Rifampicin (Rifadin)

Rifampin is an antibiotic that prevents bacteria from spreading in your body. It is also used to treat or prevent tuberculosis, or to eliminate a bacteria from your nose and throat that may cause meningitis or other infections.

Therapeutic actions:
Rifampicin inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in bacterial cells by binding its beta-subunit, thus preventing transcription to RNA and subsequent translation to proteins. Its lipophilic nature makes it a good candidate to treat the meningitis form of tuberculosis, which requires distribution to the central nervous system and penetration through the blood-brain barrier.

What is it used for?:
• Treatment of all forms of tuberculosis.
• Treatment of asymptomatic carriers of Neisseria meningitidis to eliminate meningococci from the nasopharynx.

Contraindications and cautions:
• allergy to any ingredient in Rifadin;
• porphyria;
• taking HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir) or voriconazole.

Rifadin may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines.

Side effects:
Cramps; dizziness; drowsiness; gas; stomach pain or bloating; heartburn; joint pain; loss of appetite; headache; menstrual changes; nausea; diarrhea; vomiting.

Interactions:
Rifadin may interact with many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for infections, inflammation, aches and pains, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, seizures), multivitamin products, herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, St. John's wort), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), isoniazid, itraconazole, and voriconazole, increasing the risk of side effects.