Rifadin Oral (Rifampicin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Rifadin Oral Used For?
Rifadin contains rifampicin, an antibiotic that kills certain types of bacteria that can cause serious infections.
Primary Uses
Rifadin is taken with other medicines to treat tuberculosis and is used to treat leprosy. It is also taken to prevent meningococcal disease (which can cause meningitis) and infections caused by Haemophilus Influenzae Type B bacteria, which can cause meningitis, pneumonia, or conjunctivitis.
How It Works
Rifadin is an antibiotic which kills certain types of bacteria that can cause serious infections.
How to Take Rifadin Oral
Follow the instructions provided when Rifadin was prescribed, including the number of days it should be taken. Swallow capsules whole with a glass of water.
Dosage Instructions
Take Rifadin capsules or syrup on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after a meal. If you need to take an antacid, take it at least 1 hour after your dose of Rifadin.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Take Rifadin regularly at the same time each day. If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember, then resume taking Rifadin as directed. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- drowsiness
- fatigue
- difficulty concentrating
- confusion
- menstrual problems
- red-orange, yellow or brown coloring of urine, stool, saliva, sputum, sweat, tears and teeth
- yellow discoloration of skin or eyes
- conjunctivitis
- vision problems
- oral or vaginal thrush
- poor coordination
- muscle weakness
- pain in fingers or toes
- numbness
- heartburn
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
- upset stomach
- wind
- cramps
- diarrhea
- high blood levels of uric acid
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- liver injury symptoms (nausea, vomiting, fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, light-colored stools, yellowing of skin or eyes, itching, rash, upper stomach pain)
- severe skin reactions (severe red/itchy skin, blisters, bleeding, peeling, bruising)
- blood problems (blood in urine, severe bleeding or bruising, blood clots)
- worsening tuberculosis symptoms with inflammatory signs
- bone pain
- lung inflammation (shortness of breath, cough, fever)
- allergic reactions (swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat causing breathing difficulty)
- severe stomach cramps
- severe watery or bloody diarrhea with fever
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Rifadin should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Rifadin Oral
Do not take Rifadin if you are allergic to rifampicin or similar antibiotics, have jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin), are taking saquinavir/ritonavir, cabotegravir, fostemsavir or lenacapavir (HIV/AIDS medicines), are breastfeeding, or have previously had liver problems with rifampicin-containing medicines.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have liver problems, bleeding problems or bruise easily, diabetes, wear soft contact lenses (may be permanently stained), take oral contraceptives (should change to alternative birth control), have allergies, or have a history of lung inflammation.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Rifadin should not be used while breastfeeding as it passes into breast milk and may affect your baby.
Liver Injury Warning: Stop using Rifadin and immediately contact a doctor if you experience nausea, vomiting, fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, light-colored stools, yellowing of skin or eyes, itching, rash, or upper stomach pain – these may be signs of liver injury.
Drug Interactions
Many medicines may interfere with Rifadin and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- saquinavir and ritonavir (HIV/AIDS medicines)
- cabotegravir, fostemsavir, lenacapavir (viral infection medicines)
- dapsone (antibiotic)
- paracetamol
- halothane (general anaesthetic)
- hepatitis C medicines (daclatasvir, simeprevir, sofosbuvir, telaprevir)
- cephalosporin antibiotics
- oral contraceptives
- antacids
- blood thinners like clopidogrel
- cholesterol medicines
- heart and blood pressure medicines
- diabetes medicines
- antifungal medicines
- mental health medicines
- seizure medicines
- pain medicines
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful with activities requiring alertness as Rifadin may cause dizziness, drowsiness or other undesirable effects.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Rifadin affects you. Rifadin may cause dizziness, drowsiness or other undesirable effects in some people.
Storage
Store Rifadin below 25°C in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Rifadin, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia or 0800 764 766 in New Zealand), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, itching, headache, tiredness, dizziness, swelling, fast or uneven heartbeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source does not specify how long Rifadin takes to work. You should continue taking it exactly as prescribed by your doctor and see your doctor monthly for check-ups to monitor your progress.
No, Rifadin should be taken on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after a meal for best absorption.
Do not stop taking Rifadin because you feel better. If you do not complete the full treatment, your infection may not completely clear or may return.
Yes, Rifadin may color your urine, stool, saliva, sputum, sweat, tears and teeth red-orange, yellow or brown. This is normal but soft contact lenses may be permanently stained.
If you need to take an antacid, take it at least 1 hour after your dose of Rifadin to avoid interference with absorption.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then resume your regular schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Yes, you should see your doctor monthly for check-ups. Your doctor may order blood tests from time to time to check your progress and monitor for side effects.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.