Rifampin: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Rifampin is a rifamycin antibacterial sold in the U.S. under 3 brand and generic names, for brucellosis, haemophilus infections and legionnaires' disease. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
Key facts
- Drug class
- Rifamycin Antibacterial
- Treats (across its forms)
- Brucellosis, Haemophilus Infections and Legionnaires' Disease
- Available as
- Injectable · Capsule
- Sold as
- 3 products — Rifadin, Rifampin and Rimactane
- Prescription?
- Prescription only
- Generic available?
- Yes
- What the pharmacy pays
- about $21 for a 30-count supply — not your price
How Rifadin is dosed
From the FDA label for Rifadin (application NDA050627). Other rifampin products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Rifampin can be administered by the oral route or by IV infusion (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE ). IV doses are the same as those for oral. See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY for dosing information in patients with renal failure. Tuberculosis Adults: 10 mg/kg, in a single daily administration, not to exceed 600 mg/day, oral or IV Pediatric Patients: 10–20 mg/kg, not to exceed 600 mg/day, oral or IV It is recommended that oral rifampin be administered once daily, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal with a full glass of water. Rifampin is indicated in the treatment of all forms of tuberculosis. A three-drug regimen consisting of rifampin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide is recommended in the initial phase of short-course therapy which is usually continued for 2 months. The Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis, the American Thoracic Society, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that either streptomycin or ethambutol be added as a fourth drug in a regimen containing isoniazid (INH), rifampin, and pyrazinamide for initial treatment of tuberculosis unless the likelihood of INH resistance is very low. The need for a fourth drug should be reassessed when the results of susceptibility testing are known. If community rates of INH resistance are currently less than 4%, an initial treatment regimen with less than four drugs may be considered. Following the…
Everything below is the FDA label for Rifadin (injectable). Rifampin is also sold as capsule, and those are different medicines to take — follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Rifadin side effects
The following adverse reactions associated with the use of RIFADIN were identified in clinical studies or postmarketing reports. Because some of these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Gastrointestinal Heartburn, epigastric distress, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, flatulence, cramps, and diarrhea have been noted in some patients. Although Clostridium difficile has been shown in vitro to be sensitive to rifampin, pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with the use of rifampin (and other broad-spectrum antibiotics). Therefore, it is important to consider this diagnosis in patients who develop diarrhea in association with antibiotic use. Tooth discoloration (which may be permanent) may occur. Hepatic Hepatotoxicity including transient abnormalities in liver function tests (e.g., elevations in serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, serum transaminases, gamma-glutamyl transferase), hepatitis, shock-like syndrome with hepatic involvement and abnormal liver function tests, and cholestasis have been reported (see WARNINGS ). Hematologic Cases of thrombotic microangiopathy, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome, have been reported (see WARNINGS ). Thrombocytopenia has occurred…
Who shouldn’t take Rifadin
RIFADIN is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to rifampin or any of the components, or to any of the rifamycins. (See WARNINGS .) Rifampin is contraindicated in patients who are also receiving ritonavir-boosted saquinavir due to an increased risk of severe hepatocellular toxicity. (See PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions .) Rifampin is contraindicated in patients who are also receiving atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, saquinavir, tipranavir, cabotegravir, fostemsavir and lenacapavir (see prescribing information for SUNLENCA ® ) due to the potential of rifampin to substantially decrease plasma concentrations of these antiviral drugs, which may result in decreased antiviral efficacy and/or development of viral resistance. (See PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions .) Rifampin is contraindicated in patients receiving praziquantel since therapeutically effective blood levels of praziquantel may not be achieved. In patients receiving rifampin who need immediate treatment with praziquantel alternative agents should be considered. However, if treatment with praziquantel is necessary, rifampin should be discontinued 4 weeks before administration of praziquantel. Treatment with rifampin can then be restarted one day after completion of praziquantel treatment. Rifampin is contraindicated in patients receiving lurasidone. Concomitant use of lurasidone with strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin) decreased the exposure of lurasidone compared to the use of lurasidone alone. (See PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions ).
