Rifampin
Rifampin is a rifamycin antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis and to clear meningococcal bacteria from the throat, sold here as capsules in 150mg, 300mg, 450mg and 600mg strengths.
What rifampin capsules are for
Rifampin belongs to the rifamycin family of antibiotics and is one of the main medicines used against tuberculosis (TB), an infection that usually starts in the lungs. It is not used alone for TB — it works alongside other TB antibiotics, because the bacteria can become resistant to a single drug quite quickly. Treatment for active TB runs for at least six months; people who carry the TB germ without symptoms (latent TB) take it for three to six months.
Its other well-known job is clearing Neisseria meningitidis from the nose and throat of healthy carriers, so the bacteria are not passed on to others. Some serious staphylococcal infections are treated with rifampin as well, always with a second antibiotic.
How rifampin works, and how to take it
Rifampin blocks an enzyme that bacteria need in order to build proteins, so they cannot grow or multiply. Human cells rely on a different enzyme, which is why the effect falls on the bacteria.
Rifampin is usually taken once a day for TB. The capsule is swallowed whole with a full glass of water, ideally before a meal, since food in the stomach slows absorption; a person who feels sick after the dose can take it with a little food instead.
TB symptoms fade long before the bacteria are gone. A course dropped at that stage gives the survivors room to return, sometimes in a form that is harder to treat.
Orange-red urine and other side effects
Urine, sweat, tears and saliva often turn orange or red while rifampin is being taken. The colour is harmless and disappears after the last capsule. Nausea, stomach pain, heartburn, headache, dizziness and diarrhoea are the effects people notice most.
The liver is the organ to watch. Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, and tiredness or loss of appetite that will not settle point to liver trouble and need prompt attention. Sudden swelling of the lips or throat, or difficulty breathing, is an emergency.
Medicines that rifampin affects
Rifampin makes the liver break down many other medicines faster, so their levels fall and they may stop working. The combined pill and the progestogen-only pill are the classic examples, and a second method of contraception is usually used alongside. Warfarin, some HIV medicines, and some treatments for diabetes and fungal infections are affected in the same way.
The capsules sold here
The rifampin sold here is Rifampin capsules — plain capsules in 150mg, 300mg, 450mg and 600mg, part of the antibiotics range. All four are the same capsule; what changes is the amount of rifampin, which is matched to the infection being treated and, in children, to body weight.
Sources
- Tuberculosis (TB) - NHS — NHS
- About Tuberculosis - CDC — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Where can I order Rifampin for delivery in Hong Kong?
Rifampin can be ordered online from PockDose for delivery to Hong Kong. The page lists plain Rifampin capsules in 150mg, 300mg, 450mg and 600mg. Orders leave in plain, unbranded packaging, with nothing on the outside to say what is inside.
How are Rifampin prices shown?
Rifampin is priced per pack: its page lists every strength and pack size with the current price in HKD or your chosen currency.
Do I need a prescription to order Rifampin?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order rifampin. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What brand names does rifampin have?
Rifampin is sold under brand names including Rifadin. Here, rifampin can be bought online as rifampin capsules. These are generics, not the original brand.
How long do you take rifampin for?
It depends on the infection. Active tuberculosis is treated for at least six months, latent TB for three to six months, while clearing meningococcal bacteria from the throat takes only a few days. TB courses are long because the bacteria are slow to clear and can return if treatment stops early.
Can I take rifampin with food?
Rifampin is best taken on an empty stomach, so leave a gap between the capsule and a meal. If it makes you feel sick, taking it with food is an accepted alternative and the course can still be completed. Swallow the capsule whole with water rather than chewing it.
Does rifampin affect the contraceptive pill?
Yes. Rifampin speeds up the liver's handling of the combined pill and the progestogen-only pill, so they may not protect against pregnancy during a course. A second method, such as condoms, is usually used alongside. Some other hormonal medicines are affected in the same way.
Does rifampin stain contact lenses?
Soft contact lenses can pick up the orange colour permanently, even though the same colour in urine and tears is harmless and fades once the course ends. Wearing glasses instead for the duration of treatment avoids the problem.
Is rifampicin the same as rifampin?
Yes, one antibiotic with two spellings. Rifampicin is the international and UK name and rifampin the US one. The capsules on this page are labelled rifampin.