Rifapentine

Rifapentine treats active and latent tuberculosis. May produce a red-orange discoloration of bodily fluids.

Rifapentine Overview

Updated: 

Rifapentine is a prescription medication used to treat active and latent tuberculosis. Rifapentine belongs to a group of medications called antibiotics which work by killing or slowing the growth of bacteria that cause infections.

Rifapentine is available as a tablet and is usually taken 1 to 2 times per week, with food. The number of times a week you take your medication will depend on what point of therapy you are at and it you are treating active or latent tuberculosis.

Common side effects of rifapentine include change in blood counts, joint pain, headache, vomiting, and nausea.

How was your experience with Rifapentine?

First, a little about yourself

Tell us about yourself in a few words?

What tips would you provide a friend before taking Rifapentine?

What are you taking Rifapentine for?

Choose one
  • Other
  • Mycobacterium Infections
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

How long have you been taking it?

Choose one
  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Rifapentine work for you?

Did you experience many side effects while taking this drug?

How likely would you be to recommend Rifapentine to a friend?

Rifapentine Cautionary Labels

Back to Top
precautionsprecautionsprecautionsprecautionsprecautions

Uses of Rifapentine

Back to Top

Rifapentine is used to treat active and latent tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Rifapentine will be given with another anti-tuberculosis medication.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Rifapentine Brand Names

Back to Top

Rifapentine may be found in some form under the following brand names:

Rifapentine Drug Class

Back to Top

Rifapentine is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Rifapentine

Back to Top

Serious side effects have been reported with rifapentine. See "Rifapentine Precautions" section.

Common side effects of rifapentine include:

  • decreased blood cell counts
  • increase in liver function test
  • joint pain
  • headache
  • vomiting
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • rash
  • itching

This is not a complete list of rifapentine side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

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