Rifampin

Paul G. Auwaerter, M.D., Edina Avdic, Pharm.D.

INDICATIONS

All forms of tuberculosis.
Treatment of asymptomatic carriers of Neisseria meningitidis to eliminate meningococci from the nasopharynx.
Rifampin is used to reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and other antibacterial drugs--used only to treat or prevent infections proven or strongly suggested to be caused by bacteria.

Anthrax infections
Bartonella infections
Brucellosis
H. influenzae disease, chemoprophylaxis after close contact with a patient with invasive disease
Legionella infections
Meningitis caused by penicillin and ceftriaxone-resistantS. pneumoniae
N. meningitidis, chemoprophylaxis after close contact with a patient with invasive disease
Non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections (e.g., leprosy, MAC)
Prosthetic joint infections following debridement and retention of the prosthesis or 1-stage exchange.
Prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by staphylococci in combination with other agents (e.g., oxacillin/nafcillin, vancomycin) after blood cultures have cleared.
Q-fever and rickettsial infections
- Used mainly in pregnant women
NOTE: Rifampin is usually used in combination with other agents due to the quick emergence of resistance if used as monotherapy.

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