Rifabutin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 30, 2023.

Applies to rifabutin: oral capsule.

Serious side effects of Rifabutin

Along with its needed effects, rifabutin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking rifabutin:

Less common

Black, tarry stools
chest pain
chills
cough
diarrhea
fever
heartburn
indigestion
itching or skin rash
loss of appetite
loss of strength or energy
muscle pain
painful or difficult urination
sore throat
ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

Bruising or purple spots on the skin
change in taste
eye pain
joint pain
loss of vision
lower back or side pain
muscle swelling or pain
pale skin
yellow skin

Incidence not known

Burning, dry, or itching eyes
discharge, excessive tearing
hoarseness
redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
stomach cramps, pain, or tenderness
watery and severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody

Other side effects of Rifabutin

Some side effects of rifabutin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste in the mouth
belching
bloated or full feeling
discoloration of the urine
excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
headache
nausea
passing gas
trouble sleeping

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to rifabutin: oral capsule.

General

The most commonly reported side effects included discolored urine, neutropenia, leukopenia, and jaundice.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Very common (10% or more): Discolored urine (up to 30%)^[Ref]

Hematologic

The frequency and severity of hematological side effects may be increased with concomitant isoniazid use.^[Ref]

Very common (10% or more): Neutropenia (up to 25%), leukopenia (up to 17%)

Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Agranulocytosis, granulocytopenia, lymphopenia, neutrophil count decreased, pancytopenia, platelet count decreased, white blood cell count decreased

Frequency not reported: hemolysis, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, white blood cell disorder^[Ref]

Hepatic

Very common (10% or more): Jaundice (up to 12%)

Common (1% to 10%): Increased alkaline phosphatase, increased ALT, increased AST

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatic enzymes increased

Frequency not reported: Hepatitis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Rash (up to 11%)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Skin discoloration

Postmarketing reports: Urticaria^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, eructation, flatulence, gastrointestinal intolerance, nausea, nausea and vomiting, vomiting

Frequency not reported: Clostridium difficile colitis

Postmarketing reports: C difficile-associated diarrhea^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, fever, pain, pyrexia^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, taste perversion

Frequency not reported: aphasia, paresthesia, seizure^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Generalized arthralgia occurred in patients given 1050 to 2400 mg/day; symptoms abated when treatment was discontinued.^[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Myalgia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthralgia

Frequency not reported: Myositis^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain

Frequency not reported: Chest pressure, nonspecific T wave changes (on ECG), shock

Postmarketing reports: Hypotension^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia

Frequency not reported: Confusion^[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity, other hypersensitivity reactions

Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic shock

Postmarketing reports: Angioedema^[Ref]

Ocular

Uveitis occurred in patients given 1050 to 2400 mg/day; symptoms abated when treatment was discontinued.

Uveitis was rare when this drug was used as a single agent at 300 mg/day, or in combination with fluconazole and/or macrolides (e.g., clarithromycin). However, the incidence of uveitis was greater if higher doses of this drug were used with these agents. Patients who developed uveitis had mild to severe symptoms that resolved following therapy with corticosteroids and/or mydriatic eye drops; however, in some severe cases, resolution of symptoms occurred after several weeks.^[Ref]

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Corneal deposits, uveitis

Postmarketing reports: Conjunctivitis^[Ref]