, fever, flushing, itching,
- muscle weakness, numbness, skin rash, uncoordinated movements, visual
- disturbances, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. Also, if your symptoms of
- infection seem to be worsening rather than improving, tell your doctor.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Rifampin interacts with several other types of medications:
- 1. Concurrent use with paminosalicylic acid may decrease the blood levels
- and effectiveness of rifampin.
- 2. Rifampin can decrease the blood levels and effectiveness of
- metoprolol, propranolol, verapamil, aminophylline, theophylline,
- oxtriphylline, quinidine, adrenocorticosteroids (cortisone-like medicines),
- progestins, clofibrate, methadone, oral anticoagulants (blood thinners, such
- as warfarin), oral antidiabetic medicines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine
- tranquilizers, dapsone, digitoxin, and trimethoprim.
- 3. Concurrent use of rifampin with alcohol or isoniazid can lead to an
- increased risk of liver damage.
- 4. Rifampin may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives (birth
- control pills), and pregnancy could result. You should use a different or
- additional form of birth control while taking rifampin. Discuss this with
- your doctor.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to rifampin.
- * Before starting to take this medication, be sure to tell your doctor if
- you have a history of alcoholism or liver disease.
- * Rifampin has been prescribed for your current infection only. Another
- infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a different
- medicine. You should not give your medicine to other people or use it for
- other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so.
- * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
- activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
- potentially dangerous machinery.
- * Rifampin can cause reddish-orange to reddish-brown discoloration of
- your urine, feces, saliva, sputum, sweat, and tears. This is a harmless
- effect. The drug may also permanently discolor soft contact lenses. You
- might want to stop wearing them while you are taking this medication. Discuss
- this with your ophthalmologist.
- * Do not stop taking this medication unless you first check with your
- doctor. Stopping the drug and restarting it at a later time can lead to an
- increase in side effects.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although rifampin
- appears to be safe in humans, birth defects have been reported in the
- offspring of animals that received large doses of the drug during pregnancy.
- Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of
- rifampin pass into breast milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-