Generic Name: rifampicin/rifampin

Brand Name: Rifadin, Rimactane

General Action: Antibiotic, Antituberculotic (first line)

Stock Dose: Capsules-150,300mg; powder-600mg

Specific Action:

Inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity in susceptible bacterial cells.

Indications
• Treatment of Pulmonary TB in conjunction with at least one other effective
antituberculotic.
• Neisseria meningitidis carriers, for asymptomatic carriers to eliminate meningococci
from nasopharynx; not for treatment of meningitis.
• Unlabeled uses: Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus
epidermis, usually in combination therapy; gram-negative bacteremia in infancy;
Legionella pneumophilia, not responsive to erythromycin; leprosy (in combination with
dapsone); prophylaxis of meningitis caused by Haemophilis influenzae.

Contraindications
• Contraindicated with allergy to any rifamycin, acute hepatic disease, lactation.
• Use cautiously with pregnancy (teratogenic effects have been reported in preclinical
studies; safest antituberculous regimen for use in pregnancy is condidered to be rifampin,
isoniazid, and ethambutol).

Adverse Effects
• CNS: headache, drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, inability to concentrate, mental
confusion, generalized numbness, muscle weakness, visual disturbances.
• Dermatologic: Rash, pruritus, urticaria, flushing, reddish discoloration of body fluids—
tears, saliva, urine, sweat, sputum.
• GI: heartburn, distress, anorexia, vomiting gas, cramps, diaarhea, hepatitis, pancreatitis.
• GU: hemoglobinuria, hematuria, renal insufficiency, acute renal failure, menstrual
disturbances.
• Hematologic: eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, transient leucopenia, hemolytic anemia,
decreased Hgb, hemolysis.
• Other: pain in extremities, osteomalacia, myopathy, fever, flulike symptoms.

Nursing Responsibilities
 • Administer on an empty stomach, 1 hr before or 2 hr after meals.
• Administer in a single daily dose.
• Consult pharmacist for rifamoin suspension for patients unable to swallow capsules.
• Prepare patient for the reddish-orange coloring of body fluids (urine, sweat, sputum,
tears, feces, saliva); soft contact lenses may be permanently stained; advise patients not to
wear them during therapy.
• Warning: arrange for follow-up visits for liver and renal function tests, CBC, and
ophthalmologic examinations.

Health Teachings
• Teach client to take drug in a single daily dose. Take on an empty stomach, 1 hr before or
2 hrs after meals.
• Inform client to take this drug regularly; avoid missing any doses; do not discontinue this
drug without consulting the health care provider.
• Tell client to have periodic medical chechups, including eye examinations and blood test,
to evaluate the drug effects.
• Inform client that he may experience the drug’s side effects (especially the red colored
secrection)
• Instruct client to see his physician if he experience fever, chills, muscle and bone pain,
excessive tiredness or weakness, loss of appetite, N/V, yellowing of eyes/skin, unusual
bleeding or bruising, skin rash or itching.
• Instruct client to remove contact lenses as they may discolour

• http://nurseslabs.com/drug-study/rifampicin/