Rifampin and Headaches: What Users Say

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2025

For Tuberculosis, Latent "Really bad headaches the day after taking it and consistent nausea, dry heaves the next day. I've tried taking it in the morning, my nights and the next few days are horrible. I've tried taking it at night, the next day waking up vomiting. Not sure if I will continue this treatment. My skin is also quite itchy and more sensitive, no hives yet, but definitely itchy. This is only my third week of taking 900 mg every seven days. By the time the symptoms begin to subside, it is time to take the medication again. This really blows!! Urine is orange after day 2, lasts for like 2 days. I don't know if it's effective or not, as I didn't have symptoms of TB and believed to have had a false positive T spot, being treated for latent TB because he says I am high risk due to my employment and probably was exposed. I truly like the fact that I am being treated, but now I am wondering if I am having these major headaches and nausea so early because perhaps it really was a false negative."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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 an empty stomach, 2 hours later, I felt nausea and lightheaded. I ate and took a nap on my lunchtime, then woke up groggy, and now I have a headache as I type this. Advil, okay? How can you function with all the side effects?"

• 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."

• 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!"