Rifampicin

• Tuberculosis: Adults 10 mg/kg bw/day p.o. or i.v. (the daily dose is generally 600 mg; 450 mg should not be below and 750 mg should not be exceeded.
• Children and adolescents: 10 mg/day/kg bw (not more than 450 mg/day). Infants > 3 months and toddlers: 15 mg/day kg bw.
• Premature and newborn babies and infants < 3 months 10 mg/kg bw p.o. only under strictest indication.

Remember! Treatment of active tuberculosis during pregnancy in combination with ethambutol and isoniazid is generally possible (information about potential risk of malformation during early pregnancy). When used in late pregnancy: risk of postnatal bleeding in mother and newborn: substitution with vitamin K!

• Tuberculoid leprosy: 0.6 g RMP once/month combined with 0.1 g DADPS/day for at least 6 months.
• Lepromatous leprosy, borderline leprosy: as above, combined with clofazimine 0.05 g/day plus 0.3 g/month.

• Flu-like syndrome (skin reactions, upper abdominal discomfort, drug fever, chills, muscle and joint pain, rarely interstitial nephritis, hemolytic anemia, anaphylactic reactions).
• Cutaneous UAWs: pruritus, maculopapular exanthema, urticaria, red man syndrome, allergic reactions; pemphigus disease, discoloration of skin and hair (yellow/orange).
• Also: dyspnea, yellow discoloration of contact lenses, BB changes, menstrual disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, transaminase increase, cholestasis, red coloration of urine, headache, dizziness.

Major drug interactions of rifampicin