Rifampicin
Also sold as: Rifadin
Usual adult dose
Dose is set by your doctor as part of TB treatment, usually 10 mg per kg (450 to 600 mg for adults) once a day on an empty stomach. Never stop TB treatment early.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- orange-red urine
- tears and sweat (harmless)
- nausea
- loss of appetite
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- yellow eyes or skin
- flu-like illness with fever
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- severe allergic reaction
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Jaundice or severe liver disease
- Allergy to rifampicin
- Hormonal birth control pills and injections work less well — use another method
- Taking HIV medicines or warfarin (doctor must adjust)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious13 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Apixaban
Rifampicin lowers apixaban levels so it may not prevent clots; avoid.
- Artemether + Lumefantrine
Rifampicin strongly lowers artemether and lumefantrine levels; treatment may fail.
- Daclatasvir
Rifampicin strongly lowers daclatasvir levels; do not combine.
- Ethinylestradiol + Levonorgestrel
Rifampicin makes the pill unreliable; use another method of contraception.
- Itraconazole
Rifampicin lowers itraconazole levels so much that it may not work.
- Ketoconazole
Rifampicin lowers ketoconazole levels so it may not work.
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- Levonorgestrel
Rifampicin makes emergency levonorgestrel less effective; a double dose or a copper IUD may be advised.
- Nifedipine
Rifampicin strongly lowers nifedipine levels so blood pressure may not be controlled.
- Praziquantel
Rifampicin lowers praziquantel levels so much that treatment can fail; stop rifampicin 4 weeks before if possible.
- Rivaroxaban
Rifampicin lowers rivaroxaban levels so it may not prevent clots; avoid.
- Sofosbuvir
Rifampicin lowers sofosbuvir levels so treatment may fail.
- Tenofovir + Lamivudine + Dolutegravir
Moderate8 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Dexamethasone
Rifampicin makes dexamethasone work less well.
- Hydrocortisone
Rifampicin makes hydrocortisone work less well; replacement doses may need to be increased.
- Methylprednisolone
Rifampicin makes methylprednisolone work less well.
- Norethisterone
Rifampicin lowers norethisterone levels and can make it less effective.