rifampin - oral, Rifadin, Rimactane

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GENERIC NAME: RIFAMPIN - ORAL (rif-AM-pin)

BRAND NAME(S): Rifadin, Rimactane

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: This medication is a rifamycin antibiotic used to prevent and treat tuberculosis and other infections.This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (e.g., common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or overuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.

HOW TO USE: This medication is best taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals; or take as directed by your doctor. If you have nausea, do not take antacids with rifampin since it will lessen the effectiveness of this drug. However, if you need to take antacids, wait at least 1 hour after taking this drug.If you are unable to swallow the capsules, you may open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto a spoonful of cool, soft applesauce or jelly. Eat the entire mixture immediately. Do not prepare a supply for future use.If you have a liquid form, shake the bottle well before each dose. Use a medication-measuring device to carefully measure the prescribed dose.Rifampin is frequently used in combination with other antibiotics to prevent or treat certain kinds of infections (e.g., latent/active tuberculosis, meningococcal disease). Your dose/schedule/treatment length will vary, depending on what you are treated for. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals, or exactly as directed. Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a return of the infection.Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Need help identifying pills and medications? Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.