Rifampin Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 10, 2024.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to rifampin: compounding powder, intravenous powder for injection, oral capsule.
Dermatologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Serious cutaneous reactions
Frequency not reported: Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome, erythema multiforme, face edema, itching with/without rash, mild cutaneous reactions, pemphigoid reaction, pruritus, rash, self-limiting cutaneous reactions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, urticaria[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity reactions included acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis, hematuria, hemoglobinuria, hemolysis, interstitial nephritis, renal insufficiency, and serious cutaneous reactions.[Ref]
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity reactions
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylaxis[Ref]
Renal
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis, interstitial nephritis, renal insufficiency
Frequency not reported: Blood urea nitrogen elevations[Ref]
Acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis, interstitial necrosis, renal insufficiency were hypersensitivity reactions and usually occurred during intermittent therapy or during the resumption of intentional/accidental interruption of a daily dosage regimen. The effects were usually reversible when treatment was discontinued and appropriate therapy was instituted.[Ref]
Hematologic
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Disseminated intravascular coagulation, hemolysis, thrombocytopenia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Agranulocytosis
Frequency not reported: Decreased hemoglobin, eosinophilia, hemolytic anemia, leukopenia[Ref]
Thrombocytopenia usually occurred with high-dose intermittent therapy, but has occurred with well-supervised daily therapy and after resumption of interrupted treatment; the effect is reversible if treatment is discontinued as soon as purpura occurs.
Hemolysis was a hypersensitivity reaction and usually occurred during intermittent therapy or during the resumption of intentional/accidental interruption of a daily dosage regimen. This effect was usually reversible when treatment was discontinued and appropriate therapy was instituted.[Ref]
Hepatic
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Abnormal liver function tests, hepatitis, shock-like syndrome with hepatic involvement
Frequency not reported: Jaundice, transient liver function test abnormalities, serum bilirubin elevations, serum transaminase elevations[Ref]
Genitourinary
Hematuria and hemoglobinuria were hypersensitivity reactions and usually occurred during intermittent therapy or during the resumption of intentional/accidental interruption of a daily dosage regimen. The effects were usually reversible when treatment was discontinued and appropriate therapy was instituted.[Ref]
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hematuria, hemoglobinuria
Frequency not reported: Menstrual disturbances[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Myopathy
Frequency not reported: Bone pain, extremity pain, muscular weakness[Ref]
Bone pain was included in flu syndrome, and occurred in patients receiving intermittent regimens; however, this event may occur in patients taking this drug irregularly or if daily administration is resumed after a drug-free interval.[Ref]
Psychiatric
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Psychoses
Frequency not reported: Behavioral changes, mental confusion[Ref]
Endocrine
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Adrenal insufficiency[Ref]
Adrenal insufficiency occurred in patients with compromised adrenal function.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Frequency not reported: Cramps, diarrhea, epigastric distress, flatulence, heartburn, nausea, pseudomembranous colitis, sore mouth, sore tongue, tooth discoloration/permanent tooth discoloration, vomiting[Ref]
Nervous system
Frequency not reported: Ataxia, cerebral hemorrhage, dizziness, drowsiness, generalized numbness, headache, inability to concentrate[Ref]
Cerebral hemorrhage occurred in patients who continued or resumed treatment after the appearance of purpura.
Dizziness and headache were included in flu syndrome, and occurred in patients receiving intermittent regimens; however, the events may occur in patients taking this drug irregularly or if daily administration is resumed after a drug-free interval.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Frequency not reported: Decreased blood pressure, extremity edema, flushing with/without rash, shock, vasculitis[Ref]
Decreased blood pressure and shock were included in flu syndrome, and occurred in patients receiving intermittent regimens; however, the events may occur in patients taking this drug irregularly or if daily administration is resumed after a drug-free interval.[Ref]
Other
Frequency not reported: Chills, fatalities, fatigue, fever[Ref]
Chills and fever were included in flu syndrome, and occurred in patients receiving intermittent regimens; however, the events may occur in patients taking this drug irregularly or if daily administration is resumed after a drug-free interval.
Fatalities occurred in patients who continued or resumed treatment after the appearance of purpura.[Ref]
Metabolic
Frequency not reported: Alkaline phosphatase elevations, anorexia, serum uric acid elevations[Ref]
Ocular
Frequency not reported: Conjunctivitis, visual disturbances[Ref]
Immunologic
Flu syndrome occurred in patients receiving intermittent regimens, but may occur in patients taking this drug irregularly or if daily administration is resumed after a drug-free interval.[Ref]
Frequency not reported: Flu syndrome[Ref]
Respiratory
Frequency not reported: Shortness of breath, wheezing[Ref]
Shortness of breath and wheezing were included in flu syndrome, and occurred in patients receiving intermittent regimens; however, the events may occur in patients taking this drug irregularly or if daily administration is resumed after a drug-free interval.[Ref]
Frequently asked questions
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Other brands
Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifadin IV
Professional resources
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Related treatment guides
References
1. (2001) "Product Information. Rifadin (rifampin)." Hoechst Marion Roussel
2. (2001) "Product Information. Rifamate (rifampin)." Hoechst Marion Roussel
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.