Mycobutin (Rifabutin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Mycobutin Used For?
Mycobutin contains rifabutin, an antibiotic that kills certain types of bacteria called mycobacteria. It’s always used in combination with other medicines to treat serious bacterial infections.
Primary Uses
Mycobutin is used to treat mycobacterial infections including tuberculosis (TB) and Mycobacteria avium-intracellulare complex (MAC). It may also be used to prevent infections in patients with HIV disease.
How It Works
Mycobutin is an antibiotic that works by killing certain types of bacteria known as mycobacteria.
Good to know: Mycobutin is always prescribed in combination with other medicines to ensure the most effective treatment.
How to Take Mycobutin
Mycobutin capsules should be swallowed whole once a day. They can be taken at any time and don’t need to be taken with food.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is 2 to 4 capsules per day (1-2 capsules per day for newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients), but your doctor will decide your specific dose. Each capsule contains 150 mg of rifabutin. Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly and complete the full course, which usually takes several months.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Take Mycobutin regularly around the same time each day for best results.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Don’t stop taking Mycobutin even if you feel better – you need to complete the full course.
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:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Joint and muscle pain
- Red-orange colored urine
- Discolored skin or body secretions
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reactions (shortness of breath, chest pain, rashes, coughing, wheezing)
- Severe diarrhea (even weeks after stopping Mycobutin)
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin)
- Moderate or severe skin rash or blisters with flu-like symptoms
- Eye problems (pain, redness, blurry vision)
- Unexpected bleeding or bruising
- Fever
- Signs of anemia (tiredness, pale complexion)
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings to be aware of before taking Mycobutin. Make sure to discuss your medical history with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Mycobutin
Don’t take Mycobutin if you’re allergic to rifabutin or other rifamycin antibiotics (like rifampicin), or if you’re taking treatments that include ritonavir or prolonged-release rilpivirine injections. Don’t give Mycobutin to children.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems, any other medical conditions, or take any other medicines. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose or treatment.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Mycobutin. Oral contraceptives may be affected by Mycobutin – discuss alternative birth control methods with your doctor.
Blood Monitoring Required: Mycobutin may affect your liver or reduce your body’s ability to make blood cells. Regular blood tests will be required during treatment.
Drug Interactions
Many medicines can interfere with Mycobutin and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.
- HIV treatments (saquinavir, indinavir, ritonavir, amprenavir, fosamprenavir, lopinavir, nevirapine, bictegravir, doravirine, rilpivirine, atazanavir/ritonavir, darunavir/ritonavir, elvitegravir/cobicistat)
- Anti-hepatitis C virus treatments (sofosbuvir)
- Anti-tuberculosis treatments (bedaquiline)
- Other antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim, atovaquone)
- Anti-fungal treatments (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole)
- Oral contraceptives (ethinylestradiol/norethisterone)
- Estrogens (menopausal hormone therapy)
- Heart medicines
- Oral diabetes medicines
- Epilepsy medicines (phenytoin)
- Sedatives, sleeping pills, anxiety medicines
- Corticosteroids
- Tacrolimus (organ transplant rejection prevention)
- Methadone and other opiates (morphine)
- Cisapride (heartburn/stomach ulcers)
- Warfarin (blood clotting disorders)
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious about driving and alcohol consumption while taking Mycobutin.
Alcohol
No specific information is available about alcohol interactions with Mycobutin.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Mycobutin affects you.
Storage
Store Mycobutin in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Don’t store it in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep capsules in their original packaging including the outer carton until it’s time to take them. If you remove the medicine from the pack, it may not keep well. Keep away from children and don’t use after the expiry date.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Mycobutin, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. An excessive dose may lead to severe side effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mycobutin is typically taken for several months as part of a complete treatment course. You should not stop taking it even if you feel better, as you need to complete the full course to ensure all bacteria are eliminated.
Yes, Mycobutin capsules can be taken with or without food. They should be swallowed whole once a day at any time that’s convenient for you.
Yes, Mycobutin commonly causes your urine to become red-orange in color. Your skin or other body secretions may also become discolored. This is a normal side effect and not harmful.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Try to take Mycobutin at the same time each day.
It’s better not to wear contact lenses, especially soft contact lenses, during treatment with Mycobutin as they may become permanently stained due to the red-orange discoloration the medicine causes.
Yes, regular blood tests may be required because Mycobutin can affect your liver or reduce your body’s ability to make red or white blood cells or platelets. Your doctor will monitor this through blood tests.
Don’t stop taking Mycobutin without your doctor’s advice, even if you feel better. If you don’t complete the full course, all bacteria may not be killed, and your infection may not clear completely or may return.
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.