Health Library

Rifapentine (By mouth)

Rifapentine (rif-a-PEN-teen)

Treats active or latent tuberculosis (TB).

Brand Name(s):

Priftin

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• If you take this medicine 2 times each week, wait at least 3 days (72 hours) between each dose.
• It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
• Swallow the tablet whole. If you cannot swallow it whole, you may crush and add it to a small amount of semi-solid food. Take all of it right away and do not store for later use.
• Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• There are many other drugs that can interact with rifapentine. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are using, especially the following:
  • Clofibrate, cyclosporine, diazepam, digoxin, haloperidol, phenobarbital, sildenafil, tacrolimus, theophylline
  • Birth control pills (including ethinyl estradiol, levonorgestrel, progestin)
  • Blood pressure medicine (including beta blockers, calcium channel blockers)
  • Blood thinner (including warfarin)
  • Medicine for heart rhythm problems (including disopyramide, mexiletine, quinidine, tocainide)
  • Medicine to treat depression (including TCAs)
  • Medicine to treat HIV infection
  • Medicine to treat infection (including chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, dapsone, doxycycline, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, quinine)
  • Medicine to treat seizures (including phenytoin)
  • Narcotic pain medicine (including methadone)
  • Oral diabetes medicine (including glipizide, glyburide)
  • Steroid medicine
  • Thyroid medicine (including levothyroxine)
• Birth control pills may not work properly if you take them while you are using rifapentine. Use a non-hormonal form of birth control (including condoms, spermicide) while you are using rifapentine. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, HIV infection, or porphyria (enzyme problem).
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Liver problems
  • Serious skin reactions, including drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which can damage organs, including the liver, kidneys, or heart
  • Worsening of porphyria
• This medicine may cause your skin, teeth, or tongue to turn a reddish-orange color. Your tears, saliva, urine, or bowel movements may also become reddish-orange. Your contact lenses or dentures could become permanently discolored.
• This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.
• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Coughing or spitting up blood
• Dark urine, pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes, sensitivity of the skin to the sun
• Diarrhea that may contain blood
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, swollen glands
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Back pain
• Headache

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024