Rifampin User Reviews & Ratings

• Lat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2019

For Tuberculosis, Latent "I have been started on Rifampin 600 mg every day for 4 months for latent TB. The first week was okay, but starting the second week, I’ve had a severe headache and sore throat. I had to be rushed to the ER due to the severe pain in my head and neck with difficulty in swallowing. A CT scan showed that I have enlarged lymph nodes on both sides of my neck. My blood sugar is also elevated. The doctor prescribed me Motrin as needed for my headache, and it has been working. It is true that Rifampin treatment is a tough one. I’m happy for those who experience only minor side effects. Please do pray for me. Thank you."

• CAc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2020

For Tuberculosis, Latent "I was on this medication for 4 months for latent tuberculosis, not terrible at all and way better than the other 9-month treatment. Only side effects I experienced were the color change of fluids, some lightheadedness, and minor arthritis pain."

• tur...
• April 25, 2016

For Tuberculosis, Latent "I've been on Rifampin for one month, and I've had all sorts of side effects. Some days I'm fine, other days, not so much. At night, I break out in sweats, I got thrush, so I had to take medicine for that. I go to the doctor in a couple of days, and I need to find out if I can stop it. I don't want to go through this for three more months."

• LWD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2015

For Tuberculosis, Latent "I just finished a 4-month regimen of Rifampin. It was prescribed when I was tested for TB in preparation for starting on a biologic for rheumatoid arthritis. I have no idea how/when I was exposed to TB, but I couldn't start the biologic until the latent TB was addressed. I will never know if it was 'effective' since I will always test positive for TB antigens, but I'm glad I took it-I didn't have much of a choice! It was not an easy medication to take, but I got through the course of treatment better than I anticipated. I did have slight nausea at the beginning and intermittent watery diarrhea throughout. I don't know if the other side effects (fatigue, primarily) I experienced were side effects of Rifampin or symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis."

• Anonymous
• September 17, 2011

For Tuberculosis, Latent "This is a very intense antibiotic with persistent side effects. I have been on this medication for one month and continue to experience nausea and vomiting. I have been fortunate to not experience reddening of my saliva or tears, but other body fluids have changed. My hepatic enzymes have more than doubled baseline values and continue to climb. It does its job well, but it is a tough 4 months to get through."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2021

For Tuberculosis, Latent "I took this for a few months about 3 years ago now for suspected latent TB I contracted after a holiday in Thailand. I was quite apprehensive, but I had no serious side effects. Your urine is a bit of an alarm color when you first see it! Had a minor freak-out the first time. Pills are big, think I had some pins and needles in my feet, I can't really remember anything else of note, maybe some upset stomach. The only major difficulty I recall was not being able to drink alcohol, eat cured meats, tomatoes, or cheese, which was hard for me! I did forget a few times and realized while eating a cheese sandwich, it's then when you notice how strong it is, especially with cheese, sour cream, etc. - it made me feel faint, a bit like a small panic attack. Very weird! As I recall, it suddenly raises your blood pressure if you eat certain things, so do pay attention to the diet advice! All in all, miles better than I expected, and about a 1000 times better than having TB. Best wishes."

• GMC...
• February 7, 2013

For Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, Treatment "Currently on rifampin therapy along with ethambutol, Zithromax, IV amikacin, and Prilosec for the MAC. Experiencing numerous side effects to include diarrhea, nausea, intermittent episodes of severe vomiting, extreme fatigue, headaches (almost all the time), dizziness, double vision, generalized body aches, and severe cramps in my extremities. It is hard to tell which drug is the culprit. I have experienced two incidents of elevated liver enzymes, which have returned back to within normal limits so far. At this point in my therapy, there has been no documented improvement, but I am told to expect it to take up to two years of therapy for a cure. I will update my experience as time progresses."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 24, 2022

For Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, Treatment "I took rifampin plus azithromycin and ethambutol for 17 months. Rifampin in the morning, then lunch later. Then the other two drugs at around 3 PM, dinner at 6. I tolerated these drugs well, had the itching, burning, wave of night sweats, but kept going. Then, a week ago, after taking the rifampin, I had a serious headache plus the wave of sweats that would not ease up. I felt dizzy, nauseous, with pain in my back and stomach. This lasted all day into the night, and I kept drinking water to flush it out. By 4 AM, I felt some relief, and after communicating with the doctor, I stopped taking all the meds. My potassium level is elevated from the last blood work. Now I’m praying the MAC does not come back. I wish all of us well."

