What is Rifapentine?
Rifapentine is an antibacterial. Rifapentine, along with other medications, is used to treat active TB in adults and children older than 12 years. Rifapentine can also be used to prevent inactive (latent) TB from becoming active in adults and in children older than 2 years. Rifapentine should always be taken in conjunction with other anti-tuberculosis drugs. Rifapentine can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Rifapentine
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.
Rifapentine may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Diarrhoea is a condition that is bloody or watery.
- Liver problems: nausea; itching; fatigue; dark urine; and clay-colored stools. Jaundice.
- Low red blood cells (anemia)--pale or pale skin, feeling of being light-headed, shortness of breath, rapid pulse rate, difficulty concentrating,
- Low white blood cell counts: fever, swollen or painful gums, sores on the skin, sores when swallowing, flu or cold symptoms, cough, and difficulty breathing
Rifapentine may cause changes to the color of body fluids or your skin. Your skin, tears, or body fluids, such as saliva, urine, or stools, may appear red-orange. You may notice that your teeth, tongue, or inside of the mouth are also red-orange. Contact lenses and dentures can be permanently stained by this discoloration.
Rifapentine can cause the following side effects:
- Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea;
- Flu symptoms
- Joint pain, headache.
- Itching or rash
- Eye redness;
- Abnormal liver function tests
There may be other side effects. Call your physician if experiencing side effects. For medical advice regarding possible adverse reactions.The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, Levaquin, Moxifloxacin, Rifampin, Isoniazid, and Pyrazinamide
Warnings
Please read all the instructions on the label or package of your medication. Inform your healthcare provider about your medical conditions, your allergies, and the medicines you are using.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to rifapentine (Mycobutin), rifabutin, or rifampin (Rifadin (Rifadin), Rifater (Rimactane), or Rifamate), then you should avoid taking rifapentine.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that rifapentine will not harm you:
- Liver disease
- Porphyria
- HIV or AIDS
- If you have tried rifampin, isoniazid, or other drugs in the past but they did not work to treat TB,
- If you were exposed to TB and it was not treatable with rifampin, isoniazid, or a combination of both,
FDA pregnancy class C There is no information on whether rifapentine can harm an unborn child. If you plan to get pregnant or are already pregnant, tell your doctor. Birth-control pills can be less effective when taken with rifapentine. Ask your doctor if you can use non-hormonal birth controls to prevent pregnancy when taking rifapentine.
Rifapentine is not known to pass into breast milk or to harm a baby who is nursing. This medicine should not be taken while breastfeeding. Rifapentine can cause breast milk to turn red-orange. Do not administer this medicine to an infant without consulting a doctor.
How to take Rifapentine?
Do not increase or reduce the dosage, take longer or take it for more than recommended, exceed its intended use or take more than is prescribed. Only take it according to its intended purpose - do not go beyond or overstep any recommendations! Take with food You can crush the tablet of rifapentine and sprinkle it into a spoonful of pudding, applesauce, or another soft food to make swallowing easier. This mixture should be swallowed immediately.Mixture should not be saved for later use. Do not stop taking this medication before the prescribed time. If you don't take the rifapentine prescribed, your TB could get better before coming back. You may also be at risk for a new infection resistant to anti-biotics if you skip doses. Rifapentine does not treat viral infections, such as the flu and a common cold. If your symptoms don't improve or worsen while taking rifapentine, call your doctor. Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as possible after realizing you missed a dose, take it immediately. If your next scheduled dosage is close by, don't take extra medicine in an effort to catch up for what might have been missed - such action would only serve to compound problems and prolong treatment timeframes further.
What happens if I overdose?
Contact the Poison Help Hotline immediately on 1-800-222-1222 if a poisonous situation exists, or seek medical assistance immediately.
What should be avoided?
Antibiotics can cause diarrhea. This could be an indication of a new illness. Stop using rifapentine if you experience diarrhea that is bloody or watery. Call your doctor. You should only use anti-diarrhea medication if your doctor has prescribed it.
Interaction with other drug
Rifapentine can interact with many drugs, including prescription and OTC medicines, herbal products, and vitamins. Inform your healthcare providers of all the medicines you are taking and those you plan to take.
