Understanding Rifampicin

Precautions

Patients must review their medical history with their doctor before taking this medication. They must do so because rifampicin is not safe for everyone. Examples of such patients include those who have a history of liver disease, diabetes, or bleeding disorders. Women often cannot take this medication in the last few weeks of pregnancy. The risk is bleeding in them and their baby! Breastfeeding women cannot take this antibiotic either. Patients must also use more than hormonal birth control while they are taking this medication. The reason is that it reduces the effectiveness of this method! Patients need to wear glasses instead of soft contact lenses due to the risk of staining.

This medication causes issues with drug screening tests. It makes the results inaccurate! Thus, patients must inform doctors that they are on this medication when they need such a test. Regular blood tests while taking this medication is a major recommendation. Tests check for infection! Patients usually continue this medication until their infection has cleared. They must take the oral form of this antibiotic without food. Taking it one hour before or two hours after a meal are both acceptable! Both cases require a full glass of water. As always, patients must take the full course. This prevents antibiotic resistance!

Reveal the medication interactions next.