Rifapentine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 22, 2025.

Applies to rifapentine: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of rifapentine

Along with its needed effects, rifapentine 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 rifapentine:

More common side effects

• black, tarry stools
• chills
• cough
• coughing up blood
• fever
• hoarseness
• lower back or side pain
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• skin rash
• sore throat
• trouble breathing with exertion
• ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common side effects

• bleeding gums
• blood in the urine or stools
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• excessive tearing of the eye
• eye pain
• fast heartbeat
• general feeling of illness
• headache
• hives, itching
• irritation
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• loss of appetite
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• redness of the skin
• swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
• swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
• tightness in the chest
• trouble breathing or swallowing
• weight loss

Rare side effects

• anxiety
• bloating
• blue or pale skin
• burning feeling in the chest or stomach
• burning, tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
• chest pain, possibly moving to the left arm, neck, or shoulder
• cloudy or dark urine
• cold sweat
• collection of blood under the skin
• confusion
• constipation
• deep, dark purple bruise
• dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• heartburn
• indigestion
• itching in the genital or other skin areas
• lack or loss of strength
• light-colored stools
• muscle pain
• nausea
• noisy breathing
• pain in the lower back or side
• pain or burning in the throat
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• right upper stomach pain and fullness
• scaling of the skin
• seizures
• stabbing pain
• stomach upset
• tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, skin discoloration, and prominent superficial veins over the affected area
• thick, white vaginal discharge with mild or no odor
• thickening of bronchial secretions
• thirst
• vaginal bleeding
• voice changes
• vomiting
• yellow skin or eyes

Incidence not known

• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• diarrhea
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• sensitivity of the skin to the sun
• thinning of the skin

Other side effects of rifapentine

Some side effects of rifapentine 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:

More common side effects

• increased sweating

Less common side effects

• belching
• difficulty in moving

Rare side effects

• discoloration of the skin
• drowsiness

For healthcare professionals

Applies to rifapentine: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most common side effects with the regimen for active pulmonary tuberculosis included anemia, lymphopenia, hemoptysis, neutropenia, cough, thrombocytosis, increased sweating, increased ALT, increased AST, back pain, rash, anorexia, arthralgia, increased blood urea, and headache. The most common side effect with the regimen for latent tuberculosis infection was hypersensitivity reaction.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Tachycardia, palpitation, orthostatic hypotension, pericarditis, hematoma, thrombosis, flushing, hypotension^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased sweating/hyperhidrosis, rash, pruritus/itching, maculopapular rash
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Skin reaction
• Frequency not reported: Purpura, urticaria, skin discoloration, angioedema
• Postmarketing reports: Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms [DRESS] syndrome)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, dyspepsia, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
• Frequency not reported: Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea, gastritis, esophagitis, pancreatitis, salivary gland enlargement, constipation, dry mouth, esophageal irritation^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Hematuria, vaginitis, vaginal hemorrhage, leukorrhea, vulvovaginal candidiasis, vulvovaginal pruritus^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Anemia (up to 11.4%), lymphopenia (up to 10.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Neutropenia, thrombocytosis, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, lymphadenopathy
• Frequency not reported: Leukopenia, lymphocytosis^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased ALT, increased AST, hepatotoxicity
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatitis
• Frequency not reported: Bilirubinemia, hepatomegaly, jaundice^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity/hypersensitivity reaction (including hypotension, urticaria, angioedema, acute bronchospasm, conjunctivitis; OR weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, aches, sweats, dizziness, shortness of breath, flushing, chills)
• Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia
• Frequency not reported: Hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, gout, hyperkalemia, decreased appetite, hyperlipidemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, arthralgia
• Frequency not reported: Arthritis, myalgia/muscle pain, myositis, rhabdomyolysis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness
• Frequency not reported: Somnolence, convulsion, paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy, syncope^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Conjunctivitis^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Fever/pyrexia
• Frequency not reported: Increased alkaline phosphatase, asthenia, facial edema, fungal infection, abortion, death, fatigue, chest pain, chills, feeling jittery, viral infection, aches, body fluid discoloration, weakness, influenza-like syndrome

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Anxiety, confusion, depression, disorientation, suicidal ideation^[Ref]

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased blood urea
• Frequency not reported: Azotemia^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Hemoptysis, coughing/cough
• Frequency not reported: Dysphonia, dyspnea/shortness of breath, pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, bronchospasm, laryngeal edema, laryngitis, pharyngitis, oropharyngeal pain, bronchial hyperactivity, epistaxis, acute bronchospasm^[Ref]

Further information

Rifapentine 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.

Medical Disclaimer