Rifapentine tablets

What is this medication?

RIFAPENTINE (RIF a pen teen) is an antibiotic. It is used to treat of tuberculosis (TB). This medicine is never used alone for tuberculosis, but in combination with at least one other agent.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Priftin

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

•immune system problems

•liver disease

•an unusual or allergic reaction to rifapentine, rifabutin, rifampin, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives

•pregnant or trying to get pregnant

•breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. For your therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine even if you feel better. Skipping doses may make the TB resistant to this medicine and other medicines. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

•medicines for HIV

•voriconazole

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

•antifungal medicines like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole

•barbituates, like phenobarbital

•birth control pills

•clofibrate

•cyclosporine

•levothyroxine

•medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin

•medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

•medicines for sleep

•oral medicines for diabetes

•quinine

•sildenafil

•some antibiotics like chloramphenicol, clarithromycin, dapsone, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin

•some medicines for heart rhythm problems like disopyramide, mexiletine, quinidine, tocainide

•some heart medicines like digoxin, diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil

•some medicines for seizures like phenytoin

•some prescription pain medications like methadone

•steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone

•tacrolimus

•theophylline

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need to have blood work done regularly while you are taking this medicine. This medicine can cause serious liver problems. Make sure you understand the risks for liver problems and how to identify the symptoms. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or other health care provider.

Avoid alcoholic drinks while you are taking this medicine. Drinking alcohol during treatment with this medicine increases the risk of serious liver problems.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

You may need to take a vitamin B6 supplement while you are taking this medicine. Discuss the foods you eat and the vitamins you take with your health care professional.

Birth control pills may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about using an extra method of birth control.

Antacids may reduce the absorption of this medicine. Doses of this medicine should be given at least 1 hour before taking antacids.

This medicine can color your urine, feces (stool), perspiration (sweat), tears, sputum, skin or saliva reddish-orange to reddish-brown. This color can last for as long as you take this medicine and is not a cause for alarm. This color in tears may permanently stain soft contact lenses. It is better not to wear soft contact lenses while you are taking this medicine. This medicine may stain dentures.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

•allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

•dark urine

•felling faint, dizzy

•fever

•loss of appetite

•pain or swelling of the joints

•pinpoint red spots on the skin

•trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

•unusual bleeding, bruising

•unusually weak or tired

•yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

•diarrhea

•headache

•nausea, vomiting

•stomach pain

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from heat and moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.