About Rifampin

This new site is dedicated exclusively to rifampin, also known as rifampicin.

It provides you with the most extensive product information and up-to-date resources regarding this medication, including related news articles, medical studies, an image library and all the necessary information on dosage and side effects.

Whether you are an average consumer or a pharma industry professional, you can now find out everything you need to know about  rifampin on this reference site, as well as take part in our open discussion forum by sharing your own knowledge and experience with people who are using this medication.

This unique site will also offer inside industry news on which companies or organizations are playing an important part in its research, development, production and promotion. It is your one-stop site for a total  rifampin experience! 

Why is this medication prescribed?

Rifampin or rifampicin (USAN) is a bacteriocidal antibiotic drug of the rifamycin group. It is a semisynthetic compound derived from Streptomyces mediterranei, and may be abbreviated as RIF, RMP, RD or R.

This medication is typically used to treat mycobacterium infections, including tuberculosis and leprosy, has a role in the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in combination with fusidic acid, and is also used in prophylactic therapy against Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal) infection.

Additionally, this medication is also used to treat listeria species, neisseria gonorrhoeae, haemophilus influenzae and legionella pneumophila. For these non-standard indications, sensitivity testing should be done (if possible) before starting rifampicin therapy. Rifampicin resistance develops quickly during treatment and rifampicin monotherapy should not be used to treat these infections – it should be used in combination with other antibiotics.

Furthermore, enterobacteriaceae, acinetobacter and pseudomonas species are intrinsically resistant to rifampicin. This means that rifampicin will prevent you from spreading these bacteria to other people, but will not be effective in treating any infections caused by them.

In the US, rifampicin is marketed as Rifadin® (Aventis) and Rimactane® (Novartis). 

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