Rifampin Capsules

RIFAMPIN (RIF am pin) prevents and treats tuberculosis and other infections caused by bacteria. It belongs to a group of medications called antibiotics. It will not treat colds, the flu, or infections caused by viruses.

Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Take all of this medication unless your care team tells you to stop it early. Keep taking it even if you think you are better.

Take antacids at a different time of day than this medication. Take this medication at least 1 hour before antacids.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds, red or dark brown urine, small red or purple spots on skin, unusual bruising or bleeding
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
• Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• Severe diarrhea, fever
• Unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Change in tooth color
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Orange or red saliva, sweat, or urine
  

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). Avoid exposure to extreme heat. Protect from light. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, take the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Diabetes
• Frequently drink alcohol
• HIV or AIDS
• Liver disease
• Poor nutrition
• Wear contact lenses
• An unusual or allergic reaction to rifampin, rifabutin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Artemether; lumefantrine
• Certain antivirals for HIV or hepatitis
• Elagolix
• Idelalisib
• Isavuconazonium
• Lonafarnib
• Lorlatinib
• Lurasidone
• Praziquantel
• Ranolazine
• Voriconazole

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Acetaminophen
• Antacids
• Atovaquone
• Certain antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol, clarithromycin, dapsone, doxycycline, isoniazid, moxifloxacin, sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim
• Certain medications for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heartbeat
• Certain medications for depression, anxiety, or mental health conditions
• Certain medications for diabetes, such as glipizide, glyburide, rosiglitazone
• Certain medications for fungal infections, such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole
• Certain medications for sleep
• Certain medications that treat or prevent blood clots, such as warfarin
• Clopidogrel
• Cyclosporine
• Estrogen or progestin hormones
• Irinotecan
• Levothyroxine
• Methadone
• Morphine
• Ondansetron
• Oxycodone
• Phenytoin
• Prednisolone
• Probenecid
• Quinine
• Simvastatin
• Tacrolimus
• Tamoxifen
• Theophylline
• Ticagrelor
• Toremifene

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.

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your care team if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. You may also notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

You may need blood work while taking this medication.

Estrogen and progestin hormones may not work as well while you are taking this medication. A barrier contraceptive, such as a condom or diaphragm, is recommended if you are using these hormones for contraception. Talk to your care team about effective forms of contraception.

You should make sure you get enough vitamin B6 and vitamin D while you are taking this medication. Discuss the foods you eat and the vitamins you take with your care team.