Rifadin drug interactions
Pharmacodynamic Interactions Healthy subjects who received rifampin 600 mg once daily concomitantly with saquinavir 1000 mg/ritonavir 100 mg twice daily (ritonavir-boosted saquinavir) developed severe hepatocellular toxicity. Therefore, concomitant use of these medications is contraindicated. (See CONTRAINDICATIONS .) When rifampin is given concomitantly with other hepatotoxic medications such as halothane or isoniazid, the potential for hepatotoxicity is increased. The concomitant use of rifampin and halothane should be avoided. Patients receiving both rifampin and isoniazid should be monitored closely for hepatotoxicity. Effect of Rifampin on Other Drugs Induction of Drug Metabolizing Enzymes and Transporters Drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters affected by rifampin include cytochromes P450 (CYP) 1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, and 3A4, UDP-glucuronyltransferases (UGT), sulfotransferases, carboxylesterases, and transporters including P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2). Most drugs are substrates for one or more of these enzyme or transporter pathways and these pathways may be induced by rifampin simultaneously. Therefore, rifampin may increase the metabolism and decrease the activity of certain coadministered drugs or increase the activity of a coadministered pro-drug (where metabolic activation is required), and has the potential to perpetuate clinically important drug-drug interactions against many drugs and across many drug classes (Table 1). Table 1 summarizes the effect of rifampin on other drugs or drug classes. Adjust dosages of concomitant drugs based on approved drug labeling and if applicable, therapeutic drug monitoring, unless otherwise specified. Table 1: Drug Interactions with Rifampin that Affect Concomitant Drug Concentrations Administered with rifampin 600 mg daily, unless otherwise specified Drug or Drug Class and Prevention or Management Clinical Effect AUC = area under the time-concentration curve Antiretrovirals Prevention or Management: Concomitant use is contraindicated (see CONTRAINDICATIONS ) Atazanavir Decrease AUC by 72% Darunavir Rifampin dosage used concomitantly with the drug(s) is not specified in the proposed package insert. Substantial decrease in exposure, which may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance. Tipranavir Fosamprenavir Administered with rifampin 300 mg daily Decrease AUC by 82% Saquinavir Decrease AUC by 70% Coadministration may result in severe hepatocellular toxicity. Cabotegravir Decrease AUC by 59% Fostemsavir Decrease AUC by 82% Lenacapavir (SUNLENCA ® ) Indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection Decrease AUC by 84% Antiretrovirals Prevention or Management: Avoid concomitant use Zidovudine Decrease AUC by 47% Indinavir Decrease AUC by 92% Efavirenz Decrease AUC by 26% Antiretrovirals Prevention or Management : Dose adjustment is indicated Lenacapavir (YEZTUGO ® ) Indicated for HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) Refer to the YEZTUGO ® prescribing information for YEZTUGO ® dose adjustment. Decrease AUC by 84% Cortisol Receptor Blocker Mifepristone Prevention or Management: Avoid concomitant use Decrease exposure Hepatitis C Antiviral Prevention or Management: Avoid concomitant use Daclatasvir Decrease AUC by 79% Simeprevir Decrease AUC by 48% Sofosbuvir Decrease AUC by 72% Coadministration of sofosbuvir with rifampin may decrease sofosbuvir plasma concentrations, leading to reduced therapeutic effect of sofosbuvir. Telaprevir Decrease AUC by 92% Systemic Hormonal Contraceptives Prevention or Management: Advise patients to change to non-hormonal methods of birth control during rifampin therapy Estrogens Decrease exposure Progestins Anticonvulsants Phenytoin Administered with rifampin 450 mg daily Decrease exposure Antiarrhythmics Disopyramide Decrease exposure Mexiletine Decrease exposure Quinidine Decrease exposure Propafenone Decrease AUC by 50%–67% Tocainide Decrease exposure Antiestrogens Tamoxifen Decrease AUC by 86% Toremifene Decrease steady state concentrations of toremifene in serum Antithrombotic Agents Clopidogrel Prevention or Management: Concomitant use of clopidogrel and rifampin should be discouraged Increase active metabolite exposure and risk of bleeding Ticagrelor Prevention or Management: Avoid use Decrease exposure Antipsychotics Haloperidol Decrease plasma concentrations by 70% Lurasidone Prevention or Management : Concomitant use is contraindicated (See CONTRAINDICATIONS ) Decrease exposure Oral Anticoagulants Prevention or Management: Perform prothrombin time daily or as frequently as necessary to establish and maintain the required dose of anticoagulant Warfarin Decrease exposure