Rifampin to Prevent Meningitis

What is rifampin?

Rifampin is a medicine called an antibiotic. Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent certain types of infections caused by the germs called bacteria.

Rifampin is used to prevent meningitis in people who have been in close contact with a person who has meningitis.

You may hear rifampin called by its brand names, Rofact or Rifadin. Rifampin comes in a capsule. A liquid form of rifampin can be specially made by your pharmacy.

Before taking this medicine or giving rifampin to your child

Tell your doctor if you/your child have:

• hypersensitivity to rifampin or any other medicine

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you/your child have the following condition. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if you/your child have:

• liver disease

How should you take this medicine or give your child rifampin?

• Take rifampin or give your child rifampin for as long as your doctor ordered, even if you or your child feels well. Talk to your doctor before stopping rifampin for any reason.
• Take or give rifampin at the same time every day, exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you. Pick a time that is easy for you and your child so that you do not miss doses.
• Swallow the capsule whole.
  
• Take or give rifampin on an empty stomach with a full glass of water, 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after meals.
• If rifampin upsets your/your child's stomach, you may take/give it with a small glass of milk or a snack.
• If your child cannot swallow the capsule whole, you may open the capsule and mix the powder with a small amount of applesauce or jelly.
• If your child is taking liquid rifampin, measure the dose with the special spoon or syringe that the pharmacist gave you.

What should you do if you/your child miss a dose of rifampin?

• Take/give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take/give the next dose at the regular time.
• Do not take/give your child 2 doses to make up for 1 missed dose.

What are the possible side effects of rifampin?

You/your child may have some of these side effects while taking rifampin. Check with your doctor if you/your child continue to have any of these side effects, and they do not go away, or they bother you/your child:

• upset stomach or throwing up
• stomach cramps
• diarrhea

Call your doctor during office hours if your child has any of these side effects:

• a new fever or a fever that does not get better
• chills
• a new sore throat or a sore throat that does not go away
• headache
• skin rash
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• pain in the muscles or bone
• loss of appetite
• yellow skin or eyes
• urinating less or less often

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your doctor right away or go/take your child to Emergency if you/your child have any of these side effects:

• unusual bruising or bleeding
• problems breathing
• bloody or cloudy urine

What safety measures should you take when you/your child is using rifampin?

There are some medicines that should not be taken together with rifampin, or in some cases the dose of rifampin or the other medicine may need to be adjusted. It is very important that you tell your doctor and pharmacist if you/your child take any other medications (prescription, over-the-counter, natural, or herbal products).

Keep a list of all medications you/your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.

Keep all appointments at the clinic or doctor's office so that the doctor can check your/your child's response to rifampin. The doctor may need to change the dose so that you/your child are getting the right amount.

What other important information should you know about rifampin?

• Your child's body fluids such as urine, bowel movements, sweat, tears, and spit may become a red-orange colour. This is a harmless effect of rifampin. The red-orange colour will go away after stopping rifampin.
• Your child's sweat may stain light-coloured clothing, and contact lenses may become permanently stained. Do not wear soft contact lenses while taking rifampin.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Keep rifampin capsules and liquid at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do NOT store it in the bathroom or kitchen.
  

Keep rifampin out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much rifampin, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.