Mycobutin Side Effects

Generic name: rifabutin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 24, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Mycobutin.

Applies to rifabutin: oral capsule Side Effects associated with rifabutin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Mycobutin.

Applies to rifabutin: oral capsule.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Do not take this medicine together with delavirdine (Rescriptor®) or voriconazole (Vfend®).

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, angioedema, or certain skin conditions, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, fever or chills, diarrhea, fast heartbeat, joint or muscle pain, red, irritated eyes, sore throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, large, hive-like swelling of the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs, tightness in the chest, or unusual tiredness or weakness while you are using this medicine.

Rifabutin will cause your urine, stools, saliva, skin, sputum, sweat, and tears to turn reddish-orange to brown-orange. This is to be expected while you are taking this medicine. This effect may cause soft contact lenses to become permanently discolored. Standard cleaning solutions may not take out all the discoloration. It is best not to wear soft contact lenses while taking this medicine. Hard contact lenses are not discolored by rifabutin (the active ingredient contained in Mycobutin) If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Check with your doctor immediately if blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

This medicine may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. If you have any questions or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Check with your doctor right away if you have black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin, chest pain, chills, cough, diarrhea, itching, joint or muscle pain, painful or difficult urination, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, swollen glands, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These may be symptoms of serious skin reactions (eg, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)).

Rifabutin can lower the number of white blood cells in your blood temporarily, increasing the chance of getting infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. These problems may result in a greater chance of getting certain infections, slow healing, and bleeding of the gums. Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Dental work should be delayed until your blood counts have returned to normal. Check with your medical doctor or dentist if you have any questions about proper oral hygiene (mouth care) during treatment.

Birth control pills may not work properly if you take them while you are taking rifabutin. Unplanned pregnancies may occur. Use a different means of birth control while you are taking rifabutin. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Mycobutin

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:

Other side effects of Mycobutin

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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to rifabutin: oral capsule.

Cardiovascular adverse events

• Frequency not reported: Nonspecific T wave changes on ECG

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash (up to 11%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Skin discoloration
• Frequency not reported: Severe cutaneous adverse reactions
• Postmarketing reports: Rash, skin discoloration, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms [DRESS], severe cutaneous adverse reactions

There have been reports of DRESS and other severe cutaneous adverse reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis) associated with this drug.

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, gastrointestinal intolerance/symptoms, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, eructation, flatulence, nausea and vomiting, vomiting
• Postmarketing reports: Clostridioides difficile associated diarrhea, C difficile colitis

Rifamycin Class Antibiotics:

• Frequency not reported: C difficile colitis

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Discolored urine (up to 30%)

Hematologic

• 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%): Pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, lymphopenia, granulocytopenia, decreased WBC count, decreased neutrophil count, decreased platelet count
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hemolysis
• Frequency not reported: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, blood/lymphatic system disorders
• Postmarketing reports: WBC disorders, decreased platelet count, eosinophilia

Neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count less than 750/mm3), leukopenia (WBC values less than 1500/mm3), anemia (hemoglobin values less than 8 g/dL), and thrombocytopenia (platelet count values less than 50,000/mm3) have been reported in 25%, 17%, 6%, and 5% of patients, respectively.

WBC disorders included agranulocytosis, leukopenia, lymphopenia, granulocytopenia, neutropenia, decreased WBC count, and decreased neutrophil count.

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Jaundice (up to 12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Increased AST, increased ALT
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased hepatic enzymes
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hepatitis
• Frequency not reported: Abnormal liver function tests

Increased AST (greater than 150 units/L) and ALT (greater than 150 units/L) have been reported in 9% and 7% of patients, respectively.

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity
• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity

Rifamycin Class Antibiotics:

• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic shock
• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity to rifamycins have been reported, including influenza-like symptoms, bronchospasm, hypotension, urticaria, angioedema, conjunctivitis, thrombocytopenia, or neutropenia.

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Myalgia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthralgia
• Frequency not reported: Myositis, generalized arthralgia

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, taste perversion
• Frequency not reported: Seizure, paresthesia, aphasia

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Uveitis, corneal deposits

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Pyrexia, asthenia, chest pain, fever, pain
• Frequency not reported: Influenza-like syndrome, chest pressure/pain, increased alkaline phosphatase

Chest pressure or pain with dyspnea has been reported.

Increased alkaline phosphatase (greater than 450 units/L) has been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia
• Frequency not reported: Confusion

Respiratory

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bronchospasm
• Frequency not reported: Dyspnea
• Postmarketing reports: Bronchospasm

See also:

Further information

Mycobutin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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