What is this drug used for?
1. It is used to stop the spread of meningitis in people who carry the bacteria but are not sick with the disease.
2. It is used to treat TB (tuberculosis).
3. It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk to your doctor.

How is this drug best taken?
1. Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
2. Do not take antacids within 1 hour of this drug.

Warning and caution！
What should I tell my doctor before taking this medicine?
1. If you have an allergy to rifampin or any other part of this drug.
2. If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
3. If you take any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with this drug, like certain drugs that are used for HIV, infections, or depression. There are many drugs that must not be taken with this drug. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you if you are taking a drug that must not be taken with this drug.
4. If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.
5. This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
6. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What do I need to know or do to take this medicine
1. Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
2. Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk to the doctor.
3. This drug may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take this drug.
4. Talk to your doctor before you drink alcohol.
5. If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
6. A severe and sometimes deadly reaction has happened. Most of the time, this reaction has signs like fever, rash, or swollen glands with problems in body organs like the liver, kidney, blood, heart, muscles, and joints, or lungs. If you have questions, talk to the doctor.
7. If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
8. Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Use some other kind of birth control also like a condom when taking this drug. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this drug while you are pregnant.
9. It can cause your urine and sweat to have an orange or reddish color. This is completely harmless –it is nothing for you to worry about.
10. If you wear soft contact lenses please be aware that rifampicin can cause your lenses to become discolored or stained you may want to discuss this with your doctor or optician.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
1. Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin
2. Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
3. Feeling very tired or weak.
4. Feeling confused.
5. Dizziness or passing out.
6. Flu-like signs.
7. Fever or chills.
8. Sore throat.
9. Swollen gland.
10. Joint pain or swelling.
11. Muscle pain or weakness.
12. Shortness of breath.
13. Chest pain.
14. Cough.
15. Sweating a lot.
16. A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
17. Swelling in the arms or legs.
18. Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
19. Purple spots or redness of the skin.
20. Change in balance.
21. Not able to focus.
22. Period (menstrual) changes.
23. Change in eyesight, eye pain, or very bad eye irritation.
24. Change in tooth color. These changes may be long-lasting.

What do I do if I miss a dose?
All oral products:
1. Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
2. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
3. Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Storage conditions

1. Store at room temperature.
2. Protect from heat and light.
3. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.

Reference:
1. Rifampin Capsules Package Insert
2. Applied Pharmaceutical Practice（2009）
3. Up to date