What is Rifabutin?
Rifabutin is an antibacterial.Rifabutin prevents mycobacterium avium (MAC) infection in HIV-positive people (human immunodeficiency viruses).Rifabutin can also be used in combination with other drugs to treat TB among people living with HIV.Rifabutin can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Rifabutin
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, hives or facial, lip or throat swelling. Please seek medical help immediately!
Rifabutin can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, watery or bleeding;
- If you have severe redness of the eye or small white or yellow spots on your eye surface, then this is what you should be looking for.
- Low white blood cell counts include fever, swollen or painful gums, sores on the skin, sores when you swallow, flu symptoms, a cough, and difficulty breathing.
Rifabutin can cause a variety of side effects.
- If you notice a red, orange, or brown color on your skin or in tears, saliva, urine, or stools, then it is likely that the cause of this discoloration is due to sweat, tears, saliva, or urine.
- Gas, burping, upset stomach;
- Is a rash
- Muscle pain.
There may be other side effects. Need medical advice regarding side effects? For assistance on this matter, speak to your physician immediately.The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
Ciprofloxacin, Azthromycin, Zithromax, Clarithromycin, Rifampin, Isoniazid, and Biaxin
Warnings
Rifabutin should not be used if you suffer from active tuberculosis or are taking delavirdine or voriconazole.
Before you take this drug
If you are allergic or have any of the following:
- Active tuberculosis
- If you have an allergy to rifapentine or rifampin,
Tell your doctor about any tuberculosis you may have had, anyone in your family who has it, or recent travels to an area with high tuberculosis rates.
Some medications can interact with rifabutin, and they should not be taken at the same time. If you are taking:
- Delavirdine;
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that rifabutin will not harm you:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- A history of a condition known as uveitis
It is not believed that rifabutin will harm a baby in utero. Inform your doctor immediately if you are expecting, planning, or hoping to become pregnant.Rifabutin may make birth control pills ineffective. Ask your doctor if you can use non-hormonal birth controls to prevent pregnancy.Rifabutin does not pass into breast milk. It is also unknown if it can harm a baby who is nursing. This medicine should not be taken while breastfeeding.
How to take Rifabutin?
Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Take this medication only as prescribed. Do not exceed the recommended dosage or take it for a longer time.If you have a stomach upset, rifabutin can be taken with food.You should immediately begin treatment if you experience symptoms of tuberculosis after taking rifabutin. If you are taking rifabutin and have active tuberculosis, it could cause the infection to become resistant to anti-biotics. If you experience any of the following symptoms of tuberculosis, call your doctor immediately.You may need to have frequent blood tests or chest x-rays while using rifabutin.Do not stop taking the medicine before it is completely cleared. You may experience symptoms before the infection has completely cleared. You may increase your chances of a second infection resistant to antibiotics if you skip doses. Rifabutin does not treat viral infections such as the flu and the common cold.Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature. When not in use, keep the bottle tightly shut.
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as you recall, take the missed dose. If your next scheduled dosage is approaching, skip the missed dose. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Wearing dentures or lenses is not recommended. Rifabutin can cause certain bodily fluids to turn brown, red, or orange. This includes saliva and tears. This is a harmless effect. However, stained tears or saliva can permanently stain contact lenses and dentures. Antibiotics can cause diarrhea. This could be an indication of a new illness. Call your doctor if you experience diarrhea that is bloody or watery. You should only take anti-diarrhea medication if your doctor has prescribed it.
Interaction with other drug
Rifabutin can interact with many drugs. This list does not include all possible interactions. Tell your doctor if you are taking any new medications or if you will stop using any of your current medications.
- Certain antibiotics—clarithromycin, erythromycin, and telithromycin;
- Antifungal medicine: fluconazole, itraconazole, and posaconazole;
- Hepatitis C medicine: boceprevir, simeprevir, telaprevir,
- HIV or AIDS medicine: fosamprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, and zidovudine.
This list is incomplete, and other drugs may interact with rifabutin. This includes over-the-counter and prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. List all of your medications with any healthcare professional who treats you.
