Rifampicin is an antibiotic that is commonly used together with other medications for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB).
Tuberculosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. You can get infected by breathing in droplets containing this bacterium that are sprayed into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
There are two types of tuberculosis:
2. Latent TB
You might have to take the medication for six to nine months. For active tuberculosis, the first two months usually consists of a combination of the four medications stated above, and the remaining four to seven months is completed using the two medications, Rifampicin and Isoniazid. Do not miss any dose of medication. This may lead to a relapse or worsening of tuberculosis, or a condition with a more resistant form of tuberculosis. In such cases, a longer duration of treatment or use of stronger medications may be needed.
Depending on your condition, you may need to attend Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) sessions to help you complete your course of treatment. DOT refers to a healthcare worker or trained volunteer supervising the patient taking each dose of tuberculosis medications. The number of DOT sessions can range from once a day to three times a week.
You may notice orange-red discolouration of bodily fluids such as urine, tears and sweat.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and seek immediate medical attention:
There are some tests that are required to better monitor and manage possible side effects from treatment of tuberculosis. These include:
Before starting TB treatment, inform your healthcare professional if:
For the oral liquid formulation, follow the expiry date as stated on the medication label.
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.