Generic Name: rifampicin/rifampin Brand Name: Rifadin, Rimactane General Action: Antibiotic, Antituberculotic (first line) Stock Dose:

Capsules-150,300mg; powder-600mg Specific Action: Inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity in susceptible bacterial cells.
Indications of Rifampicin

Contents [hide]
1 Indications of Rifampicin 2 Contraindications of Rifampicin 3 Adverse Effects of Rifampicin 4 Nursing Responsibilities of Rifampicin 5 Health Teachings During Rifampicin Therapy<

Treatment of Pulmonary TB in conjunction with at least one other effective antituberculotic. Neisseria meningitidis carriers, for asymptomatic carriers to eliminate meningococci from nasopharynx; not for treatment of meningitis. Unlabeled uses: Infections caused byStaphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis, usually in combination therapy;gram-negative bacteremia in infancy; Legionella pneumophilia, not responsive to erythromycin; leprosy (in combination with dapsone); prophylaxis of meningitis caused by Haemophilis influenzae. Contraindicated with allergy to any rifamycin, acute hepatic disease, lactation. Use cautiously with pregnancy (teratogenic effects have been reported in preclinical studies; safest antituberculous regimen for use in pregnancy is condidered to be rifampin, isoniazid, and ethambutol). CNS: headache, drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, inability to concentrate, mental confusion, generalized numbness, muscle weakness, visual disturbances. Dermatologic: Rash, pruritus, urticaria, flushing, reddish discoloration of body fluidstears, saliva, urine, sweat, sputum. GI: heartburn, distress, anorexia, vomiting gas, cramps, diaarhea, hepatitis, pancreatitis. GU: hemoglobinuria, hematuria, renal insufficiency, acute renal failure, menstrual disturbances. Hematologic: eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, transient leucopenia, hemolytic anemia, decreased Hgb, hemolysis. Other: pain in extremities, osteomalacia, myopathy, fever, flulike symptoms. Administer on an empty stomach, 1 hr before or 2 hr after meals. Administer in a single daily dose. Consult pharmacist for rifamoin suspension for patients unable to swallow capsules.

Contraindications of Rifampicin

Adverse Effects of Rifampicin

Nursing Responsibilities of Rifampicin

Prepare patient for the reddish-orange coloring of body fluids (urine, sweat, sputum, tears, feces, saliva); soft contact lenses may be permanently stained; advise patients not to wear them during therapy. Warning: arrange for follow-up visits for liver and renal function tests, CBC, and ophthalmic examinations. Teach client to take drug in a single daily dose. Take on an empty stomach, 1 hr before or 2 hrs after meals. Inform client to take this drug regularly; avoid missing any doses; do not discontinue this drug without consulting the health care provider. Tell client to have periodic medical checkups, including eye examinations and blood test, to evaluate the drug effects. Inform client that he may experience the drugs side effects (especially the red colored secretion) Instruct client to see his physician if he experience fever, chills, muscle and bone pain, excessive tiredness or weakness, loss of appetite, N/V, yellowing of eyes/skin, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash or itching. Instruct client to remove contact lenses as they may discolor

Health Teachings During Rifampicin Therapy<

1. Common Side Effects

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Rifampicin may cause many troublesome or annoying, but not dangerous, side effects. Some patients experience gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn, loss of appetite, flatulence and cramps. Effects to the central nervous system, such as headaches, fever, drowsiness, lack of coordination, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, confusion, pain in the extremities and numbness are common. Some patients report blurred vision or conjunctivitis infections while taking rifampicin.

Hematologic Side Effects

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Infrequently, rifampicin causes changes in the blood cell counts. Some patients develop a shortage of blood platelets, or thrombocytopenia, while undergoing treatment with the drug. These platelets are responsible for blood clotting, so thrombcytopenia can cause minor bruising or even prolonged bleeding following an injury. In rare cases, usage of rifampicin results in life-threatening cerebral hemorrhages due to decreases in platelet levels. Use of the drug sometimes results in anemia and leukopenia, shortages of oxygencarrying red blood cells or disease-fighting white blood cells. These deficiencies pose a risk for difficulty in breathing, fatigue and increased incidences of infections.

Hypersensitivity
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Occasionally, patients develop a hypersensitivity to rifampicin, which often produces only minor side effects, such as itchy hives or red welts on the skin. Infrequently, use of rifampicin results in potentially life-threatening hypersensitivies such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, or toxic epidermal necrolysis. Rarely, rifampicin causes anaphylaxis, a dangerous allergic reaction that occurs when your body mistakes the drug for a foreign threat and produces antibodies to protect itself. Anaphylaxis may cause wheezing, increased heart rate and even shock.

Renal, Hepatic and Reproductive Side Effects

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Rifampicin may adversely effect your kidneys and liver, as well as urinary and reproductive systems. Some patients experience severe side effects to the kidneys, including the passage of bloody urine, inflammation of the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder, and even sudden kidney failure. Inflammation or damage to your liver is also possible while taking rifampicin. In rare cases, use of rifampicin results in colitis or inflammation of the colon. Women occasionally report changes in the regularity, duration or heaviness of menstruation while taking rifampicin.

Intermittent Use Side Effects

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In general, adverse effects of rifampicin are most common when the drug is used intermittently rather than on a regular basis. Sometimes physicians prescribe taking the drug every other day or weekly, while other times intermittent usage is the result of the patient's failure to use the drug daily as prescribed. Side effects also increase if usage is suddenly stopped and then restarted. Some side effects only occur with intermittent use, such as so-called flu syndrome. Symptoms of flu-syndrome mimic those caused by influenza and include a combination of fever, chills, headaches, dizziness and bone pain. Respiratory side effects like wheezing and shortness of breath are common during intermittent use, as is low blood pressure.