About rifapentine
Rifamycin antibiotic
Used for
- Treats tuberculosis as part of combination therapy.
- Prevents active tuberculosis in people with latent infection, with other medicines.
Usual adult dose
Active tuberculosis: 600 mg once weekly with other tuberculosis medicines during continuation therapy. Latent infection: 900 mg once weekly for 12 weeks with isoniazid.
Usual dose in children
For latent infection in children aged 2 years and older: 900 mg once weekly for 12 weeks with isoniazid; dosing is weight-based and capped at 900 mg.
Common side effects
- Orange-red discoloration of urine, tears, sweat, or other body fluids
- Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal discomfort
- Rash or itching
- Flu-like symptoms, fever, or chills
Important warnings
- Must be used with other medicines for tuberculosis; resistance can develop if used alone.
- Can cause liver injury; risk may increase with isoniazid or alcohol.
- May cause severe allergic reactions or low blood cell counts.
- Can discolor soft contact lenses and bodily fluids.
Pregnancy
Use only when clearly needed; rifapentine may reduce hormonal contraceptive effectiveness. Seek specialist guidance for tuberculosis treatment during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
Rifapentine passes into breast milk; use only when needed. Orange-red discoloration of breast milk may occur.
Interactions
- Strongly induces drug-metabolizing enzymes and can reduce many medicines' effects.
- May reduce effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives; use a nonhormonal method.
- Can interact with anticoagulants, antiretrovirals, antifungals, and transplant medicines.
- Antacids may reduce absorption; separate administration by at least one hour.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.