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.

Mechanism of action:

Rifampicin inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in bacterial cells by binding its beta subunit, thus preventing transcription of messenger RNA (mRNA) and subsequent translation to proteins.

 

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In case of an emergency/overdose