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rifabutin – oral, Mycobutin
Medication Uses How To Use Side Effects Precautions Drug Interactions Overdose Notes Missed Dose Storage USES: This medication is used alone or with another medication to prevent a serious infection (Mycobacterium avium complex-MAC). Rifabutin is a rifamycin antibiotic. It stops the growth of bacteria. It treats and prevents bacterial infections, not viral infections (such as common cold, flu). Unnecessary or misuse of antibiotics can decrease effectiveness.OTHER This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling but may be prescribed by a health care professional. Use this drug for a condition listed in this section only if prescribed by a health care professional.This drug may also be used with other medications to treat active MAC infection and active tuberculosis (TB) infection. It may also be used alone or with another medication to prevent active TB infections in people who may be infected (people with positive TB skin test). HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once or twice daily or as directed by a doctor. Take with food if stomach upset occurs. For tuberculosis treatment, take twice weekly.Dosage is based on your medical condition, weight, interacting drugs, and treatment response.Antibiotics work best when the medicine level in your body is constant. Take at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take at the same time(s) each day.Continue until full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear. Stopping or skipping doses may allow bacteria to grow, making the infection more difficult to treat (resistant).Tell your doctor if condition persists or worsens. SIDE EFFECTS: Diarrhea, stomach upset, taste changes, or nausea/vomiting may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, tell a doctor or pharmacist immediately.This medication may cause urine, sweat, saliva, or tears to turn brown-orange. This effect is harmless and will disappear when the medication is stopped. However, dentures and contact lenses may be permanently stained.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell a doctor immediately if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: easy bleeding/bruising, signs of a new infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat/cough), muscle/joint pain, eye pain/redness, vision problems, chest pain/pressure, persistent nausea/vomiting, weakness/tiredness, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea). Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medications if symptoms are present. Tell a doctor immediately if persistent diarrhea, abdominal/stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in stool occur.A severe allergic reaction to this drug is rare. Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of a serious allergic reaction occur, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Contact a doctor or pharmacist for other effects not listed.In the US – Call a doctor for medical advice about side effects. Report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada – Call a doctor for medical advice about side effects. Report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking rifabutin, tell a doctor or pharmacist if allergic to it or other rifamycins (such as rifampin) or if there are any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to a pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell a doctor or pharmacist of medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, a certain blood disorder (porphyria).Before surgery, inform a doctor or dentist of all products used (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).Rifabutin may decrease the effectiveness of live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine). Therefore, do not have any immunizations/vaccinations while using this medication without a doctor’s consent.During pregnancy, use this medication only when necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with a doctor.It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Discuss the risks and benefits with a doctor before breastfeeding. If HIV-positive, do not breast-feed because breast milk can transmit HIV. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how medications work or increase the risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all products used (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share with a doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without a doctor’s approval.Products that may interact with this drug include: azole antifungals, ciprofloxacin, delavirdine, macrolide antibiotics.Rifabutin can speed up the removal of other medications from the body, which may affect how they work.Examples of affected drugs include: cyclosporine, lurasidone, phenytoin, ranolazine, tacrolimus, tasimelteon, "blood thinners", calcium channel blockers.This medication may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause pregnancy. Discuss with a doctor or pharmacist if additional reliable birth control methods should be used while using this medication. Also inform a doctor if there is any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding. OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents can call a provincial poison control center. NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Periodic laboratory and/or medical tests (such as liver function, complete blood count) should be done to monitor progress or check for side effects. Consult a doctor for more details.
QUESTION
MISSED DOSE: If a dose is missed, take it as soon as remembered. If close to the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume the usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up. STORAGE: Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult a pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard the product. Information last revised March 2014. Copyright(c) 2014 First Databank, Inc.
Related Disease Conditions
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
HIV infection can cause AIDS. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that can infect humans through contact with affected tissues or breaks in the skin. HIV infection is a progressive disease with three stages: primary infection, chronic asymptomatic infection, and symptomatic infection. The symptoms of symptomatic infection are caused by complications of AIDS, which include infections, weight loss, and cognitive decline. Drug therapy aims to prevent immune system damage and delay the progression of infection. The best drug combinations for HIV are those that effectively suppress viral replication and are well tolerated.
Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease (NTM)
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), most commonly M. avium complex or MAC, is a mycobacteria that causes lung infections. NTM is commonly found in soil, air, and water. Symptoms of NTM lung infection include chronic cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, malaise, and weakness. Treatment for NTM lung disease depends on the type and extent of the infection and the person’s health.
