Rifapentine Side Effects

Some side effects of rifapentine may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to rifapentine: oral tablet

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking rifapentine: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• blood in your urine;

• pale skin, weakness, easy bruising or bleeding; or

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.

Less serious side effects of rifapentine may include:

• red, orange, or brown discoloration of your skin, tears, sweat, saliva, urine, or stools;

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite;

• stomach pain;

• headache;

• joint pain; or

• mild skin rash or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to rifapentine: oral tablet

General

In general, there are no data concerning the adverse effects of rifapentine in monotherapy. The following adverse effects have been reported during treatment in the intensive phase (i.e., rifapentine 2 times a week and isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol daily for 2 months) and the continuation phase (i.e., rifapentine and isoniazid once a week for 4 months) in a clinical study in which 361 patients were randomized to the rifapentine regimen.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included neutropenia (12.5%), lymphopenia (12.7%), anemia (12.2%), leukopenia (6.6%), thrombocytosis (5.5%), leukocytosis (3%), neutrophilia (2.5%), thrombocytopenia (2.5%), polycythemia (2.2%), and lymphadenopathy (1.1%). Lymphocytosis, hematoma, purpura, hypochromic anemia, normocytic anemia, and thrombosis have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included hyperuricemia (31.9), hypoglycemia (10%), hyperkalemia (9.1%), increased nonprotein nitrogen (3.9%), hyperglycemia (3.6%), increased lactate dehydrogenase (1.4%), and hyperphosphatemia (1.4%). Weight decrease, diabetes mellitus, increased alkaline phosphatase, hypophosphatemia, hypercalcemia, hypovolemia, and weight increase have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Hyperuricemia was most likely related to pyrazinamide as only 2 cases were reported during the continuation phase, when pyrazinamide was no longer part of the regimen.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included proteinuria (13%), pyuria (21.6%), urinary tract infection (13.3%), urinary casts (8%), cystitis (1.7%), and hematuria (17.7%). Urethral disorder, dysuria, pyelonephritis, urinary incontinence, urination disorder, penis disorder, vaginitis, vaginal hemorrhage, positive cervical smear test, leukorrhea, male mastitis, prostatic disorder, and abortion have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included hemoptysis (8.3%), coughing (8%), upper respiratory tract infection (4.7%), bronchitis (2.5%), pharyngitis (1.9%), epistaxis (1.4%), and pleuritis (1.1%). Abnormal breath sounds, pneumothorax, pneumonia, pleural effusion, rhinitis, dyspnea, pneumonitis, sinusitis, increased sputum, pulmonary fibrosis, upper respiratory congestion, asthma, abnormal chest x-ray, bronchospasm, laryngeal edema, laryngitis, and respiratory disorder have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Immunologic

Immunologic side effects have included influenza (7.8%), tuberculosis infection (2.5%), infection (1.4%), and herpes zoster (1.1%). Fungal infection, parasitic infection, and protozoan infection have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included elevated ALT (6.9%) and AST (5.8%). Bilirubinemia, hepatomegaly, jaundice, and hepatitis have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Other

Other side effects have included back pain (6.9%), pain (6.1%), chest pain (5.5%), accident injury (4.7%), abdominal pain (1.9%), fever (1.4%), fatigue (1.1%), dependent edema (1.1%), at least one case of influenza-like syndrome, and orange-red discoloration of body tissues and/or fluids (e.g., skin, teeth, tongue, urine, tears, sputum, saliva, feces, sweat, and cerebral spinal fluid). Abnormal laboratory test, legs edema, asthenia, face edema, abscess, peripheral edema, malaise, ear disorder not specified, otitis media, earache, otitis externa, and tympanic membrane perforation have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included increased sweating (6.4%), rash (6.1%), pruritus (3.6%), acne (2.5%), skin disorder (1.4%), maculopapular rash (1.7%), and eczema (1.1%). Skin ulceration, urticaria, dry skin, furunculosis, skin discoloration, fungal dermatitis, nail disorder, alopecia, and erythematous rash have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Gastrointestinal

Clostridium difficile should be suspected in any patient who develops persistent or severe diarrhea following rifapentine therapy.

Gastrointestinal side effects have included anorexia (5.8%), nausea (2.5%), vomiting (2.5%), dyspepsia (2.8%), constipation (1.9%), diarrhea (1.9%), and hemorrhoids (1.4%). Tooth disorder, gastroenteritis, gastritis, esophagitis, cheilitis, dry mouth, pancreatitis, proctitis, salivary gland enlargement, tenesmus, and gastrointestinal disorder not specified have been reported in less than 1% of patients. Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea has been reported with almost all antibiotics, including the rifamycins.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included headache (3.9%), dizziness (1.7%), tremor (1.4%), and insomnia (1.1%). Somnolence, seizure not specified, dysphonia, hypoesthesia, torticollis, hypertonia, hyporeflexia, meningitis, migraine headache, stupor, and taste loss have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included arthralgia (4.4%), arthritis (1.1%), arthrosis (1.1%), and gout (1.1%). Myalgia, myositis, bone fracture, muscle weakness, and muscle spasm have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included hypertension (1.7%). Syncope, tachycardia, palpitation, orthostatic hypotension, pericarditis, deep thrombophlebitis, vascular disorder, and vasodilation have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Ocular

Ocular side effects have included conjunctivitis (2.5%). Eye pain and eye abnormality have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included anxiety, confusion, drug abuse, aggressive reaction, and agitation in less than 1% of patients.

Oncologic

Oncologic side effects have included pulmonary carcinoma, neoplasm not specified, carcinoma, and lipoma in less than 1% of patients.

Renal

Renal side effects have included increased BUN (less than 1%).

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.