Rifampin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 29, 2024.

For healthcare professionals

Applies to rifampin: compounding powder, intravenous powder for injection, oral capsule.

Dermatologic adverse events

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Serious cutaneous reactions
• Frequency not reported: Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome, erythema multiforme, face edema, itching with/without rash, mild cutaneous reactions, pemphigoid reaction, pruritus, rash, self-limiting cutaneous reactions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, urticaria^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity reactions
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity reactions included acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis, hematuria, hemoglobinuria, hemolysis, interstitial nephritis, renal insufficiency, and serious cutaneous reactions.^[Ref]

Renal

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis, interstitial nephritis, renal insufficiency
• Frequency not reported: Blood urea nitrogen elevations^[Ref]

Acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis, interstitial necrosis, renal insufficiency were hypersensitivity reactions and usually occurred during intermittent therapy or during the resumption of intentional/accidental interruption of a daily dosage regimen. The effects were usually reversible when treatment was discontinued and appropriate therapy was instituted.^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Disseminated intravascular coagulation, hemolysis, thrombocytopenia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Agranulocytosis
• Frequency not reported: Decreased hemoglobin, eosinophilia, hemolytic anemia, leukopenia^[Ref]

Thrombocytopenia usually occurred with high-dose intermittent therapy, but has occurred with well-supervised daily therapy and after resumption of interrupted treatment; the effect is reversible if treatment is discontinued as soon as purpura occurs.

Hemolysis was a hypersensitivity reaction and usually occurred during intermittent therapy or during the resumption of intentional/accidental interruption of a daily dosage regimen. This effect was usually reversible when treatment was discontinued and appropriate therapy was instituted.^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Abnormal liver function tests, hepatitis, shock-like syndrome with hepatic involvement
• Frequency not reported: Jaundice, transient liver function test abnormalities, serum bilirubin elevations, serum transaminase elevations^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hematuria, hemoglobinuria
• Frequency not reported: Menstrual disturbances^[Ref]

Hematuria and hemoglobinuria were hypersensitivity reactions and usually occurred during intermittent therapy or during the resumption of intentional/accidental interruption of a daily dosage regimen. The effects were usually reversible when treatment was discontinued and appropriate therapy was instituted.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Myopathy
• Frequency not reported: Bone pain, extremity pain, muscular weakness^[Ref]

Bone pain was included in flu syndrome, and occurred in patients receiving intermittent regimens; however, this event may occur in patients taking this drug irregularly or if daily administration is resumed after a drug-free interval.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Psychoses
• Frequency not reported: Behavioral changes, mental confusion^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Adrenal insufficiency^[Ref]

Adrenal insufficiency occurred in patients with compromised adrenal function.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Frequency not reported: Cramps, diarrhea, epigastric distress, flatulence, heartburn, nausea, pseudomembranous colitis, sore mouth, sore tongue, tooth discoloration/permanent tooth discoloration, vomiting^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Frequency not reported: Ataxia, cerebral hemorrhage, dizziness, drowsiness, generalized numbness, headache, inability to concentrate^[Ref]

Cerebral hemorrhage occurred in patients who continued or resumed treatment after the appearance of purpura.

Dizziness and headache were included in flu syndrome, and occurred in patients receiving intermittent regimens; however, the events may occur in patients taking this drug irregularly or if daily administration is resumed after a drug-free interval.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Decreased blood pressure, extremity edema, flushing with/without rash, shock, vasculitis^[Ref]

Decreased blood pressure and shock were included in flu syndrome, and occurred in patients receiving intermittent regimens; however, the events may occur in patients taking this drug irregularly or if daily administration is resumed after a drug-free interval.^[Ref]

Other

• Frequency not reported: Chills, fatalities, fatigue, fever^[Ref]

Chills and fever were included in flu syndrome, and occurred in patients receiving intermittent regimens; however, the events may occur in patients taking this drug irregularly or if daily administration is resumed after a drug-free interval.

Fatalities occurred in patients who continued or resumed treatment after the appearance of purpura.^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Alkaline phosphatase elevations, anorexia, serum uric acid elevations^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Conjunctivitis, visual disturbances^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Frequency not reported: Flu syndrome^[Ref]

Flu syndrome occurred in patients receiving intermittent regimens, but may occur in patients taking this drug irregularly or if daily administration is resumed after a drug-free interval.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Shortness of breath, wheezing^[Ref]

Shortness of breath and wheezing were included in flu syndrome, and occurred in patients receiving intermittent regimens; however, the events may occur in patients taking this drug irregularly or if daily administration is resumed after a drug-free interval.^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• How long do antibiotics affect birth control?

Further information

Rifampin 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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