This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Rifadin
Brand Names: Canada
Rifadin [DSC]; Rofact
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat TB (tuberculosis).
- It is used to stop the spread of meningitis in people who carry the bacteria but are not sick with the disease.
- It may be given to your child for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?
- If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
- If this drug caused liver problems before.
- If your child is taking any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with this drug, like certain drugs that are used for HIV, infections, or depression. There are many drugs that must not be taken with this drug.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?
- Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Have your child’s blood work and other lab tests checked as you have been told by the doctor.
- This drug may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your child’s health care providers and lab workers that your child takes this drug.
- Alcohol may interact with this drug. Be sure your child does not drink alcohol.
- If your child has high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your child’s blood sugar closely.
- This drug may stain contact lenses.
- Do not give to your child longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
- Liver problems have happened with rifampin. Sometimes these problems have been deadly, especially in people who had liver disease and in people who took this drug with other drugs that may raise the chance of liver problems. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
- Certain lung problems have happened with this drug. These lung problems could be deadly. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
If your child is or may be sexually active:
- Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Be sure your child uses some other kind of birth control also, like a condom, when taking this drug.
If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:
- Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby.
What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
All products:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
- Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
- Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
- Dizziness or passing out.
- Flu-like signs.
- Fever, chills, or sore throat; any unexplained bruising or bleeding; or feeling very tired or weak.
- Joint pain or swelling.
- Muscle pain or weakness.
- Chest pain.
- Sweating a lot.
- A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
- Swelling in the arms or legs.
- Purple spots or redness of the skin.
- Change in balance.
- Feeling confused, not able to focus, or change in behavior.
- Change in eyesight, eye pain, or severe eye irritation.
- Change in tooth color. These changes may be long-lasting.
- Call the doctor right away if your child has new or worse symptoms like cough, fever, feeling tired or weak, shortness of breath, headache, pain, night sweats, swollen gland, decreased appetite, weight loss, or skin sores.
- Diarrhea is common with antibiotics. Rarely, a severe form called C diff–associated diarrhea (CDAD) may happen. Sometimes, this has led to a deadly bowel problem. CDAD may happen during or a few months after taking antibiotics. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools. Check with your child’s doctor before treating diarrhea.
- Severe skin reactions may happen with this drug. These include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and other serious reactions. Sometimes, body organs may also be affected. These reactions can be deadly. Get medical help right away if your child has signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; red or irritated eyes; sores in the mouth, throat, nose, eyes, genitals, or any areas of skin; fever; chills; body aches; shortness of breath; or swollen glands.
- Very bad and sometimes deadly blood problems like thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS) have happened with this drug in some people. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child feels very tired or weak or has any bruising or bleeding; dark urine or yellow skin or eyes; pale skin; change in the amount of urine passed; change in eyesight; change in strength on 1 side is greater than the other, trouble speaking or thinking, or change in balance; or fever.
If your child has menstrual periods:
- Period (menstrual) changes.
Injection:
- This drug may cause tissue damage if the drug leaks from the vein. Tell your child’s nurse if your child has any redness, burning, pain, swelling, blisters, skin sores, or leaking of fluid where the drug is going into your child’s body.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:
- Feeling sleepy.
- Gas.
- Diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up.
- Heartburn.
- Stomach cramps.
- Change in color of body fluids to orange or red.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
How is this drug best given?
Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
Capsules:
- Give this drug on an empty stomach. Give at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
- Give this drug with a full glass of water.
- Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well.
- If your child is taking an antacid, give this drug at least 1 hour before giving the antacid.
- A liquid (suspension) can be made if your child cannot swallow pills. Talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist.
- If a liquid (suspension) is made, shake well before use.
- Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure this drug.
Injection:
- It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
What do I do if my child misses a dose?
Capsules:
- Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
- Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
Injection:
- Call your child’s doctor to find out what to do.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
Capsules:
- Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Protect from heat and light.
- If a liquid (suspension) is made, store at room temperature or in a refrigerator. Throw away any part not used after 4 weeks.
Injection:
- If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
All products:
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2023-02-23
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