Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Rifadin.
Antibiotic-related diarrhea: As with other antibacterial medications, rifampin can cause a severe form of diarrhea associated with a condition known as pseudomembranous colitis. If you develop severe diarrhea while taking (or within a few weeks of taking) Rifadin, contact your doctor.
Bacterial resistance: Misuse of an antibiotic such as rifampin may lead to the growth of resistant bacteria that will not be killed by the antibiotic. If this happens, the antibiotic may not work for you in the future. Although you may begin to feel better when you first start taking rifampin, you need to take all the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor to finish ridding your body of the infection and to prevent resistant bacteria from taking hold. Do not take rifampin or other antibiotics to treat a viral infection such as The Common Cold; antibiotics do not kill viruses, and using them to treat viral infections can lead to the growth of resistant bacteria.
Birth control: Rifampin can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control, which may lead to unplanned pregnancy. Women who may become pregnant while taking rifampin should use another or a second method of birth control.
Hypersensitivity syndrome: A Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) called hypersensitivity syndrome has occurred for some people with the use of rifampin. Stop taking the medication and get immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, including fever, swollen glands, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or flu-like symptoms with skin rash or blistering.
Red-orange discolouration: Rifampin causes substances produced by the body, such as stools, urine, tears, and sweat, to be coloured red-orange. This discolouration can cause contact lenses to become permanently stained.
Liver function: Rifampin can cause liver failure, which has in some cases caused death. This may be more likely to occur if you already have decreased liver function. Liver disease or reduced liver function may also cause Rifadin to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Rifadin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Rifadin, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Rifadin.
If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.
Porphyria: Rifampin may cause attacks of a condition called acute porphyria (a disorder that affects the production of heme in the body). If you have porphyria, discuss with your doctor how Rifadin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Rifadin, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Pregnancy: Rifadin crosses the placental barrier, but its effect on a developing baby is not clear. Rifampin should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Rifadin, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: Rifadin passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking rifampin, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: Rifampin should not be given to premature infants or newborns, as the liver may not be fully active.
