Has your doctor told you or someone in your family has Tuberculosis (TB)? If so, you may have been prescribed a medicine called Rifapentine. This is a very important antibiotic given for tuberculosis. But there are a few things we need to be careful about when using this medicine. Don't worry, let's talk about all this simply and clearly.
What is Rifapentine?
Simply put, Rifapentine is an antibiotic . It is mainly used to treat tuberculosis (TB) . This medicine is not usually given alone. To completely cure tuberculosis, doctors prescribe it in combination with one or more other anti-tuberculosis drugs.
Sometimes this medicine can be used for other conditions as well. If you have any questions about this, it's best to ask your doctor.
What should I tell the doctor before taking this medicine?
Before you start taking Rifapentine, it is important to tell your doctor this information. Do not hide these things, as it may affect your health.
- If you have any weaknesses or problems with your immune system .
- If you have or have had liver disease .
- If you have an allergic reaction to medications such as rifapentine, rifabutin, rifampin, or any other medicine, food, or preservative.
- If you are pregnant , or are expecting a baby soon.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
Based on this information, the doctor will determine the treatment that is most suitable for you.
How should I use the medicine?
This is also something that needs to be followed exactly.
- This medicine should be taken orally with a glass of water.
- Taking this medicine with food improves absorption.
- Take the medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor, at the time prescribed. Don't waste time .
- To be successful in tuberculosis treatment, do not skip any of your medications. Even if you feel a little better, do not stop taking your medication until your doctor tells you to. If you do, the tuberculosis germs can become resistant to this medication and even other medications (drug resistance). This is very dangerous.
- If you are giving this medicine to young children (over 2 years old), talk to your pediatrician about it and get advice.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What do you do if you miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
Rifapentine is a medication that can interact with many other medications, so it is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (medications for other conditions, vitamins, traditional medicines, herbs).
In particular, do not take Rifapentine with these medications: HIV medication, the antifungal voriconazole.
In addition, problems can also occur with the following medications:
- Birth control pills
- Medicines that prevent blood clotting (e.g. warfarin)
- Medication for diabetes
- Medications for depression and anxiety
- Sleeping pills
- Antifungals (e.g. fluconazole, ketoconazole)
- Some medications for heart disease (e.g. digoxin, diltiazem)
- Seizure medications (e.g. phenytoin)
- Painkillers (e.g. methadone)
- Types of steroids (e.g. prednisone, cortisone)
- Other antibiotics (e.g. ciprofloxacin, doxycycline)
- Thyroxine (levothyroxine)
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
Special points to be aware of when taking the medicine
- See your doctor regularly: Your doctor will need to see you regularly to monitor the progress of your treatment. He or she will also order things like blood tests .
- Be aware of your liver: This medication can sometimes cause liver damage. So be aware of the symptoms of liver problems (e.g., yellowing of the eyes and skin, dark urine, stomach pain).
- Avoid alcohol completely: Drinking alcohol while taking rifapentine increases the risk of serious liver damage.
- Diarrhea: If you have watery diarrhea that lasts for more than two days, do not take medication from the pharmacy and see a doctor.
- Birth control pills: This medication may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. So talk to your doctor about using another form of birth control (e.g. condoms).
- Antacids: Antacids used to treat heartburn can reduce the absorption of this medication. Therefore, an antacid should be taken one hour after taking Rifapentine.
- Discoloration of body fluids: This is something that many people are afraid of, but don't worry. This medication may cause your urine, stool, sweat, tears, and saliva to turn a reddish-orange or reddish-brown color. This is normal. However, if you wear soft contact lenses , this may cause permanent staining. Therefore, it is best not to wear contact lenses while taking this medication. Toothpaste may also stain.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medication, Rifapentine can cause side effects. Let's break them down into two categories.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| If you experience these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. | |
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Liver problems | Yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, loss of appetite. |
| Other serious symptoms | Headache, dizziness, fever, joint swelling or pain, red spots on the skin, difficulty urinating, unusual bruising or bleeding, extreme fatigue. |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Minor injuries | Diarrhea, headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache. |
Take-Home Message
- Rifapentine is an important antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis. Do not stop taking the medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
- Always take the medicine with food.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking the medication. This is very harmful to the liver.
- Don't worry if your urine, sweat, and tears turn red-orange. That's normal. But be careful if you wear contact lenses.
- If you are taking birth control pills, talk to your doctor about using another, safer method, as this medication may reduce its effectiveness.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including vitamins and Ayurvedic medicines) .
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