Product Details

What you need to know before you take Rifadin Capsules

Do not take Rifadin Capsules if: Í You are allergic (hypersensitive) to – rifampicin – any of the other ingredients of the Rifadin Capsules (see Section 6) Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue Í You have yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) Í You are taking saquinavir or ritonavir for an HIV infection (see ‘Other medicines and Rifadin Capsules’ below) Do not take if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Rifadin Capsules. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Rifadin Capsules if: p You have liver problems p You have any kidney problems and if you are having more than 600mg rifampicin per day p You have diabetes. Your diabetes may become more difficult to control while taking this medicine p You feel numb or weak in your arms and legs (peripheral neuropathy) p You are under weight or malnourished p You have a rare blood problem called ‘porphyria’ pYou have a problem with bleeding or a tendency to bruise easily p You have a history of lung inflammation (interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis) pYour symptoms of tuberculosis return or get worse (see section 4 Possible side effects) p You develop a rash or experience any symptoms of thrombotic microangiopathy during your treatment (see section 4 Possible side effects) p You wear contact lenses. Taking Rifadin Capsules may permanently stain soft contact lenses p The person taking this medicine is a child p You are aged 65 years or older If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Rifadin Capsules. Lung inflammation Inform your doctor immediately while taking this medicine if you develop new or sudden worsening of shortness of breath, possibly with a dry cough or fever not responding to antibiotic treatment. These could be symptoms of lung inflammation (interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis) and can lead to serious breathing problems due to collection of fluid in the lungs and interfere with normal breathing which can lead to life threatening conditions. Liver problems You should not take rifampicin, a component of Rifadin Capsules, if you have previously taken any rifampicin containing medicinal product and had liver problems. If you are unsure talk to your doctor. Inflammation of the liver has been reported in patients taking rifampicin with symptoms developing within a few days to a few months following the start of treatment. Stop using rifampicin and contact a doctor if you have symptoms of liver problems (see section 4 Possible side effects). Serious skin reactions Serious skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) have been reported with the use of Rifadin Capsules. • SJS/TEN can appear initially as reddish target spots or circular patches often with central blisters on the trunk. Also, ulcers of mouth, throat, nose, genitals and eyes (red and swollen eyes) can occur. These serious skin rashes are often preceded by fever and/or flu-like symptoms. The rashes may progress to widespread peeling of the skin and life-threatening complications or be fatal. • DRESS appears initially as flu-like symptoms and a rash on the face then an extended rash with a high body temperature, increased levels of liver enzymes seen in blood tests and an increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophilia) and enlarged lymph nodes. • AGEP appears at the initiation of treatment as a red, scaly widespread rash with bumps under the skin and blisters accompanied by fever. The most common location: mainly localized on the skin folds, trunk, and upper extremities. The highest risk for occurrence of serious skin reactions is within 2 days to 2 months after treatment initiation depending on the condition. If you develop a serious rash or another of these skin symptoms, stop taking Rifadin Capsules and contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately. Blood Tests Your doctor will need to check your blood before you take this medicine. This will help your doctor know if any changes happen to your blood after taking this medicine. You may also need to have regular blood tests to check how your liver is working. Other medicines and Rifadin Capsules Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines you buy without a prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because Rifadin Capsules can affect the way some other medicines work. Also, some medicines can affect the way Rifadin Capsules work. In particular, do not take this medicine, and tell your doctor, if you are taking: • Saquinavir or ritonavir used for HIV infection The following medicines can make Rifadin Capsules work less well: • Antacids used for indigestion. Take Rifadin Capsules at least 1 hour before taking antacids • Other medicines used for TB such as P-aminosalicyclic acid (PAS). PAS and Rifadin Capsules should be taken at least 8 hours apart Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: Heart and blood medicines • Medicines for high blood pressure • Medicines for heart problems or to control your heartbeat • Medicines used to thin the blood such as warfarin and clopidogrel • Medicines used to lower cholesterol • Water tablets (diuretics) such as eplerenone Mental health, epilepsy and motor neurone medicines • Medicines for thought disorders known as ‘antipsychotics’ such as haloperidol • Medicines to calm or reduce anxiety (hypnotics, anxiolytics) • Medicines to help you sleep (barbiturates) • Medicines used for epilepsy such as phenytoin • Some medicines used for depression such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline • Riluzole – used for motor neurone disease Medicines for infections and the immune system • Some medicines used for viral infections such as indinavir, efavirenz, amprenavir, nelfinavir, atazanavir, lopinavir, neviparine, daclatasvir, simeprevir, sofosbuvir and telaprevir • Medicines used for fungal infections • Medicines used for bacterial infections (antibiotics) • Dapsone (an antibiotic) with rifampicin may cause haematological toxicity including a decrease in bone marrow and blood cells, and methaemoglobinaemia (decrease in oxygen in your blood caused by changes in red blood cells) • Medicines used for lowering your immune system such as ciclosporin, sirolimus and tacrolimus • Praziquantel – used for tapeworm infections • Atovaquone – used for pneumonia Hormone and cancer medicines • Some hormone medicines (oestrogen, systemic hormones, progestogens) used for contraception or some types of cancer such as ethinyloestradiol, levonorgestrel or dydrogesterone • Some hormone medicines (anti-oestrogens) used for breast cancer or endometriosis such as tamoxifen, toremifene and gestrinone • Some medicines used for cancer (cytotoxics) such as imatinib • Levothyroxine (thyroid hormone) used for thyroid problems • Irinotecan – used for cancer Pain, inflammation and gout medicines • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as etoricoxib, aspirin and indomethacin • Medicines used for pain such as codeine, morphine, fentanyl or pethidine • Paracetamol and rifampicin can increase the risk of liver damage • Corticosteroids used for inflammation such as hydrocortisone, betamethasone and prednisolone • Methadone – used for heroin withdrawal Other medicines • Medicines used for diabetes • Medicines used to relax muscles before surgery (anaesthetics) such as halothane • Some medicines used for feeling sick or being sick such as ondansetron and aprepitant • Other antibiotic medicines such as cefazolin • Quinine – used for malaria • Theophylline – used for wheezing or difficulty in breathing Taking Rifadin Capsules with food and drink Take Rifadin Capsules on an empty stomach. This means at least 30 minutes before food or 2 hours after food. Pregnancy and breast-feeding Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, plan to get pregnant or think you are pregnant. Rifadin Capsules may make the contraceptive “pill” work less well. This means you should change to a different type of contraception. Instead, you must use a reliable barrier method of contraception such as condoms or the “coil” while taking Rifadin Capsules. If you have any questions or are unsure about this talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You should not breast-feed if you are taking Rifadin Capsules. This is because small amounts may pass into the mothers’ milk. If you are breastfeeding or planning to breast-feed, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.

Driving and using machines You may feel dizzy or faint, have problems with vision or have other side effects that could affect your ability to drive while taking this medicine. If this happens, do not drive or use any tools or machines