What it means
A rifamycin antibiotic that is a core drug for active and latent tuberculosistoo-ber-kyoo-LOH-sisAn infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most often attacks the lungs.tubercul/o small swelling-osis abnormal conditionFull entry , taken with drugs such as isoniazideye-soh-NY-uh-zidAn antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis and to keep latent tuberculosis from becoming active.Full entry . It is also used to prevent meningococcal infection in close contacts. It turns urine, sweat, tears and saliva red-orange, can harm the liver, and speeds up the breakdown of many other drugs, including birth control pills, warfarin and some HIV medicines. Rifampicin is its international name.
For the nurse
Teach the client to take it on an empty stomach, every day for the whole course, to expect orange body fluids (which can stain soft contact lenses), to use a non-hormonal backup birth control method, and to report yellow skin, dark urine or loss of appetite.
At a glance
| Drug class | antitubercular (rifamycin antibiotic) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Rifadin, Rimactane |
| Spanish | rifampicina |
| Also written | rifampicin, Rifadin, Rimactane |
Related terms
antibiotic
A drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.
tuberculosis
An infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most often attacks the lungs.
isoniazid
An antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis and to keep latent tuberculosis from becoming active.