Rifampicin - Oral

Rifampicin is an antibiotic. It is used together with other medicines to treat a lung infection known as tuberculosis (TB).

This medicine is also used together with other medicines to treat leprosy (bacterial infection that affects the skin, mucous membrane, and the nerves), brucellosis (bacterial infection mainly spread through drinking or eating unpasteurised dairy products or handling infected animals), Legionnaire's disease (severe bacterial infection affecting the lungs) and other severe bacterial infections.

Rifampicin may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.

Take Rifampicin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

Take it on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.

Rifampicin is available as a capsule, oral syrup, or suspension.

If you are taking the oral suspension or syrup, shake the bottle well before you take the medicine to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your infection.

Take Rifampicin at regular intervals. Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of this medicine. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Do not take Rifampicin if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or similar medicines such as rifabutin.

Alert your doctor if you have jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes with stomach pain, persistent tiredness, nausea or vomiting) as Rifampicin may not be suitable for you.

Do not take Rifampicin with certain medicines used to treat HIV infection, parasitic worm infection, and mood disorders unless instructed by your doctor. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• diabetes
• porphyria (an inherited disorder that causes skin or nervous system abnormalities)
• kidney disease
• liver disease

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Rifampicin to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.

Notify your doctor if you consume large amounts of alcohol or if you are a frequent drinker.

Do not wear contact lenses during therapy as this medicine may permanently stain the contact lenses.

If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. urine test for strong painkillers, test for blood folate or cobalamin [vitamin B₁₂] levels), inform your doctor that you are taking Rifampicin.

Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.

• Routine tests (e.g. liver and kidney function, complete blood count) may be done before treatment and while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
• Regular monitoring for signs of liver problems, allergic reactions and lung problems may also be needed.

What must I do to prevent spreading TB to other people?

TB is spread through the air, especially when you cough, sneeze or laugh. Always cover your mouth when you cough, sneeze or laugh. If you use tissue paper, seal it in a plastic bag before you throw it away. If you need to be around people for a long time, be sure to wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose to minimise the risk of passing the disease to other people.

You may still be able to infect others while undergoing treatment for TB. Your doctor may tell you to stay at home to avoid passing the disease to other people. You may need to sleep in a bedroom separate from your family members.

Be sure to finish the course of medication according to your doctor's instructions.

Rifampicin may cause any of the following side effects: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, decreased appetite and muscle pain.

Your urine may look slightly reddish-orange, yellow or brown in colour. This is normal while you are being treated with this medicine. It may also cause your stools, saliva, phlegm, teeth, tears and sweat to change to reddish-orange in colour. This is harmless, do not be alarmed.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• signs and symptoms of allergic reaction e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, mouth or throat
• signs and symptoms of worsening lung problem e.g. new or sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, night sweats
• rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
• yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
• severe watery diarrhoea, severe stomach cramps, bloody stools
• unusual bleeding or bruising, severe weakness, fever, change in how much urine is passed

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Do not take Rifampicin with the following medicines unless instructed by your doctor:

• certain medicines for HIV infection e.g. saquinavir, ritonavir, atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, tipranavir
• praziquantel (medicine for parasitic worm infection)
• lurasidone (medicine for mood disorders)

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, phenobarbital
• medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, fluconazole
• other medicines for HIV infection e.g. indinavir, efavirenz
• certain antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin, doxycycline
• medicines for high blood pressure e.g. bisoprolol, diltiazem, nifedipine, enalapril
• medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. quinidine, disopyramide, mexiletine
• medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
• blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, clopidogrel
• medicines for diabetes e.g. glipizide
• medicines for depression e.g. amitriptyline, nortriptyline
• anti-inflammatory medicines e.g. prednisolone, betamethasone
• strong painkillers e.g. methadone, morphine
• simvastatin (cholesterol-lowering medicine)
• haloperidol (medicine for mood disorder)
• digoxin (medicine for heart disease)
• levothyroxine (medicine for thyroid disease)
• birth control pills

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Rifampicin.

This medicine should not be taken with antacids (medicines that neutralise stomach acids) as it could reduce the effectiveness of Rifampicin. If you must take antacids, take them between meals at least 1 hour after you have taken this medicine.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Protect the capsule from light and excessive heat.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.