Rifampin for Injection, USP is a sterile, lyophilized powder that contains rifampin 600 mg, sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate 10 mg, and sodium hydroxide to adjust pH. Rifampin is a semisynthetic antibiotic derivative of rifamycin SV. Rifampin is a red-brown crystalline powder very slightly soluble in water at neutral pH, freely soluble in chloroform, soluble in ethyl acetate and in methanol. The chemical name for rifampin is either: 3-[[(4-Methyl-1-piperazinyl)imino]methyl]rifamycin or 5,6,9,17,19,21-hexahydroxy-23-methoxy-2,4,12,16,18,20,22– heptamethyl-8-[N-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)formimidoyl]-2,7-(epoxypentadeca [1,11,13]trienimino)naphtho[2,1- b ]furan-1,11(2H)-dione 21-acetate. Its structural formula is: Structural Formula

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.: Rifampin, Rifadin 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 capsule and injectable, 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.

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.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Rifamycin Antibacterial
Treats: Brucellosis, Haemophilus Infections and Legionnaires' Disease
Available as: Capsule · Injectable
Sold as: 3 products — Rifampin, Rifadin and Rimactane
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $21 for a 30-count supply

How rifampin is dosed

From the FDA label for Rifampin (application ANDA091181). Other rifampin products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Rifampin for Injection, USP can be administered by IV infusion (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE ). 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, IV Pediatric Patients: 10-20 mg/kg, not to exceed 600 mg/day, IV 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 initial phase, treatment should be continued with rifampin and isoniazid for at least 4 months. Treatment should be continued for longer if the patient is still sputum or culture positive, if…

Rifampin side effects

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Fresenius Kabi USA , LLC at 1-800-551-7176 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 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, a shock-like syndrome with hepatic involvement and abnormal liver function tests, and cholestasis have been reported (see WARNINGS ). Hematologic Thrombocytopenia has occurred primarily with high dose intermittent therapy but has also been noted after resumption of interrupted treatment. It rarely occurs during well-supervised daily therapy. This effect is reversible if the drug is discontinued as soon as purpura occurs. Cerebral hemorrhage and fatalities have been reported when rifampin administration has been continued or…

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.

Rifampin products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Rifampin	56/100	Prescription	Capsule	Generic	$21	View →
2	Rifadin	Not yet rated	Prescription	Injectable	Generic	$21

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.

Rifampin pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
LU;E02	300 mg	red, red	capsule	—
LU;E02	300 mg	red, red	capsule	—
LU;E01	150 mg	red, red	capsule	—
LU;E02	300 mg	red, red	capsule	—

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.

Rifater

Rifampin recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Frequently asked questions

What is rifampin?: Rifampin for Injection, USP is a sterile, lyophilized powder that contains rifampin 600 mg, sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate 10 mg, and sodium hydroxide to adjust pH. Rifampin is a semisynthetic antibiotic derivative of rifamycin SV. Rifampin is a red-brown crystalline powder very slightly soluble in water at neutral pH, freely soluble in chloroform, soluble in ethyl acetate and in methanol. The chemical name for rifampin is either: 3-[[(4-Methyl-1-piperazinyl)imino]methyl]rifamycin or 5,6,9,17,19,21-hexahydroxy-23-methoxy-2,4,12,16,18,20,22– heptamethyl-8-[N-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)formimidoyl]-2,7-(epoxypentadeca [1,11,13]trienimino)naphtho[2,1- b ]furan-1,11(2H)-dione 21-acetate. Its structural formula is: Structural Formula
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.: Rifampin, Rifadin 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 capsule and injectable, 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?

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.