Antifungals Fluconazole Decrease AUC by 23% Itraconazole Prevention or Management: Not recommended 2 weeks before and during itraconazole treatment Decrease exposure Ketoconazole Decrease exposure Caspofungin Prevention or Management: Refer to the caspofungin prescribing information for caspofungin dose adjustment. Decrease exposure Beta-blockers Metoprolol Decrease exposure Propranolol Decrease exposure Benzodiazepines Diazepam , Administered with rifampin 1200 mg daily Decrease exposure Benzodiazepine-related drugs Zopiclone Decrease AUC by 82% Zolpidem Decrease AUC by 73% Calcium Channel Blockers Diltiazem Decrease exposure Nifedipine Rifampin 1200 mg administered as a single oral dose 8 hours before administering a single oral dose of nifedipine 10 mg Decrease exposure Verapamil Decrease exposure Corticosteroids Numerous cases in the literature describe a decrease in glucocorticoid effect when used concomitantly with rifampin. The literature contains reports of acute adrenal crisis or adrenal insufficiency induced by the combination of rifampin-isoniazid-ethambutol or rifampin-isoniazid in patients with Addison's disease. Prednisolone Decrease exposure Cardiac Glycosides Digoxin Prevention or Management: Measure serum digoxin concentrations before initiating rifampin. Continue monitoring and increase digoxin dose by approximately 20%–40% as necessary. Decrease exposure Digitoxin Decrease exposure Fluoroquinolones Pefloxacin Administered with rifampin 900 mg daily Decrease exposure Moxifloxacin , Decrease exposure Oral Hypoglycemic Agents (e.g., sulfonylureas) Glyburide Decrease exposure Rifampin may worsen glucose control of glyburide. Glipizide Decrease exposure Immunosuppressive Agents Cyclosporine Decrease exposure Tacrolimus Prevention or Management: Monitoring of whole blood concentrations and appropriate dosage adjustments of tacrolimus are recommended when rifampin and tacrolimus are used concomitantly. Decrease AUC by 56% Narcotic Analgesics Oxycodone Decrease AUC by 86% Morphine Decrease exposure Progestin Antagonist Mifepristone Prevention or Management: Refer to the posttreatment assessment in the mifepristone prescribing information to verify that treatment has been successful. Decrease exposure Selective 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists Ondansetron Decrease exposure Statins Metabolized by CYP3A4 Simvastatin Decrease exposure Thiazolidinediones Rosiglitazone Decrease AUC by 66% Tricyclic Antidepressants Nortriptyline A tuberculosis treatment regimen including rifampin (600 mg/day), isoniazid (300 mg/day), pyrazinamide (500 mg 3× per day), and pyridoxine (25 mg) was associated with higher than expected doses of nortriptyline were required to obtain a therapeutic drug level. Following the discontinuation of rifampin, the patient became drowsy and the serum nortriptyline levels rose precipitously (3-fold) into the toxic range. Decrease exposure Other Drugs Enalapril Decrease active metabolite exposure Chloramphenicol Concomitant use with rifampin in 2 children Decrease exposure Clarithromycin Decrease exposure Dapsone Rifampin has been shown to increase the clearance of dapsone and, accordingly, decrease dapsone exposure. Rifampin has also been shown to increase the production of the hydroxylamine metabolite of dapsone which could increase the risk of methemoglobinemia. Doxycycline Administered with rifampin (10 mg/kg daily) Decrease exposure Irinotecan Administered with an antibiotic regimen including rifampin (450 mg/day), isoniazid (300 mg/day), and streptomycin (0.5 g/day) IM Prevention or Management: Avoid the use of rifampin, a strong CYP3A4 inducer, if possible. Substitute non-enzyme inducing therapies at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of irinotecan therapy Decrease irinotecan and active metabolite exposure Levothyroxine Decrease exposure Losartan Parent Decrease AUC by 30% Active metabolite (E3174) Decrease AUC by 40% Methadone In patients well-stabilized on methadone, concomitant administration of rifampin resulted in a marked reduction in serum methadone levels and a concurrent appearance of withdrawal symptoms. Praziquantel Prevention or Management: Concomitant use is contraindicated (see CONTRAINDICATIONS ) Decrease plasma praziquantel concentrations to undetectable levels. Quinine Prevention or Management: Avoid concomitant use Decrease AUC by 75%–85% Telithromycin Decrease AUC by 86% Theophylline Decrease exposure by 20% to 40% Effect of Other Drugs on Rifampin Concomitant antacid administration may reduce the absorption of rifampin. Daily doses of rifampin should be given at least 1 hour before the ingestion of antacids. Concomitant use with probenecid and cotrimoxazole increases the concentration of rifampin which may increase the risk of RIFADIN toxicities. Monitor for adverse reactions associated with RIFADIN during coadministration. Other Interactions Atovaquone: Concomitant use of rifampin with atovaquone decrease concentrations of atovaquone and increase concentrations of rifampin which may increase the risk of RIFADIN toxicities. Coadministration of rifampin with atovaquone is not recommended.
Every rifampin product we track (3)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $21 | View → | |
| 2 | 66/100 | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $21 | View → | |
| 3 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $21 | View → |
What rifampin pills look like
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
Combination products containing rifampin
A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.
Rifampin recalls
From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.
Rifampin Capsules USP
Subpotent Drug
Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. · Mar 21, 2024
Rifampin Capsules USP
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specification.
Amerisource Health Services LLC · Jan 11, 2024
Rifampin Capsules USP 150mg
Subpotent Drug and Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications
Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. · Jan 5, 2024
Rifampin Capsules USP 300mg
Subpotent Drug and Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications
Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. · Jan 5, 2024
How long rifampin keeps
No rifampin label we read sets a separate limit for after opening, but they do specify how it must be stored — and the stability behind any date assumes those conditions.
Does rifampin expire? The in-use limits and storage rules from its labelsRifampin and breastfeeding
From LactMed, the US National Library of Medicine’s Drugs and Lactation Database — quoted, not rewritten.
Full LactMed record for rifampin: levels in milk, effects in breastfed infants, and the drugs it would consider insteadLimited information indicates that there are low levels of rifampin in breastmilk that would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. The amount of rifampin in milk is insufficient to treat tuberculosis in the breastfed infant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other professional organizations state that breastfeeding should not be discouraged in women taking rifampin. Breastmilk may be stained a yellow, orange, red or brown color.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, record revised November 15, 2024. LactMed states its information is not a substitute for professional judgement.
What people report to the FDA about rifampin
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 14,760 reports naming rifampin, and the FDA flagged 84% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms754 reports
- nausea671 reports
- pyrexia590 reports
- vomiting493 reports
- drug resistance459 reports
- acute kidney injury430 reports
- drug intolerance422 reports
- paradoxical drug reaction416 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean rifampin caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label section above.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved July 26, 2026.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What is Rifadin?
Rifadin (Rifampin) is a rifamycin antibacterial used to treat Brucellosis, Haemophilus Infections, Legionnaires' Disease, Leprosy.
What kind of drug is rifampin?
The FDA classifies rifampin as a rifamycin antibacterial. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take rifampin with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run rifampin against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is rifampin sold under?
We track 3 rifampin-containing products in the U.S.: Rifadin, Rifampin and Rimactane. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does rifampin come in?
Across the brands we track, rifampin is currently marketed as injectable and capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic rifampin?
Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic rifampin product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.
Has rifampin been recalled?
The FDA's Enforcement database lists 4 recall records whose product description mentions rifampin. The most recent: Rifampin Capsules USP (Mar 21, 2024). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.
Cite this page
- APA
- pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Rifampin: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/rifampin
- MLA
- “Rifampin: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/rifampin.
We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Read the full FDA label for rifampin on DailyMed (NIH) ↗.