Question

Does Rifampin have good toxicity?

Answer 1

Rifampin

Rifampin antibiotic used to prevent and treat tuberculosis and other infections. This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections not work for viral infections

Side effects

Person with nausea, do not take antacids with rifampin as it lessen the effectiveness of rifampin. Take antacids atleast 1 hour after taking this drug

Rifampin cause temporary discoloration of teeth, sweat, urine, saliva, and tears (a yellow, orange, red, or brown color where as it is not harmful.

Stopping the medicine suddenly and starting again may cause kidney problems.

Blood tests: Rifampin is usually given until lab tests show that the infection has cleared. Frequent blood tests are done while using rifampin .Drug-screening urine test may have false results so further observations are required.

Overdose can cause worsening symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, itching, headache, lack of energy leading to loss of consciousness, and dark or discolored skin, saliva, tears, urine, or stools.

Precautions - Avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase the risk of liver damage. Avoid wearing contact lenses as it Rifampin may discolor tears, which could permanently stain soft contact lenses.

During allergic reaction Emergency medical help require if signs such as rash, feeling light-headed, wheezing, difficult breathing, swelling in face or throat or a severe skin reaction ,fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

Hepatotoxicity

Long term therapy with rifampin is associated with minor, transient elevations in serum aminotransferase levels in 10% to 20% of patients, abnormalities that usually do not require dose adjustment or discontinuation. Rifampin has unusual and paradoxical effects on serum bilirubin levels. In most patients, serum bilirubin levels increase during the first few days of rifampin therapy, and then decrease to baseline. LD50=1570 mg/kg (rat), chronic exposure may cause nausea and vomiting and unconsciousness. Hepatic toxicity is dose related and has been observed in patients with liver disease and the immunoallergic effects are usually associated with intermittent or prolonged therapy. Patients with significant underlying liver disease such as cirrhosis may get effected by rifampin.These immunoallergic effects may be minor cutaneous, gastrointestinal, or influenzalike syndrome or major symptom like hemolytic anemia, shock, or acute renal failure

Symptoms of Rifampin dosage

Liver toxicity—hepatitis, liver failure in severe cases, Respiratory—breathlessnessCutaneous—flushing, pruritus, rash, hyperpigmentation, redness and watering of eyes. Abdominal — nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea. Flu-like symptoms—chills, fever, headache, arthralgia, and malaise. Rifampicin has good penetration into the brain, and this may directly explain some malaise and dysphoria in a minority of users. Allergic reaction—rashes, itching, swelling of the tongue or throat, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing

In the United States Public Health intermittent therapy with high doses of rifampicin has been associated with increased toxicity, but its nature is quite distinct from the hepatotoxicity that is most common in daily dosed rifampicin therapy. Intermittent high doses of rifampicin (1200 mg twice weekly with 900 mg of isoniazid) led to rifampicin sensitization and antibody formation and hence discontinued treatment after developing mostly fever, thrombocytopenia, or renal failure and leads to flu-like syndrome.