Rifampicin
Please note: This is for information only.
Refer to local guidelines for treatment recommendations
- Antituberculosis drug.
- Bactericidal.
- Adult dose – varies according to indication.
- Dosage adjustment may be necessary in severe renal impairment
- Eliminated in bile therefore adjust dose if liver impairment (maximum 8mg/kg/day).
- Monitor LFTs and withdraw the drug if clinically significant changes in liver function during therapy.
- Penetrates into CSF
- An enzyme inducer therefore numerous drug interactions (including oral contraceptives).
- Resistance develops quickly if used as monotherapy to treat systemic infections.
Main indications:
- Treatment of tuberculosis and leprosy as part of combination therapy.
- Treatment of serious Staphylococcal infections (eg endocarditis, epidural abscess)
- To eliminate carriage of N meningitidis and H influenzae B in asymptomatic patients who have been in close contact with a patient with meningitis caused by those bugs.
Active against most strains of:
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Staphylococcus aureus – including MRSA
Not active against most strains of: