Rifampin

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In medicine, rifampin, also called rifampicin, is "a semisynthetic antibiotic produced from Streptomyces mediterranei. It has a broad antibacterial spectrum, including activity against several forms of Mycobacterium. In susceptible organisms it inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity by forming a stable complex with the enzyme. It thus suppresses the initiation of RNA synthesis. Rifampin is bactericidal, and acts on both intracellular and extracellular organisms"[1]

Therapeutic uses

It is used both treatment and chemoprophylaxis of tuberculosis[2] and leprosy, as part of multidrug therapy with isoniazid.

Among its uses is the treatment of staphylococcus aureus.[3] For this purpose, rifampicin (10 mg/kg twice daily, maximum 900 mg twice daily), intravenously for the first week and then given orally, combined with cotrimoxazole (sulfamethoxazole 40 mg/kg/day, trimethoprim 8 mg/kg/day).

The drug is also used for the chemoprophylaxis of Neisseria meningitidis meningococcal meningitis.

Negative research

A trial of its use for preventing Hemophilus influenzae infection did not suggest it was effective.[4]

External links

The most up-to-date information about Rifampin and other drugs can be found at the following sites.

References