What is rifabutin?
Rifabutin is an antibiotic. It prevents bacteria from multiplying in your body.
Rifabutin is used to prevent mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in people with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. Rifabutin is also used with other medications to treat tuberculosis in people with HIV.
Rifabutin is often given together with other antibiotics.
Rifabutin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about rifabutin?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to rifabutin, rifapentine (Priftin), or rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rimactane, Rifamate).
Rifabutin should not be used without other antibiotics to prevent mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection in people with active tuberculosis. The tuberculosis may become resistant to treatment if rifabutin is used as a single medication. Be sure to take all your medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Rifabutin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Rifabutin can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking rifabutin.
Do not wear dentures or contact lenses while taking rifabutin. This medicine may discolor certain body fluids (including tears and saliva) with a red, orange, or brown color. While this is a harmless side effect, it may permanently stain dentures or contact lenses.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking rifabutin?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to rifabutin, rifapentine (Priftin), or rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rimactane, Rifamate).
Rifabutin should not be used without other antibiotics to prevent mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection in people with active tuberculosis. The tuberculosis may become resistant to treatment if rifabutin is used as a single medication. Be sure to take all your medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Before using rifabutin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take rifabutin. Your doctor will tell you if any of your medication doses need to be changed.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Rifabutin can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking rifabutin.
It is not known whether rifabutin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Rifabutin may cause a red-orange discoloration of breast milk.