• Anonymous
• January 26, 2012

For Tuberculosis, Latent "Although it makes my urine a darker yellow/orangish color, I rarely experience significant side effects. Occasionally, it will upset my stomach, but once you eat, that goes away. The hardest part is sticking to the schedule, but I'd rather worry about that for 4 months than 9 or more."

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2011

For Bartonellosis "Wonderful antibiotic for Bartonellosis! Few side effects compared to some other antibiotics. High bilirubin levels is usually transient and just needs to be monitored. Has a very short half-life compared to Mycobutin but far less chance of getting a serious side effect. Much easier and less serious side effects than Bactrim."

• Mon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2020

For Tuberculosis, Latent "I was advised to take the rifampin treatment 3 weeks ago for latent TB, and I am still taking it. My experience was terrible. I have a fever every day, nerve pain, I vomit, headache, and I also lose my appetite. Hope I will feel better, please pray for me."

• GON...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 5, 2017

For Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, Treatment "This is my update from the previous comment; I've been on this drug, 3 150 mg caps daily, since 10/2012, with a 6-month break after 2 years, at which time I regressed and had to be restarted on it; there are side effects I listed in the previous review; my diarrhea is better; fast heart rate; currently experiencing high feelings of anxiety, intermittent fever and chills; periodic severe left side pain in the pancreas area; increased lethargy, weakness, painful joints, especially hips, knees, and finger joints; weight of 85 lbs; are newer and becoming a bit problematic, but I was advised when taken off my drugs for 6 months, that if I require restarting therapy, I would remain on them for life. I'm at the end of my 5th year now! I tend to require hospitalization each November."

• aya...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2020

For Tuberculosis, Latent "I have been on Rifampin for three months now for TB, and I have one month left. The side effects of the medication are not severe, but they are annoying. At first, I noticed a decreased appetite, but that lasted only a month. I do, however, continue to have upper stomach pain and a feeling of extreme fullness after almost every meal (I take an OTC antacid and gas relief pill, and that helps relieve some of the pain). I have developed a pretty bad acne rash on my forehead that was never there before I started Rifampin. I have also noticed frequent lightheadedness after standing up, which never happened before this medication. Lastly, I have experienced a weight loss of about 15 lbs since starting Rifampin. Overall, the medication is bearable, but it has been annoying, and I will be happy when I no longer have to take it."

• Jil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2021

For Tuberculosis, Latent "My first day of R, diagnosed with latent TB. I took mine on empty stomach 2 hours later, I felt nausea and lightheaded. I ate and I took nap on my lunch time, then woke up groggy, and now I have a headache as I type this. Advil ok ? How can you functions with all the side effects?"

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2020

For Tuberculosis, Latent "Diagnosed with latent TB. So I took the 4 month treatment option 600 mg dosage thinking that would be the easy route. After a week , I had constant diarrhea and developed hives skin rash. Also developed joint pain around ankles and behind my knees. I told the doctor and immediately stopped taking Rifampin. It's been 4 weeks since that time, the hives are still there but luckily no more diarrhea and joint pain have lessened."

• Tja...
• November 11, 2016

For Nasal Carriage of Staphylococcus aureus "I am finishing up a six-week cycle of rifampin in 6 days, and all I have to say is about 2 weeks into the cycle, I started to develop severe leg pain in my Achilles tendon area that has progressively gotten worse, so bad I have had thoughts of calling 911 in the middle of the night due to the severe 10/10 pain. Has anyone else experienced pain in their foot, leg, or even arms and hands while taking rifampin?"

• Min...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2020

For Tuberculosis, Latent "I was prescribed Rifampin in January of 2020 for latent TB. I have about 3 more weeks. When I first started taking it I only had headaches. The headaches subsided. As the months go by it gets worse. I now have no appetite, consistent diarrhea, extreme fatigue and nausea. I had to take this medication to be able to continue taking my RA medication. I will be so glad when this is over. It seems as if there is nothing that can be done."

• Bad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2021

For Tuberculosis, Latent "This was a follow up to my previous review. In case anyone experiences this in the future turns out it was oral thrush developed either because of rifampin or my use of eye steroid drops. Rifampin after a few days did however elevate my thyroid levels. I do not plan on taking this medication in the near future only if the need is absolutely required."

• Tb ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2019

For Tuberculosis, Active "I have been on rifampin for 3 months for my tuberculosis, and I have not experienced any negative side effects. I've felt really great with more energy."

• thi...
• April 15, 2010

Rifadin (rifampin) for Tuberculosis, Prophylaxis "This is very helpful to me. Thanks."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2020

For Tuberculosis, Latent "Prescribed rifampin for latent TB infection. The first month the only side effect was headaches. Followed by insomnia, fatigue and the odd severe stomach cramp. Not a particularly nice drug!"