Rifampin 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.

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.

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

• bloody or watery diarrhea

• breathing problems

• bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine

• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

• fever or chills

• fever with rash, swollen lymph nodes, or swelling of the face

• general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms

• mouth sores

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• sore throat

• 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

• drowsiness

• confusion

• headache

• loss of appetite

• nausea, vomiting

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

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.

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.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

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

• diabetes

• HIV or AIDS

• if you often drink alcohol

• liver disease

• wear contact lenses

• an unusual or allergic reaction to rifampin, rifabutin, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional 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 doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

This medicine can color your teeth, urine, sweat, tears, and mucous. The color may stain your teeth for good. The color in tears may also stain soft contact lenses for good. If you wear contact lenses, ask your doctor or health care professional when you can use your lenses again.

You may need blood work done while you are taking this medicine.

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.